Headline: Barbie’s real-world competitors
By Swapna Tarafdar
Women get their ribs reshaped to look youthful, stay ahead of their contemporaries
How far would you go to look slim?
The pressure to have a “size zero waist” has gone to such an extent that measures such as controlling diet, exercise are passe now.
In a first-of-its-kind procedure in India, doctors are using a new medical technique that gives you a body shape similar to a barbie doll. “This procedure is called RibXcar technique. It’s a method that gives a person ultra slim hourglass shape waistline with minimal invasive surgery, leaving no ugly scars. The procedure gets over in 45 minutes and the person undergoing this treatment can get back to normal life within a week,” Dr. Amit Gupta, who runs this specialised clinic in Delhi, said.
Founder of Divine Cosmetic Surgery in India, Dr Gupta is the first certified plastic surgeon in the country to introduce the scarless “Barbie Waist” or RIBXCAR rib remodelling technique after getting trained under Dr. Alexis Delobaux, a prominent cosmetic and plastic surgeon based in Paris, France.
The RibXcar procedure is a minimally invasive surgical procedure designed to reduce the waistline by working on lower ribs without removing them.
Unlike traditional rib removal surgery, which involves extracting bones permanently, RibXcar uses ultrasound guidance to reposition some ribs inward, creating a more sculpted, defined, pinched waistline.
Dr Gupta said the present generation is fascinated with toned bodies. “As the name suggest Xscar means no scar. This procedure has no risk at all. The patient has to first undergo a 3D CT scan for the chest. We then know which ribs are to be taken care of and ensure there is no harm to lungs or organs around the ribs.”
Speaking from Paris, Dr Delobaux added, “There are different ways of addressing the ribs. This is the only technique that leaves no scar. Earlier we removed ribs. So, it was a big cut in the back. What we do is little holes in the rib. Once we have done enough holes on the ribs we press on the rib and create a fracture. It’s not a complete fracture. The bones are not detached. Still attached. Then with the pressure of the corset, you have a different shape in your rib. That is why you have to keep the corset for three months and then the rib will consolidate.”
Dr Gupta said, “We started offering this surgical procedure just five to six months back in India. At least eight women (25 to 40 years age) have undergone this procedure. A 60-year-old woman from Thailand will undergo this procedure soon.
Dr Delobaux added, “The minimum requirement for the surgery is that the patient must not be overweight else we do not proceed. And if you have saggy skin we don’t go ahead with the procedure. So, those interested must have a BMI of around 28 to be fit to undergo this procedure.”.
Dr Gupta cautioned that anybody who has heart-related ailments, lung disease and weak bones cannot undergo this surgery. Talking about post surgical precautions, Dr Delobaux said, “The first three months the corset must be on 24X7. You only remove it just remove for the shower. If you don’t wear the garment, your ribs will come back to the normal place. Because you breathe and when you do so your ribs are opening. And we do a scan before and three months after the surgery to see that the bone is correctly healed.”
As part of post-procedure precaution, Dr Delobaux said that “gym is not allowed for six months and they have to wear a special pressure garment for next six months”.
Dr Delobaux said that some people look skinny but have large, wide chest. “They want to reduce the waist size but they have no fat to get rid of. “So, there this medical procedure comes to their aid.”
People from across the globe including India have undergone the procedure in Dr Delobaux’s clinic. “Some Indian celebrities too. I have had patients from Australia, US, many countries in Europe including UK and Netherland amongst others.
He claimed that this surgery can reduce waist size by 14-16cm. “So that’s a lot. You see a dramatic change in the body. A patient even reduced 22cm. Minimum is around 6 cm. This surgery usually takes around 60 minutes. We have even transgenders opting for this surgery. The cost of the surgery depends on the number of ribs that we are working on and the procedures that the person undergoes to get the barbie waist.”
At Dr Delobaux’s clinic in Paris, the treatment will cost up to € 20,000 (₹ 2,168,000)
Dr Jaya Sukul, a clinical psychologist and founder of Headspace Healing in Noida said, “The body is the most important part of an individual’s identity. Fifty percent of girls and young women are unhappy with their body shape and size. They have low self-esteem, suffer from eating disorders. Women prefer to look slim because as a society we feel that being thin means being pretty, successful, and accepted. They use phone filters so that they look cool to the world. Women wish they look like their edited photos in real life. Social media platforms have changed the way you present yourself to the world. Looking good brings likes and compliments. Plastic surgeons now go by what patients want on how they look on social media.”
Some key medical procedures:
Rhinoplasty (nose job): Reshaping the nose bridge
Lip and Dermal fillers: Used to add volume or alter the shape of lips and cheeks
Botox and Neuromodulators: Injected to minimise fine lines, smooth wrinkles, and maintain a tight, youthful look
Jawline Contouring and Chin Augmentation: Enhancing the lower face structure for a more chiselled or defined profile
Breast Augmentation: Enhancing or altering breast shape and size.
Hair Transplants: Preferred by those who have a receding hairline or thinning hair
