10 September, 2026 -With ABC News 

Growing interest in rib contouring surgery has prompted discussion about patient safety, appropriate screening and the influence of social media on cosmetic surgery decisions.

Rib contouring is a surgical procedure intended to alter the shape of the lower ribs and create a narrower-looking waist. Performed under general anaesthesia, the procedure involves weakening and repositioning the lower ribs. This is then followed by an extended period wearing a compression garment.

As with any surgical procedure, rib contouring carries risks. Potential complications include pneumothorax, commonly known as a collapsed lung, and haemothorax, where blood collects between the chest wall and the lungs.

In a joint statement provided to ABC News, the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons clarified that individual procedures, including rib contouring, are not specifically approved or regulated by Ahpra. Hospitals are responsible for credentialing surgeons to perform particular procedures, while practitioners and the advertising of health services remain subject to Australian regulation.

Australian health advertising laws prohibit the use of patient testimonials and require advertising to accurately represent the risks of a procedure.

ASPS member Dr Justin Perron, one of the first plastic surgeons in Australia trained to perform rib contouring, also spoke with ABC News about the procedure. He emphasised the importance of rigorous patient screening and encouraged people considering surgery to seek information from credible medical sources rather than relying on social media.

Read the full ABC News article

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