Pain After Rib Remodeling Surgery

Most patients report that they stop taking the pain medication about 2 to 3 days after the procedure.

But at two weeks after rib remodeling, pain is still very noticeable. Sleeping is especially difficult in a tight corset — it feels uncomfortable, and rest is limited to just 3–4 hours per night. Patients often describe that when trying to get out of bed, the ribs “jolt,” creating a very intense, sharp sensation. Twisting or lying flat makes it feel as if something could “snap,” since the ribs were cracked during surgery. Wearing the corset adds extra pressure, sometimes causing a burning or carpet-burn-like sensation on the skin.

Deep breaths can be uncomfortable, and coughing or sneezing is particularly painful — surgeons even advise hugging a pillow against the stomach to reduce the impact on the ribs. Overall, the recovery is described as a constant soreness with moments of sharp pain, but patients also note that gradual adjustments of the corset are part of the process and help achieve the desired waist reduction despite the discomfort.

Pain After Rib Remodeling Surgery: Patient Answers

How painful is the recovery from rib reshaping surgery?

Reddit users describe the recovery process as intensely painful initially, but note that symptoms often improve significantly after the first week:

“As someone who had this exact surgery three months ago, I can tell you the intercostal pain was excruciating when I first got the surgery, but after the first week, it was manageable, and I no longer experience shortness of breath. Though that took a couple months. No long-term pain.” 

Is wearing a corset uncomfortable?

Yes, the corset can be quite uncomfortable at first, but patients tend to adapt:

“The recovery is hell… wearing tightly laced corset 24/7 for 3 months. It's painful, it's uncomfortable, it's very-very long time… With all that said, I’m happy with my results. Just want people to consider this surgery realistically.” 

How does the pain evolve over time?

Many users liken the pain to a severe muscle ache or overexertion from intense exercise:

“Right after surgery I didn’t feel much, was a bit sore but they put a nerve block to suppress pain… Around hour 10 it hit and it is a very sore feeling. The best description I found was like having had a very rigorous workout for the first time after not having worked out for 2 years and then multiply that by 3.” 

Are sneezing and coughing particularly painful?

Yes — involving core muscles during sneezing or coughing can be surprisingly painful:

“It also hurts a lot to sneeze and a little to cough. At time of writing, 20 days after surgery…”

Read more: Corsets, Pain and Scars: Honest Patient Experiences After Rib Reshaping Surgery