What surgeon do I need to see to shorten my torso?

[Riley Skye]

The only thing that I could find was this

http://www.realself.com/question/extreme-plastic-surgery-narrow-shoulders-rib-cage

I have a huge ribcage and manly broad shoulders I know that wearing a corset will help but I don't want to wait that much longer.The problem with my ribcage/shoulder width is that I have trouble finding clothes that fit I want to be a XS size(but right now I have to buy XL size(those are the sizes in my country)) I also suffer from Pectus Excavatum

I had a problem before with another question where an user called me troll but I'm NOT one I just want answers to my question(and definitely OUR questions since I'm sure I'm not the only one asking for this)

Unfortunately there is no way to do it, once your skeleton matures after puburty there isn't anything you can do but HRT will cause you to lose muscle and redistribute fat. You'll have a softer and more feminine look. Just let hormones do their work and you'll get better

[androgynouspainter26]

You don't want to mess around with corsets or having surgery on your ribs; as someone who would need that to get a good figure, I've heard far to many horror stories.  Just wear clothes that are flattering for your figure, and you might be ok.  You'd be surprised what an A-line can do for you!

[katiej]

Just wear clothes that are flattering for your figure, and you might be ok.  You'd be surprised what an A-line can do for you!

I just said the exact same thing to someone else in another thread! 

Most women learn how to dress for their body types, as very few of them have the classic hourglass shape.  So we have to learn to do the same thing.  I'm a size 16/XL up top and a size 12-14/L on the bottom, so most dresses don't look good on me.  But an a-line skirt gives the illusion of curves.  And when paired with a cardigan or loose top, I can also hide my waist.  I also feel super cute in a flowy a-line skirt.

[victoria n]

you have to see a real doctor not a quack , who knows about  PE conditions  and knows how to treat it.
  messing with bone structure is risky. and a corset could make things worse for you.

[eliza2014]

Just to throw in some extra thoughts. The story isn't just about the rib cage, it's the lungs and heart underneath. It isn't a simple matter to dive in and shrink the rib cage. You have 10 ribs directly encompassing the heart and lungs and two lower ribs that provide support to some muscles. Taking out the lower ribs would affect the lungs, the diaphragm and heart as well. I am sure many have issues with breathing afterwards. Infection, pneumothorax, pain and rib regrowth are all very real possibilities. The rib cage is incredibly complex from an anatomy and physiological standpoint.

I too suffer with a large rib cage, but, for me at least, I am working more on the acceptance then the ability to change it. The more research I put into trying to change it, the more frustrated I become and I have learned to either wait for the technology to catch up and/or magic potions/devices to solve all the problems....

However, as was said before the options are corset training, fat redistribution, clothing and some pretty invasive surgical procedures.

[HelloKitty]

My doctor told me that waist training corsets are safe, IF:

1) You don't rush it. Reduce size slowly over a longer period of time.
2) Don't attempt to reduce size dramatically.
     3-4 inches at most is safe. Any more of a reduction and you risk messing up
      your organs.

[keityp]

I'm 5'9 and my inseam is barely 30". I'm definitely going to have this surgery, I just need to know what surgeon does this a thoracic/ribcage surgeon or a neurosurgeon? I'm asking this because I found a surgeon who does "ribcage shortening" and neurosurgeon "spine shortening" What surgeon do I need to see to shrink my height.. .. and I don't care about the physical pain because i'd rather deal with that for a while than emotional pain. I just want to be at least 5'3-5'4, that would be ideal. well 5'5 sounds really good. my mom is 5'0 and I feel like the empire state building next to a ranch style house when I stand by her!!

thanks!

[Jaime R D]

In all honesty, your height isn't bad at all. I'm a little taller and I never have an issue with anyone over it. Also, having your spine messed with for any reason other than to repair serious damage just seems awful risky and I don't think I would trust any doctor willing to do it. 

I do hope you can learn to cope or accept that aspect of yourself as the alternatives just sound like it could invite a lot more physical issues than what you currently have with just being trans.

[kelly_aus]

You can't shorten the spinal column.. The nerves cannot be cut and rejoined and far too many useful branches of nerves come out at various points all along it's length. I suppose spinal compression might be an option, but it could only be a very minimal amount.

[Jill F]

5'9"?  Not an issue.  My wife is 5'11", she's cis and would never want to be any shorter.  There are advantages to being tall.  If you're worried about being read, I'm 6'2" and I only get "sir'd" occasionally over the phone now.

Besides, even if they could/would do this, why would you risk a lifetime of back problems?  Trust me- back problems will ruin your life.  Being read won't.

Stand tall and proud.

[Megumi]

I've never heard of such surgeries but as a 5'11 tall amazon woman I have no issues with passing. There is rib removal to give you a more pronounced hourglass figure but there's nothing that can be done as far as shortening the spine or your height per se. I can't even imagine the huge dangers plus the large amounts of newly lose skin & muscle that would be an issue plus all of the scars. Besides that no respectful surgeon is going to dare to mess with a person's spine unless it's to correct a bone spur or damaged disk. Paralysis is something you never want to risk, all it would take is one knick to a nerve and bam you are now 3'6 confined to a wheel chair. My mom had a bone spur worked on just because she wanted to stay out of work longer for a blood clot in the leg issue. It was her greatest mistake of her life to get that surgery done because after she had a very minor procedure she is now disabled from it and will never be able to work again. She can still walk but only with severe pain in her legs, lower back & has all sorts of sensory issues. She takes enough pain killers every day to knock the edge off to kill a horse. All I'm saying is seriously consider the risks in any surgery as the worst can happen from time to time.   

I don't want to sound mean but we have to accept that there are some things that we can't change about ourselves no matter how bad we would. I'd love to be 5'2-5'6 tall with a much smaller frame but the reality of life is that will never happen and I just have to move on and work on the things that I can change.

[Frank]

5'9 isn't a bad height, it's pretty average for girls. My mother is about 5'10. I'll echo what the others have said, in no way should you ever mess with your spine. Besides, what would the surgeon even do with the extra spinal cord that removing a vertebra would leave?

[keityp]

I wouldn't mind my height if I had very long legs like some girls on here, but  knowing that I have the same inseam of a 5'0 girl is the worst i will always be a big tall monster!


Kelly, how many inches will I reduce with the surgery(compressing the spine)? I would love to be at least 2-4 inches shorter

[stephaniec]

maybe it would help to go to the down town area of your  city on a busy shopping day and see the reality that women come in every conceivable shape and size.

[mrs izzy]

Keityp

I merged 3 topics you started with asking the same question.

Please keep this in mind. There is a search feature and its better to respond to already running topics.

I now seen it has been already locked one time in a earlier one of the threads...

I agree and now will still keep the locked on the entire topic .