Body modification has evolved far beyond simple piercings and tattoos. Today’s influencers chase increasingly dramatic transformations, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and what’s acceptable. Among these extreme makeovers, one 27-year-old’s recent surgery has captured attention for what she has done and what she plans to do next.
Emily James just joined an exclusive club of people who’ve undergone elective rib removal, a procedure so rare and controversial that most plastic surgeons won’t even consider it. The $17,000 surgery promises a dramatically smaller waist but comes with serious risks and an even more serious price tag. For most people, the story would end with recovery and results.
But Emily isn’t like most people. Her post-surgery plans have sparked a conversation that goes beyond typical cosmetic surgery debates. As social media continues to blur the lines between personal transformation and public performance, her story forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about body autonomy, the price of standing out, and how far someone will go to create their ideal self.
Meet Emily James: The 27-Year-Old Who Just Did What Most People Only Joke About
Emily James made headlines by undergoing one of the most extreme cosmetic procedures available—elective rib removal. The surgery, typically reserved for medical necessities, has become her signature move in a saturated influencer market.
The procedure involves removing lower ribs to create a more dramatic waist-to-hip ratio. It’s so rare that many plastic surgeons won’t perform it due to the risks involved. Ribs protect vital organs, and removing them purely for cosmetic reasons remains controversial even among body modification enthusiasts.
Emily documented her entire journey on social media, from pre-surgery consultations to post-operative recovery. She posted updates from the hospital, showing bandages and drainage tubes that made the reality of such major surgery impossible to ignore.
What sets Emily apart isn’t just her willingness to undergo such an extreme procedure—it’s her complete transparency about every aspect of it. She doesn’t hide the pain, the cost, or the criticism. Instead, she faces it all head-on, turning her transformation into public content.
Six Ribs Gone, $17,000 Spent—Was It Worth It?
Three months after going under the knife, Emily shared a candid update that surprised many. The influencer admitted she wasn’t “100% sure” the procedure was worth the price tag and pain.
The healing process brought complications for which Emily hadn’t fully prepared. Moving, breathing, and even lying down became exercises in pain management. Simple activities required careful consideration. The surgical sites needed constant care to prevent infection, and the internal healing took far longer than the external scars suggested.
Despite these challenges, Emily noticed changes in her silhouette that excited her. Her waist appeared notably smaller, creating the dramatic hourglass figure she’d envisioned. Clothes fit differently, and she found herself shopping for entirely new sizes.
“I plan on having someone make a crown out of them,” James told Caters News when asked about her unusual keepsake. This revelation about her plans for the removed ribs added another layer to a controversial story. The $17,000 procedure had given her more than just a new figure—it provided raw materials for the most unusual accessory in influencer history.
“I Plan on Having Someone Make a Crown Out of Them”
The decision to keep her removed ribs shocked even Emily’s most dedicated followers. Medical waste typically disappears into hospital incinerators, but Emily specifically requested to keep her bones. “They let me keep the ribs and I was initially going to gift them to my best friend,” she explained.
Her announcement triggered an avalanche of suggestions from followers. Some proposed practical use, like grinding them into supplements or creating jewelry. Others suggested more outlandish ideas that ranged from disturbing to darkly humorous.
“I’ve had people say they would make them into a chew toy or boil them down into broth,” she added. “Personally, I think my meat would taste delicious.” While she joked about consumption, she quickly clarified that health concerns would prevent her from actually eating or allowing others to consume any part of her removed bones.
The crown concept appeals to Emily’s flair for the dramatic. She envisions working with an artist to create a wearable piece incorporating her bones into a regal design. It’s body modification taken to its logical extreme—not just changing your body, but wearing your former body as an accessory.
Her Response to Haters? “It’s My Money, My Body”
Criticism poured in from the moment Emily announced her surgery plans. Comments ranged from genuine concern about health risks to cruel jokes about her sanity. But Emily developed a thick skin to match her newly modified skeleton.
“Getting my ribs removed doesn’t change the fact that I’m a kind loving trans girl,” she fired back at critics who questioned her motivations. Her identity as a trans woman added another dimension to the conversation about body modification and self-determination.
She didn’t hesitate to call out hypocrisy when she saw it. “I know some of your moms walk around with [Brazilian butt lifts], how is this any different?” she asked. Her point struck a nerve—why do some body modifications receive acceptance while others face condemnation?
When commenters crossed into inappropriate territory with crude questions about the surgery’s potential “benefits,” Emily matched their energy. One particularly vulgar comment asking if the surgery enabled certain physical acts received a simple but effective response: “So what if I can?”
Emily’s Transformation Story
Emily’s rib removal represents just one chapter in her ongoing transformation journey. She openly shares that she’s previously undergone breast augmentation as part of her gender affirmation process. Each procedure brought her closer to the vision she holds of herself.
Her social media presence chronicles the surgeries and the emotional journey behind them. She posts before-and-after photos, recovery updates, and honest reflections about the physical and psychological impacts of her choices.
Looking forward, Emily has already scheduled facial feminization surgery. She approaches each procedure with the same excitement and transparency that has become her trademark.
Her story resonates with others considering similar procedures, though she’s careful never to promote surgery as a solution for everyone. She acknowledges the privilege of affording such procedures while defending her right to spend her money as she sees fit.
Three Months Later: Pain, Regrets, and Excitement All Mixed Together
Recovery hasn’t followed a straight line for Emily. Some days, she is excited to see her new silhouette taking shape, while other days, she experiences pain that makes her question whether the aesthetic results justify the physical cost.
The complications served as sobering reminders that cosmetic surgery carries real risks. Emily’s transparency about these difficulties provides valuable insight for others considering similar procedures. She doesn’t sugarcoat the sleepless nights, the mobility restrictions, or the moments of doubt.
Yet, alongside the challenges, Emily expresses genuine excitement about her results. Her waist measurements have changed dramatically, and she’s beginning to see the figure she envisioned. The ability to wear certain styles of clothing that previously didn’t flatter her body type brings her joy, which she says makes the journey worthwhile.
As she plans her bone crown and prepares for future procedures, Emily has become an unexpected voice in conversations about body autonomy and transformation. Whether wearing a crown made from her ribs or defending her choices against critics, Emily James continues to push boundaries and challenge our assumptions about what it means to transform yourself in the age of social media.
The Highs and Lows of Emily James’ Radical Transformation
Emily James’ journey shows just how personal—and complicated—body transformation can be. For her, the decision to remove her ribs wasn’t just about creating a smaller waist or standing out in a crowded influencer space. It’s a move toward owning her body and reshaping it in a way that feels authentic to her. But the reality of her surgery, with all its pain and complications, reminds us that these extreme choices come with real consequences, both physical and emotional.
Her openness about the struggles she faced post-surgery offers a grounded perspective on something that often gets glorified on social media. It’s easy to look at her results and think the transformation is worth it, but Emily’s story emphasizes that the road to change can be difficult, messy, and full of doubts. She doesn’t shy away from the tough parts, and that transparency is something more people need when considering cosmetic procedures.
In the end, Emily’s experience isn’t just about ribs or waistlines—it’s about control and ownership over her own body. Whether we agree with her choices or not, it forces us to think about how we approach body image and the lengths we’re willing to go to feel like our true selves in a world that’s constantly watching.
Featured Image Source: Kasper James on Instagram
