Former Married at First Sight contestant Bec Zacharia has confirmed she underwent rib repositioning surgery in Bali, part of a group of ten influencers invited for the controversial procedure. The 35-year-old reality star shared a video with her 100,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday night, explaining that she faced a delay but ultimately went ahead with the operation, which involves changing the location of four ribs.
Details of the Surgery
In the video, Zacharia said, “I’ve been lying to you, I haven’t had surgery yet - I’m in Bali, it’s almost been three weeks. There are delays in life, one that I can’t control, but today is the day . . . I’m actually going to take you in with me.” The clip showed her arriving at the Balinese clinic, receiving IV fluids, and entering an operating theatre with two medical personnel. After the procedure, she said, “I’m out of surgery, it all went really well . . . this is what I look like,” showing her medical corset. “The pain is probably a 3 out of 10 right now. I’m comfortable. The hospital was incredible and now it’s just about making sure that I take you guys along on the journey of my results as they go. There was a delay but it was well worth it. I’m in bed and you’ll be seeing me in a corset for the next 12 weeks.”
Group of Influencers
Zacharia was part of a group of ten influencers invited to Bali by Snatched Waist clinic for a collaboration, including fellow MAFS bride Awhina Rutene and Bachelor star Monique Morley. Rutene, a mother of one from Western Australia, had to pull out at the last minute. Morley underwent the surgery on Tuesday, describing it as “basically like Invisalign for your teeth” on Instagram. Zacharia told Women’s Day, “I was invited to Bali by Snatched Waist as part of an influencer collaboration.” She stressed on the MAFS Funny podcast that she felt no pressure: “The company that’s brought me out here isn’t pressuring me saying, ‘You’ve got to get it done.’ I have the full ability to make that decision as to whether or not it’s something that aligns with me.”
What Is Rib Remodelling?
Rib remodelling, also known as rib reshaping, is a cosmetic procedure that involves fracturing the lower ribs and repositioning them to create a smaller waist. Under general anaesthetic, surgeons make two punctures in the patient’s back and use a device called a piezotome to vibrate and weaken the bone. Once weakened, the surgeon fractures the outer layer and repositions the bone to reduce waist width. Patients must wear a compression garment for several months as the ribs heal. Snatched Waist offers a less invasive variation called RibXCar.
Legal Status and Risks
Rib remodelling is not legal in Australia. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the Medical Board of Australia have warned that the procedure carries many risks. Australian medical professionals have expressed concerns due to the lack of long-term data. Dr Ricky Sia, vice president of the Cosmetic Physicians College of Australasia, told the Sydney Morning Herald: “The lower ribs aren’t purely cosmetic structures. Published data on rib reshaping procedures point to real complications – including collapsed lung, nerve injury, infection and poor bone healing – occurring in a meaningful minority of cases. The literature itself notes that the longer-term effects on breathing mechanics haven’t been well studied.” Many Australians seek the surgery in Bali due to less rigorous regulatory oversight. The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons has warned against cosmetic tourism, stating: “While there are many highly qualified and educated surgeons practising around the globe, Australians who travel overseas for cosmetic surgery are often travelling into the unknown and will be in the care of a health system that is foreign and may not be easy to navigate, particularly if something goes wrong.”
