Influencer who had controversial ‘rib contouring’ surgery reveals what she looked like three years ago

An Australian influencer has revealed what she looked like three years ago, a time before a controversial ‘Barbie Waist’ surgery and several other alterations.

Matilda Baxter, the 21-year-old Australian influencer who went viral two months ago after undergoing rib contouring surgery in Bali, shared a side-by-side comparison of herself from 2023 and today. You can view the photos here.

Her caption for anyone who preferred the old version was characteristically blunt.

“Anyone saying 2023 was better clearly can’t afford the 2026 version of me. Get well soon.”

The throwback clip showed Baxter in a pink mini dress in 2023. The newer footage, filmed recently, showed her walking around in a pink sequined crop top and matching skirt, with a post-surgery corset visible underneath. 

Her waist appears dramatically smaller with her cheekbones and lips also more defined, though whether any additional procedures were involved remains unclear.

The reaction online

The comparison clip landed to a split response.

Some followers were genuinely alarmed. “All I am seeing is the bones,” one person wrote. Another said: “Omg I remember when I looked like this. I was so sick.” Others urged her to eat more, worried about what they were seeing.

A more pointed commenter wrote: “This is disgraceful, to portray an image and encourage other young girls or women to think it’s normal to look like this.”

Baxter’s supporters pushed back just as hard. Several defended her right to make decisions about her own body without commentary from strangers. “This woman is educated and makes her own informed choices,” one wrote. “Don’t like it? Roll on!”

The ‘Barbie Waist’ surgery itself

Baxter underwent a procedure known online as the ‘Barbie Waist’ surgery in Bali roughly two months ago.

Rib contouring involves removing or reshaping the lower floating ribs to create a more defined waist. It has attracted significant controversy, particularly around the risks involved and the beauty standard it promotes.

When she first debuted the results last month, Baxter posted a video of herself in lingerie with the caption: “It looks insane. Not edited. Waist where?”