Married At First Sight star Bec Zacharia has pleaded for privacy as she recovers from her controversial 'Barbie waist' surgery in Bali after spending the past fortnight documenting every step of the procedure online.

The 35-year-old reality star took to Instagram to reassure worried fans after going quiet on social media following the operation, which sparked widespread backlash.

'Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out with messages of kindness, love and concern for me. Your support truly means more than you know,' Bec wrote over a tropical beach backdrop.

'I want to reassure everyone that I am OK. I've always chosen to be transparent with you all and that will never change. I assure you I will share an update soon.'

She then asked followers to give her space while she continues to recover.

'For this short period of time… I'm respectfully asking for a little privacy. Thank you all for your understanding, your patience and for continuing to support me,' she added, signing off with 'BZ' and a white heart emoji.

The update comes after Bec spent almost two weeks sharing every twist and turn of her decision to undergo the increasingly popular rib contouring procedure, including moments where she dramatically changed her mind before ultimately going ahead with the surgery.

Earlier this month, Bec revealed she had decided to proceed with the controversial cosmetic operation after initially cancelling it following a wave of online criticism.

'I know that I said I would make a decision by Thursday and I have,' she said in an Instagram video.

'I have thought about this long and hard. I've thought about whether this procedure is something I want, and I've decided that I do. So I will be going ahead with the procedure of rib contouring.

'I am booked in for Monday and I will be documenting my whole journey on my Instagram. It's a decision that I'm really happy with.'

Bec explained she reached her final decision after realising she felt disappointed rather than relieved when she first pulled out of the surgery.

'I want this, so I've made that decision for myself and I'm going ahead… My body, my choice,' she said.

Just days earlier, the former reality bride had stunned followers by backing out of the procedure at the last minute after arriving at the Bali clinic.

Bec admitted she had second thoughts moments before she was due to undergo the operation.

'I walked in and I thought, "Am I ready? Is this what I want to do?"' she said.

'I just think that I'm going to take a little bit of time to think about it a little bit more.'

Podcast host Josh Fox, who had been documenting her journey, said he was shocked when Bec contacted him from the hospital to say she had changed her mind.

Bec also stressed she had not been pressured into having the surgery by those organising the trip.

'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,' she said.

The controversial body-contouring procedure, which is not currently available in Australia, reshapes the lower floating ribs to create the appearance of a dramatically smaller waist without removing the bones.

It has become increasingly popular among influencers travelling to Bali, but has also attracted fierce criticism from medical professionals and social media users concerned about unrealistic beauty standards.