Abdominal Etching - Male & Female

The best candidate for this plastic surgery has naturally athletic-looking underlying muscles that can be accentuated with abdominal etching.

People who are liposuction candidates, with very localized, exercise-resistant fat deposits, can obtain additional improvements through abdominal etching. Likewise, patients who undergo an abdominoplasty to reduce loosened and excessive muscles may achieve a more athletic-looking appearance with abdominal etching. The strength of the results depends on personal anatomy. The ideal candidate also follows a proper diet and exercise program, which are necessary to maintain the benefits.

The abdominal etching technique can be performed at the same time as liposuction. The procedure may be performed at the same time as other procedures as well, depending on the combination treatment plan you have developed in consultation with your surgeon.

The Abdominal Etching Procedure

Abdominal etching is performed in our certified office surgical suite under intravenous sedation.  Several small incisions (1-2 millimeters in length) are made in the belly button or in natural creases of the abdomen so that the incisions are not highly visible. I use a small cannula (a hollow tube-like instrument) to remove excess fat close to under the skin to promote scarring of the skin to the muscle fascia. I use the VASER ultrasound which better promotes skin tightening and definition. It is a delicate procedure that includes sculpting grooves in the fat layers to emphasize a muscular appearance. Results can vary among patients due to personal anatomy factors such as the unchangeable appearance of the underlying muscles.

After Abdominal Etching Surgery

Restrictions include no exercise or lifting of ten pounds or more. There cannot be any pressure placed on the abdominal area.Normal activities typically can be resumed in one to three weeks. The full results of abdominal etching appear within six months of the procedure. But patients often see results such as better-fitting clothes and a firmer abdominal appearance much sooner.

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