Abdominal Etching

See What Abdominal Etching Can Do for You

Abdominal etching is a unique body contouring procedure, as it can only be performed by expert cosmetic surgeons specializing in high definition abdominal liposuction. This article was written to dispel the myths surrounding this very unique surgical procedure. For starters, the abdominal etching procedure is lengthier than traditional liposuction cases since it requires more detailed removal of fat pockets requiring longer operative times even though it can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Ideal candidates should be near their ideal body weight, live healthy lifestyles, maintain a healthy diet, and describe a history of attempting to strive for six-pack abs. Plastic surgeons may complete abdominal etching by removing the body fat from the abdominal muscles. Moreover, it is necessary to use VASER liposuction technology to achieve abdomen etching since comprehensive elimination of the fat cells must be achieved to create a chiseled or lean-appearing abdomen.

Abdominal etching requires the removal of both the deep and superficial fat layers. Traditional liposuction is limited to the partial removal of deep fat only. In contrast, VASER liposuction is capable of removing not only all of the deep but also the superficial fat selectively. Removal of both the superficial and deep layers of fat from the abdomen is essential to unveiling highlights of the underlying muscles.

Abdominal etching requires sculpting certain natural shadows created by natural gulleys, including semilunaris, linea alba, and inscriptions. 3D liposuction of these gulleys results in defining the rectus muscles to create the six-pack in males and four-pack in females. Highly skilled surgeons are akin to expert sculptors as they possess an appreciation of the muscle anatomy and can contour to detail your unique abdominal musculature.

Abdominal etching myths and facts

Abdominal etching requires unveiling the muscles that you possess. This may seem intuitive, but we have routinely seen failed attempts to do abdominal etching wherein the etching of abdominal muscles results in boxy appearing muscle forms representing unnatural linear lines. This misrepresentation of the abdominal muscles is characterized by cobblestone appearance and coined the Ninja Turtle look. Instead, the abdominal muscles must depict exactly what is there naturally. This means perfectly symmetric muscle bellies or completely asymmetric muscles completely dependent on your anatomy. Whereas the deep fat is removed completely, the superficial fat undergoes differential liposuction. This means superficial liposuction provides the opportunity for your surgeon to guide the degree of muscle highlights created. Superficial liposuction will be done more aggressively over the gulleys. In contrast, superficial liposuction will be performed lightly over the apex of the muscle bellies. In fact, it is superficial liposuction that utilizes the advantage of VASER liposuction. Whereas tumescent liposuction is used in all liposuction techniques, alternative liposuction modalities such as power-assisted liposuction, laser-liposuction, and traditional liposuction are not amenable to superficial liposuction.

Differential liposuction is the art of high definition liposuction that is most difficult to master. In fact, it is differential liposuction during superficial liposuction that will best detail the nuances of muscle shape and form. Controlling liposuction cannula debts, angles, and pressure influence the amount of fat removed and are critical during superficial liposuction. ferential liposuction is utilized when performing liposuction of the deep layers. The degree of superficial liposuction must be guided by several factors. The first factor affecting superficial liposuction is the size of the muscle bellies. The stronger the muscle mass, the less superficial liposuction is needed to unveil muscle highlights. The second factor is the degree of skin laxity and redundancy. When there is minimal to moderate skin laxity, then the superficial liposuction may be limited in order to avoid contour irregularities caused by skin redundancy. When there is moderate skin redundancy, it might be prudent to supplement your superficial liposuction with Renuvion J plasma technology. When there is moderate to severe skin redundancy, it might be prudent to supplement your cosmetic surgery with an excision or tucking procedure. In summary, it becomes apparent that surgical technique and design are critical to achieving realistic muscular definition. Abdominal etching techniques are clearly an art form that extends beyond plastic surgery. Evaluation of skin elasticity and skin tone is critical to achieving superior results.

Another misconception regarding abdominal etching is that the muscle bellies are created by filling them in with fat grafting. This notion follows the ability of high definition liposuction surgeons to fill the buttock, such as in the Brazilian Buttock Lift, or the chest, as in the creation of the armor chest plate. Unfortunately, the abdominal rectus muscles are too thin to accommodate intramuscular fat grafting. Attempts at grafting these muscles will result in the placement of fat cells under the muscle bellies, which is a loose plane that will not accommodate the fat viability. Instead, differential liposuction techniques are employed to achieve three-dimensional contours of muscle shapes and the creation of natural shadows.

Abdominal Etching Description:

• Procedure: Gold standard procedure in liposuction that eliminates excess fat and redundant skin that may have accumulated over the abdomen that results in etching of the abdominal muscles.
• Length: 2 to 3 hours, depending on the amount of excess fat and whether skin tightening is required.
• Anesthesia: General anesthesia is required for this body contouring surgery
• Place of Treatment: Outpatient surgical suite in a surgery center

Side Effects of Abdominal Etching:

1) Early swelling will be observed from 1 week to 1 month once compression garments are not worn continuously. Prolonged swelling up to 3 months may occur infrequently if the patient has poor lymphatic drainage or poor nutrition. Lymphatic drainage will minimize the risk of prolonged swelling. In addition, nutrition optimization with 150mg/day of protein intake will also minimize swelling.

2)Seroma is the name of accumulated plasma fluid and oils in the most dependent pockets (around your pubic region) that can occur as you become more upright following surgery. Seromas are avoided with strict adherence to wearing the provided, customized compression garments. Typically, seromas will be identified and drained during your aggressive serial lymphatic messages over the first ten days after surgery.

3)Loss of definition may occur when postoperative care is not followed appropriately. Fluid accumulation may occur as above if compression garments are not worn around the clock. Pockets of fat may form if fat aspirates and residual tumescent fluid are not drained by serial lymphatic messages. Weight gain should be avoided, and a healthy lifestyle must be followed. Getting washboard abs is not feasible for most clients, but preserving your gains is much more manageable once you have undergone lipo etching.

Risks of Abdominal Etching:

Although skin compromise may occur following abdominal etching, most cases are observed in patients with nutritional deficiencies, diabetes, immune deficiency, or a smoking history. Skin compromise may occur following abdominal etching and typically result in skin discolorations.

Both the medical condition and nutritional deficiencies can be corrected before surgery. In addition, Nitro paste is used in the operating room to stimulate increased blood flow to areas that may demonstrate early signs of vascular compromise, thus mitigating any major skin compromise.

Postop following Abdominal Etching

Recovery: The recovery for high definition liposuction abdominal etching may be variable requiring as little as 1 to 2 weeks, depending on your pain tolerance and whether you require skin excision to tighten loose skin. Patients who return to the gym no later than 2 to 3 weeks following surgery will observe the increased definition of the abdominal muscles.

Duration of Results: Patients are universally pleased with their abdominal etching outcomes since the transformations are inspiring. Patients will preserve their results as long as they keep an active lifestyle and maintain their weight. Weight gain is not recommended despite the jaw-dropping results provided by advanced liposuction techniques. Outstanding liposuction outcomes are achieved when an ideal candidate for liposuction is chosen and a superior liposuction technique is utilized. Body liposuction has evolved considerably over the last decade to allow minimal scarring due to liposuction access port protectors and advanced techniques.