Abdominal or Ab etching is a specialized type of liposuction. It is the ability of the surgeon to emphasize and bring out the existing abdominal musculature more prominently. The abdominal muscles are too parallel vertically oriented voluntary muscles that are separated into blocks from top to bottom. When the overall body fat is minimal and the individual has well-developed abdominal muscles they show as blocks or the so-called six-pack.
Occasionally individuals with already visible abdominal musculatures wish to enhance the appearance of these muscles. They then are candidates for this specific specialized type of liposuction – liposculpture.
Ab Etching
These are usually men, and sometimes women who have minimal body fat and no loose skin. These are the best candidates for this procedure. Tumescent and ultrasonic techniques are often used to facilitate this procedure as well as general anesthesia to provide painless intra-operative conditions with local to follow hopefully giving some comfort postoperatively.
Awake or sedated patients may feel discomfort/pain and therefore not allow the surgeon to do the best job. Safety is paramount in our practice and therefore, we require clearances from other treating physicians as well as performing our procedure at a licensed outpatient facility connected to a hospital with all caregivers including anesthesia be thoroughly vetted. MD anesthesia is our preference.
Again, ab etching is a very specialized subset of a suction applicable only to the right type of patient. The maintenance of good health and body weight, as we go forward, is essential. We have patients years postop who have maintained their excellent results. We hope to provide the safest possible procedures with the best possible outcomes.
THOMAS TREVISANI, MD
BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON
MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AESTHETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
