Many men and women find that even rigorous exercise and dieting cannot provide them with the toned abdominal appearance they desire. The stubborn fat layer that covers the stomach muscles just doesn’t respond to these natural fat reduction measures. Abdominal etching is a special liposuction technique that creates chiseled abs or a “washboard stomach” by sculpting the fat. Available in leading plastic surgery centers offering body sculpting in New York City, the procedure is designed to address stubborn areas of fat that make it difficult for men and women to achieve the abdominal muscle definition they want.
This liposuction technique involves precisely sculpting the abdominal fat in both the superficial and deeper layers to highlight the natural “six-pack” lines in men and a chiseled but softer look in women. A skilled New York City plastic surgeon can provide customized results to meet the patient preference.
NYC plastic surgeons use safe and effective power-assisted liposuction modalities such as Smartlipo Triplex, VASER Lipo and BodyTite to suction the fat and define the patient’s natural abdominal lines. These minimally-invasive modalities are designed to provide effective ab contouring by removing superficial fat, enhancing the underlying musculature and tightening the skin, while leaving the surrounding tissues unharmed.
Abdominal etching provides good results for the right candidate – men and women who have a moderate amount of abdominal fat and strong underlying muscles. According to a recent study, the best results are seen on patients who exercise regularly and eat a healthy diet, but “have certain resistant areas of fat that hides the desired muscular definition”. Plastic surgery’s solution to sculpted abs would work for those who meet the following criteria:
- Have stubborn tummy fat that refused to budge even with consistent diet or exercise efforts aimed at achieving a lean, masculine physique
- Are in good physical shape and close to their ideal weight, with proper eating and exercise habits
- Do not have any preexisting medical conditions or medical problems that could hinder the healing process
- Have an athletic build and good skin tone
- Do not smoke
- Have enough time to spare for recovery after the treatment
People who are naturally thin and who maintain a low-fat diet have an edge over others when it comes to outcomes. The results of the procedure show up quickly if the patient has negligible body fat, and improves on workout.
Candidates who have had tummy tuck surgery or liposuction can consider abdominal etching in order to really make their abs stand out and achieve a fitter and more chiseled appearance. Patients should inform their surgeon about all medications they take on a regular basis, including dietary supplements. To avoid risks of bleeding, patients will also be advised to avoid smoking and avoid certain over-the-counter medications in the weeks before and after the surgery.
In AAAASF-accredited surgical practices in NYC, the procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, which reduces the risk of post-operative complications and minimizes recovery time compared to conventional liposuction. After administering local anesthesia, the plastic surgeon will draw a map of the natural musculature on the abdomen. Tiny incisions will be made to insert the small cannula to melt the fat so that it can be easily suctioned off. The level of muscle definition would be based on the patient’s preference. While men require increased muscle definition, for women, the results would be more subtle. The final result is a flat stomach with pronounced muscle shape and definition.
Most patients are back to their normal activities in 24-48 hours. After the procedure, there may be some minor swelling which is normal and will subside soon. You may be asked to wear a compression garment 24×7 for the first 3 weeks post-op and after that, at night, for another 3 weeks. Wearing the compression garment will help reduce bleeding and swelling, and minimize the risk of seroma (fluid accumulation that can occur in the body after surgery).
Final results will become visible within six months after the procedure or after the body has completely healed. As results may vary based on individual considerations, you should have realistic expectations. Maintaining a proper diet and exercising regularly are important for longevity of the surgical results.
If you are considering body sculpting in New York City, choose an AAAASF-accredited plastic surgery practice that offers the service of plastic surgeons with extensive experience in performing hi-definition liposuction procedures. In a reliable practice, the surgeon will evaluate your anatomical considerations and provide individualized treatment to help you achieve the desired muscular definition.