Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS

This is actually a very common question that we here in our practice. Abdominal etching is a very specific and delicate form of liposculpture that we commonly performed when we do body contouring. Abdominal etching is performed by using multiple different types of liposuction to go ahead and not only debulk deep fat, but to remove small amounts of superficial fat around the bony framework, the muscle contours, and the tendinous transcriptions. When this is done meticulously, the patient can expect to obtain a very toned and athletic results and even a sixpack.
The most important thing that a patient should check before receiving this procedure is that they are working with a plastic surgeon that is board-certified by the American Board of plastic surgery. You need someone with this level of training and expertise to get the best possible result.
In patients with a rectus diastasi, it is possible to get a beautiful and toned result, but liposuction or liposculpture alone may not be enough. In a patient with separated abdominal muscles, if they only receive abdominal etching they will have the lines of muscle, but there abdomen will still be bulging and round. To the eye this can look very weird. We call this result the teenage mutant ninja abdomen, because like a mutant ninja turtle they will have the outlines of a sixpack on a big belly. For these patients, in our practice we combine liposculpture with a small or a mini tummy tuck. In a mini tummy tuck the patient can have a 4 inch incision through which we can do a complete muscle repair at the same time. This will accomplish the patient's overall goal of having a sculpted abdomen as well as a tight and flat tummy.

Patients often ask how long can they see the final results after abdominal etching procedure. We tell patients that anybody contouring procedure will have subsequent swelling and asymmetry and unevenness that can last for up to 10 to 12 months. However the day after the procedure you will definitely see a big change. We tell patients to take a very good look the day after the procedure as we use garments are custom-made for our patients and the technique of liposculpture to prevent the onset of swelling. The day after the procedure the patient can look terrific and then afterwards swelling can begin. In plastic surgery, the old adage is true that an ounce of prevention is worth many pounds of cure. Our practice works very hard with the patients in using different types of compression molds, boards, phone, vests, corsets, and custom garments to prevent the body from swelling in the first place. This will help the patient achieve their final results as quickly as possible. When you decide to receive abdominal etching, make sure that you are working with a plastic surgeon that is board-certified by the American Board of plastic surgery and that he has multiple types of liposuction to offer as well as years of experience doing this technique. This will help you get the best possible results

Abdominal etching is a terrific technique in body contouring that combines old-fashioned debulking of fat with liposuction and the superficial removal of small amounts of fat with liposculpture around the patient's bony framework, the muscle contours, and the tendinous transcriptions. If this delicate procedures done correctly. The patient can expect a very toned and athletic appearance and a six pack. Ideal candidates for this procedure are patients who have good quality skin tone and whose muscles are in the right position. This does not mean that only these patients can receive this procedure. In our practice, if the patient has loose skin or a separation of muscles due to weight loss or previous pregnancy, we often combine abdominal etching with another body contouring procedure such as a mini tummy tuck or a small tummy tuck to address all these issues at one time and to give the patient a toned appearance. More important than the ideal candidate for abdominal etching is the ideal candidate of the doctor who is actually going to do this delicate procedure. Patients should only work with plastic surgeons that are board-certified by the American Board of plastic surgery, offer multiple different types of liposuction, and have a great deal of experience in this technique. Remember that liposuction just like a paintbrush is a tool or instrument. More important than the tool are the people on either end of it and the understanding and trust that they have in each other.

A BBL is a powerful and flexible technique that combines liposuction many parts of the body, cleaning the fact that is collected, and using this healthy fat to graft to multiple areas of the patient desires. Fact can be collected from many different sites, not only the abdomen. The abdomen is often used because this is an area where most of us can spare a little fat and also liposuction of the abdomen really complements the overall look of an improve contour of the butt. The answer to your question is yes! A BBL can be done without lipo of the abdomen, but more importantly, you should ask yourself. "Why not do liposuction to this area?" Have a discussion with your plastic surgeon about the quality of your fat, the thickness of your abdominal fat, and the quality and tone of your skin. Also ask your surgeon how he or she will avoid contour and skin deformities from liposuction. Make sure that they have a good strategy to avoid this. Contour deformities should not happen after liposuction if the planning is done beforehand and the procedure is done correctly. Most likely, be sure that you are working with an experienced plastic surgeon who is board-certified in the American Board of plastic surgery. You and your tummy deserve nothing less.

Congratulations on your first half marathon! This is an incredible accomplishment. Liposuction can be performed safely at a time but ideally, when the patient is at their stable body weight. If you feel that you will recover and be at your stable body weight in one week after your marathon, you can safely have the procedure. More importantly, because you're going to reuse the fat for your BBL procedure, have an in-depth talk with your plastic surgeon to make sure that you have sufficient fat at the time of your procedure to get the results that you are looking for. Keep in mind that a portion of the fat that is going to be used in the fat transfer will be absorbed. For this reason, when we performed a BBL we always inject extra fat to counter this. Make sure that your plastic surgeon understands your body weight, fat content, skin quality and most importantly your expectations. Make sure that you have enough fat to meet your expectations. Congratulations on your half marathon you're an inspiration to all of us.