Is ab etching the same as muscle repair?

Thank you for your question.  Etching is a technique that involves liposculpting the area as opposed to muscle repair is sewing the muscles back together.  I suggest you seek a board certified plastic surgeon and discuss your options.  Best of luck!Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified 
Plastic Surgeon
Hoffman Estates
Oakbrook
Orland Park
Chicago

Hi, thank you for your question regrading whether rectus abdominis (abdominal muscle) repair is the same thing as ab etching.  Simple answer is "no", abdominal muscle repair is not the same as abdominal etching.  Usually, abdominal muscle repair is preformed during an abdominoplasty.  During muscle repair the lateral or outer borders of the rectus abdominis are brought together .  This suturing imbricates or folds the rectus muscle inside.  This surgical maneuver not only strengthens the abdominal wall, but results in a firm, tight, and FLAT abdomen.  In stark contrast, abdominal etching is a fat removal achieved with liposuction, specifically a VASER liposuction machine.  During VASER liposuction the abdominal fat around the muscles is melted and the skin is tightened.  VASER abdominal liposuction highlights the abdominal muscles.  Thus, during muscle repair, sutures are used to tighten and flatten the abdominal muscles; during ab etching, a VASER hi def liposuction machine is used to remove abdominal fat and expose, highlight, and contour the abdominal wall leading to a more etched or muscular abdomen compered to just muscle repair. I hope that i have answered your question about muscle repair and abdominal etching.    Before you make any decisions regarding would suggest you seek consultation with a VASER hi def liposuction expert. Please seek an experienced, board-certified, plastic surgeon.  Travel out of state if you must to find such an expert. If you have any more questions regarding VASER hi def liposuction, abdominal wall etching or plastic surgery in general, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and Fellow of American College of Surgeons and American Board for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Awardee: RealSelf 100.)