How will abdominal etching results be affected by a tummy tuck? Should I consider one before the other?

Question

If I get liposuction with soft ab etching now will this effect how a tummy tuck look later or will it be more present after a tummy tuck once you pull the skin down since there's little to no fat there to hide the ab

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Polite546372. Thank you for your question regarding how a tummy tuck will affect abdominal etching results and whether you should consider one before the other.  Thank you for your history and your excellent question.  I would highly suggest you undergo a tummy tuck before VASER six-pack abdominal etching.  During a tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, your abdominal skin will be pulled down, and excess lower abdominal skin and fat will be permanently eliminated.  Approximately 4 to 6 months after your tummy tuck, you can have VASER six-pack abdominal etching with excellent results.  If you have the VASER six-pack abdominal etching first and then the tummy tuck, the scars around your rectus muscles may be pulled down during the tummy tuck.  Thus, the scars from the VASER six-pack abdominal etching may be in the wrong place.  You must realize that during a tummy tuck, the skin from the belly button is pulled down to the pubic region.  Therefore, if your VASER six-pack abdominal etching is pulled down another 4 inches during a tummy tuck, the VASER six-pack abdominal etching skin on top of the muscles may be displaced inferiorly by 4 inches.  Therefore, my vote is definitely for tummy tuck BEFORE VASER six-pack abdominal etching. 
I hope my answer clarifies whether to have VASER six-pack abdominal etching before or after your tummy tuck.

Matthew S. Kilgo, MD · Answer

It is difficult to fully answer your question without a photograph but in general if are a good candidate for a tummy tuck, you likely have excess abdominal skin with rectus diastasis. Liposuction alone will not address those issues and would most probably lead to a suboptimal result. If you require an abdominoplasty and have upper abdominal fullness, liposuction with " ab etching" can be performed simultaneously if done carefully.

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question, you can consider to perform both: Tummy Tuck and Ab etching at the same time

By combining a tummy tuck with abdominal etching, patients can achieve both a flatter, tighter abdominal contour from the tummy tuck and more defined muscle contours from the abdominal etching.

It's crucial to work with a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon who can tailor the treatment plan to your specific goals and anatomy. Your surgeon will assess your individual needs during the consultation and recommend the most appropriate approach to achieve your desired outcomes.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. The first step is to understand the difference between
1. Liposuction, whcih provides fat removal
2. Abdominoplasty, which provides skin excision +/- muscle repair (if needed)
3. Lipoabdominoplasty which combines both fat removal, skin excision, and muscle repair (if needed)

If you have Lipoabdominoplasty, when some abdominal etching can be performed in one surgery. Be sure you consult with a board certified plastic surgeon, good luck!

Emmanuel De La Cruz, MD · Answer

Abdominal etching and a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) are two distinct cosmetic procedures that address different aspects of abdominal contouring. The choice between the two procedures and the sequencing of these surgeries depend on your specific goals, anatomy, and individual circumstances. Here's an overview of each procedure and how they may interact:

Abdominal Etching:

Procedure: Abdominal etching is a liposuction-based procedure designed to create the appearance of more defined abdominal muscles (six-pack or athletic contours) by selectively removing fat around the muscle outlines.
Results: It is ideal for individuals with good muscle tone but with stubborn pockets of fat obscuring the natural contours.
Tummy Tuck (Abdominoplasty):

Procedure: A tummy tuck is a surgical procedure that addresses excess skin, fat, and muscle laxity in the abdominal area. It involves removing excess skin, tightening the abdominal muscles, and repositioning the belly button.
Results: Tummy tucks are particularly beneficial for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss, pregnancy, or have loose abdominal skin and weakened muscles.
Considerations for Sequencing:

Tummy Tuck First: In cases where excess skin and muscle laxity are significant concerns, undergoing a tummy tuck first may be advisable. This is because a tummy tuck primarily addresses skin and muscle issues, and abdominal etching could be performed later for further definition once the skin has been tightened.
Abdominal Etching First: If excess skin and muscle laxity are not significant concerns, and the primary goal is to enhance muscle definition, abdominal etching may be performed first. However, it's important to note that the skin may still be loose after etching, and a tummy tuck may be necessary later for optimal results.
Combined Procedures:

Simultaneous Procedures: In some cases, abdominal etching and a tummy tuck can be performed during the same surgical session to achieve both improved muscle definition and skin tightening.
Customized Approach: The sequencing of procedures should be customized based on your unique anatomy, goals, and the recommendations of your plastic surgeon.
Consultation with a Plastic Surgeon:

Individual Assessment: A board-certified plastic surgeon will assess your abdominal anatomy, muscle tone, and skin laxity to provide personalized recommendations. They will discuss your goals and help you determine the most suitable approach for achieving your desired results.
It's crucial to have a thorough consultation with a qualified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, assess your anatomy, and receive personalized recommendations based on your unique situation.

Luis Eduardo Guerrero, MD · Answer

Tummy tuck is recommended for patients with loose skin, abdominal muscles weakness, stretch marks, extra hanging skin. Doing abdominal etching in thise kind of patients will give an unnatural result, so the best is to do first a tummy tuck, repair the muscles, stretch skin and then do abdominal etching.

Gregory Lakin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. The best way of doing it would be either: a tummy tuck first, and then ab etching. Or, as I do for a lot of my patients, both at the same time. Based on your surgeon of choice, you can determine with him the best approach.

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank-you for your question. It is difficult to say for sure without looking at your pictures, however,  abdominal etching will likely disappear or get displaced after a full tummy tuck , and may need to be redone or revised after the tummy tuck procedure. Please discuss this with your Plastic surgeon before undergoing the procedure. All the best1

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

I would definitely recommend having the Tummy Tuck performed first.  Then after at least 3 months have the Abdominal Etching.   The reasons are that if you do the Ab Etching first, then Tummy Tuck, the stretching of your skin will displace the 6-pack.   And you definitely do not want to do them together as this can lead to skin necrosis at the scar line andhealing issues.

Sean Satey, MD, FACS · Answer

Great question- in my practice, this all depends on whether or not you have a diastasis recti (midline muscle weakness) that needs to get repaired. If the answer is yes, then I'd recommend you get an abdominoplasty with muscle repair first, followed by abdominal etching (lipo) in a staged fashion 3-6 months afterward. If you don't have a muscle weakness but solely have excess skin, you're a candidate for abdominal etching with a skin resection. Best, Dr. Sean Satey, Beverly Hills, CA.

How will abdominal etching results be affected by a tummy tuck? Should I consider one before the other?

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