How is abdominal etching different to regular liposuction?

Question

Hi, H am planning to have liposuction to the abdomen area. I want to have Abdominal Etching. Some surgeons say this will be included as part of a Vaser and HD/Power liposuction procedure. One doctor is telling me that the etching would incur a higher cost as a distinct process, to standard + vaser/power lipo, Is this correct?

Oliver Chang, MD · Answer

So a few quick answers for you (would be better if we had photos to assess to give you a more accurate opinion) but the ab etching is a form of advanced liposuction to where there needs to be experience in how to etch (and there are different types of etching for different anatomies as well as a mix of etching with fat grafting to allow for the abs to really show). So yes, it does add more technique and time to your procedure which does incur more of a cost. Whether they use Vaser or any power assisted liposuction technique is surgeon preference and depending on your skin anatomy if any other skin tightening sources are needed. (Again, all likely will add more cost to just the base of liposuction pricing).
One piece of advice I always tell my ab etch patients is hit the gym hard, get your body into a fat loss deficit and allow the skin to tighten some naturally before your surgery and to really allow the ab etch to show and stay post-operatively. This procedure is there to help show more definition but requires your input pre and post-op as well. (Diet, exercise, lifestyle changes). 
Hope this helps.

Jerimiah Mason, MD · Answer

Abdominal etching should be considered an additional procedure even when using Vaser and power assisted liposuction.  It requires an extra skillset, and takes much longer than vaser liposuction alone.  If someone is telling you etching is included it's because they are going to do very little etching.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, canthopexy, and thank you for your question about how abdominal etching differs from regular liposuction.  Thank you for your history and your interesting question.  Abdominal etching is quite different than regular liposuction.  During traditional liposuction, tumescent fluid is infiltrated to minimize intra- and postoperative pain and bleeding.  Then, a cannula or medical-grade straw is inserted, and fat is removed.  Traditional liposuction is the removal of excess fat.  No sculpting is performed.   Muscles are not sculpted.  Abdominal etching is quite different.  Abdominal etching aggressively removes more fat and sculpts the muscles—specifically the rectus abdominis muscle bellies.  The vertical linea alba and semilunaris lines are meticulously dissected with the lipo cannula.
Additionally, the horizontal insertions are also sculpted.  Some plastic surgeons inject the removed fat into the rectus muscle bellies for more muscle definition.  The best tool to achieve abdominal etching is with the VASER.  The VASER leads to less swelling, less bleeding, and maximum results.  These facts are substantiated in the medical literature.  In terms of cost, some plastic surgeons charge extra for abdominal etching.  The VASER machine is a very expensive investment and expensive to rent.  The VASER cannula is also very expensive.   Also, there is additional training required to use the VASER properly.  Therefore, these costs may be transferred to the patient.  Also, because the VASER procedure takes longer to perform than traditional liposuction, these additional fees for OR, anesthesia and surgeon's time are passed to the patient.  In addition, most experienced certified plastic surgeons specializing in VASER high-definition liposuction require you to wear a special compression vest.  This helps to minimize skin rippling and maximize results.  The post-VASER lipo vest costs more than a traditional lipo garment.   I hope this helps answer your question regarding how abdominal etching differs from regular liposuction.
The VASER procedure takes about two to three hours to complete.  VASER HI DEF can be performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia.  Most plastic surgeons prefer general anesthesia because more fat can be removed safely,  Also, general anesthesia is less painful compared to IV sedation.  Plan for a 10-day recovery.  
I hope I have answered your question regarding traditional Lipo360 versus VASER Ab Etching.  Since VASER HI DEF liposuction is a specialized procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in VASER HI DEF liposuction.   Do your research.   Look at their website.  Look at their reviews on RealSelf.  If you cannot find an experienced, VASER HI DEF liposuction plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state. 
Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD. ( Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Jairo Ulerio, MD · Answer

abdominal etching surgery, it can be performed using different techniques. One of them is Vaser technology. This greatly improves the outcome of the surgery.

Luis A. Mejia, MD · Answer

Dear Canthopexy, both informations are correct surgeons might have different protocols, in my practice I put it as a distinc process as a lot of patients as for it also dont want to get etching. Make sure you go on consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Hope this helps and best of lucks. Dr. Luis Mejia

Oliver Pope Simmons, MD, FACS · Answer

Each surgeon has his own procedure/cost etc. Both are correct... In my practice- i add etching. lipo by itself is a procedure to remove deep fat and etching goes into the superficial layer to make a distinct marking of developed musculature. The technique requires attention to surface markings and anatomy and does incur some additional risks so i do charge more. I also limit my patients that get etching to patients below a BMI of about 25 or so to ensure that the results look realistic.
OPS

How is abdominal etching different to regular liposuction?

Answers (6)

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