Hello, Bob Lee Swager in Vancouver. Thank you for your question about abdominal etching or implants for a sharper six-pack look. Thank you for your interesting question. A more accurate answer can be provided if you can submit pictures. First, a physical examination or consultation is in order. If you work out and have a flat abdomen with not too much fat, you may be an excellent candidate for the abdominal wall or rectus abdominis silicone implants. Unfortunately, there are not many plastic surgeons who insert abdominal wall implants. Most experienced plastic surgeons performing this procedure get maximum results when there is minimal fat overlying the skin. Therefore, you should barely have any fat to get the best results with the rectus abdominis implants. The silicone ab implants are made of a semi-solid implant material. These ab implants will not leak. These ab implants are inserted just underneath the fascia of the rectus abdominis muscle. The abdominal wall implant procedure is a relatively straightforward procedure with immediate results. There are no known long-term complications by placing silicone implants underneath the fascia of the rectus abdominal muscle. If you have more fat than a small (2 cm) pinch, most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons recommend the VASER abdominal etching technique. The rectus abdominis muscles can be sculpted with the VASER abdominal wall etching. The VASER also helps to maximize skin contracture with ultrasonic energy. This energy melts the fat and heats the skin, further accentuating the rectus abdominis muscle bellies. Some plastic surgeons also take aspirated fat during the VAS ER liposuction procedure and inject the fat into the rectus abdominis for further augmentation. Because of blood supply, most plastic surgeons do not simultaneously perform the rectus abdominis six-pack implants and the VASER liposuction procedure. Insertion of abdominal implants takes approximately three hours under general anesthesia. This abdominal etching also takes about three hours under general anesthesia. Either way plan for about a 7 to 10-day recovery. It’ll be important for you to wear your abdominal binder for approximately six weeks after the VASER liposuction. In regards to the abdominal implants, you will need to wear a binder for approximately two weeks. I hope this information helps to clarify whether you need etching or abdominal or rectus abdominis implants for a sharper six-pack look. Good luck. If you have any more questions regarding VASER liposuction or reduction surgery, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. 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, MBA, FACS, FICS ( 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.)