Can a person have abdominal etching if they have diastasis recti?

I appreciate your question.

Vaser assisted liposuction utilizes ultrasound to emulsify or melt felt prior to removal. It is also used to etch or define the muscles and normal anatomy to enhance the results. I use a specialized technique to remove the deeper fat areas and sculpt the superficial fat, so that one can achieve the goal of having not only a flatter stomach but also a more defined and curvaceous body if wanted. I can use this technique on the arms as well.

I also use the fat removed to graft into the pecs for men or breasts for women as well as into the arms and other areas to further enhance muscle definition.It can be done if you have diastasis

The best way to assess and give true advice would be an in-person exam.  Please see a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in aesthetic plastic surgery and high definition body contouring.

 

Best of luck!

   

Dr. Schwartz

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

#RealSelf100Surgeon

#RealSelfCORESurgeon

Hello RealSelf Admin in Deep Water, WV.
Thank you for your question regarding whether a person can have abdominal etching if they have diastasis recti. The quick answer is yes, but it's not a wise idea. With VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching, deep liposuction is performed along the linea alba. The linea alba is a naturally occurring vertical line from the sternum to the top of the umbilicus. If you have rectus diastasis, the peritoneal cavity is distended and protrudes between the rectus abdominis muscles. When performing VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching, the liposuction cannula can get dangerously close to the peritoneal cavity. If the peritoneal cavity is punctured, your intestines could get damaged, and you would get very sick. Therefore, it is safer to perform rectus abdominis diastasis correction with muscle plication. Muscle plication can be performed during a standard abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). Alternatively, the rectus muscle can be plicated endoscopically (from the peritoneal cavity). Once the rectus diastasis is corrected, then you could proceed with VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching 4 to 6 months later. Thank you for your question regarding whether a person can have abdominal etching if you have diastasis recti. Good luck. VASER hi-def abdominal sculpting or etching is a technically difficult procedure. Your plastic surgeon must know his abdominal wall anatomy. When seeking revision VASER hi-def abdominal etching, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the VASER hi-def procedure. Not all plastic surgeons own a VASER machine, and most plastic surgeons do not perform the VASER hi-def procedure. Do your research. Make sure your selected plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching surgeries and has the before-and-after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before-and-after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced VASER HI-DEF plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling, if you must. 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.)

Abdominal etching is a cosmetic procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the abdominal muscles by selectively removing fat to create the illusion of more defined contours. It primarily targets subcutaneous fat and does not address issues related to the underlying abdominal muscles, such as diastasis recti.

Diastasis recti is a condition where the abdominal muscles separate, creating a gap between the rectus abdominis muscles. It is commonly associated with pregnancy and can result in a protruding abdomen. Abdominal etching does not correct diastasis recti, and it's important to address muscle separation before considering cosmetic procedures.

If someone has diastasis recti and is interested in both improving muscle separation and achieving a more sculpted appearance, they may need to consider procedures that specifically address the abdominal muscles. Surgical options such as abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) can include muscle repair along with the removal of excess skin and fat.

Here are key considerations:

Diastasis Recti Repair:

Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck): A tummy tuck can involve the repair of diastasis recti by suturing the separated muscles back together.
Results: This procedure can provide both functional improvement (muscle repair) and aesthetic enhancement (skin tightening and fat removal).
Combination Procedures:

Sequential Approach: In some cases, a surgeon may recommend a sequential approach, addressing diastasis recti through muscle repair in one surgery and considering abdominal etching in a subsequent procedure if desired.
Customized Plan: The treatment plan will be highly individualized based on the patient's goals and the surgeon's assessment.
Consultation with a Plastic Surgeon:

Assessment: It's crucial to have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can assess the extent of diastasis recti, discuss your aesthetic goals, and provide recommendations for an appropriate treatment plan.
Open Communication: Be transparent about your concerns and goals during the consultation so that the surgeon can develop a customized plan that aligns with your expectations.
Addressing diastasis recti through muscle repair is an important consideration before pursuing cosmetic procedures to enhance muscle definition. Always consult with a qualified plastic surgeon to determine the most suitable approach based on your individual anatomy and goals.

Yes abdominal etching and liposuction can be performed with patients with diastasis recti. However, liposuction and etching won't improve your diastasis recti. Diastasis is stretching and the underlying rectus muscle. This is deeper than where the liposuction and etching is performed. The only way to correct diastasis recti would be with a tummy tuck type of access to get to this deeper level.

Regards,

Surjit S. Rai, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon 

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.

You can have diastasis recti and still have excellent high definition liposuction with abdominal etching. remember that your vertical midline will be created by the sculpting which will camouflage your diastasis.