3 years after six-pack surgery. How to fix artificial lines around abdomen? (photos)

Question

Three years ago, I had a six-pack surgery, but I am not satisfied with the artificial lines around my abdomen. How can these lines be corrected? Is there a non-surgical solution besides fat transfer?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Eclectic571397. Thank you for your history and your pictures. Thank you for your question regarding how to fix the artificial lines around your abdomen three years after six-pack abdominal etching surgery. I’m sorry you’re not satisfied with the artificial lines around your abdominal etching. Your abdominal etching can be corrected in two ways. Either you could have abdominal fat transfer or you could have a revision liposuction to erase these abdominal etching marks. Fat transfer is very difficult to correct for abdominal etching. Fat transfer is difficult because of abdominal scar tissue created during the abdominal etching. Also, for abdominal etching revision, fat grafting is difficult to get even. Not all fat will survive based on unpredictable variables (survivability of the fat cell, micro infection, irregular fat placement, lack of blood supply to the newly transferred fat cell, too much compression ).  All these causes and more will lead to irregularities of the abdomen after fat grafting to correct for abdominal etching. 
An easier procedure than fat grafting to correct abdominal etching is to perform VASER liposuction to erase the areas of etching. The VASER will help to correct and camouflage the prior abdominal etching. You may also want to consider combining radio frequency with VASER  liposuction for optimal results; both VASER correction liposuction and RF procedures can be performed at the same time. The revision surgery with VASER Liposuction should be performed under general anesthesia by an experienced plastic surgeon with significant experience in performing VASER Liposuction.

Raja Mohan, MD · Answer

I recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon for a solution. Fat transfer is an option but you seem to be in good shape and I am not sure if you have enough fat to transfer to fix the unnatural appearance of the lines.

Daniel P. Markmann, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, getting rid of the lines entirely is tough to do.   The scar tissue under the lines needs to be released and filled with fat.   It also might require more than one procedure to get the best results.

Arif Eroglu, MD · Answer

t's essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in body contouring and aesthetics. You need a secondary surgery, if fat is re-injected to turn you back to your original state, it will cause fibrosis. The best option would be to have a secondary surgery where plastic surgeon needs to extract along the lines to create a better looking and more realistic abdomen for you

3 years after six-pack surgery. How to fix artificial lines around abdomen? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: A secondary surgery

Answer: A secondary surgery

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Abdominal Etching

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

3 years after six-pack surgery. How to fix artificial lines around abdomen? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: A secondary surgery

Answer: A secondary surgery

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Abdominal Etching

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.