I'm very confused. What's the difference between ab etching and liposuction?

Excellent question. 
Abdominal etching is performed using Vaser assisted liposuction, which utilizes ultrasound to emulsify or melt felt prior to removal. This type of liposuction is 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 you 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.

The best candidates for the procedure already have a good muscular base.

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

Abdominal etching and liposuction are both cosmetic procedures that involve the removal of excess fat, but they differ in their goals and techniques. Here's a breakdown of the key differences between abdominal etching and liposuction:

Abdominal Etching:

Goal: The primary goal of abdominal etching is to enhance the visibility of the underlying abdominal muscles by selectively removing fat in specific areas. This creates the appearance of more defined muscle contours, often resembling a six-pack.
Target Area: Abdominal etching is highly focused on the abdominal region, specifically the rectus abdominis muscles.
Technique: Surgeons use liposuction techniques but with a more detailed and precise approach to selectively remove fat around the muscle borders, emphasizing the natural anatomy of the abdominal muscles.
Liposuction:

Goal: Liposuction is a broader term that refers to the removal of excess fat from various areas of the body to improve overall body contours. The goal is not necessarily to enhance muscle definition but rather to sculpt and contour the body by reducing localized fat deposits.
Target Areas: Liposuction can be performed on multiple body areas, including the abdomen, thighs, hips, buttocks, arms, and more.
Technique: Liposuction techniques involve the suction of fat through a thin tube (cannula) inserted through small incisions. The surgeon may use various methods, such as traditional liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, or laser-assisted liposuction.
Key Differences:

Focus: Abdominal etching specifically targets the abdominal muscles and aims to enhance their visibility. Liposuction, in a more general sense, focuses on reducing localized fat in various body areas.
Outcome: The outcome of abdominal etching is often a more sculpted and defined appearance of the abdominal muscles. Liposuction results in improved body contours by reducing excess fat in targeted areas.
Technique: Abdominal etching is a specialized form of liposuction with a focus on muscle enhancement, while liposuction encompasses a range of techniques for overall body contouring.
Considerations:

Ideal Candidates: Abdominal etching is suitable for individuals with good muscle tone seeking enhanced abdominal muscle definition. Liposuction is suitable for those looking to reduce localized fat deposits and improve overall body contours.
Customization: Abdominal etching is highly customized to the anatomy of the abdominal muscles. Liposuction can be tailored to address specific areas of concern on the body.
It's important to note that the terminology used by surgeons may vary, and some may use the term "abdominal etching" to describe a more general form of liposuction focused on the abdomen. If you're considering either procedure, consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals, receive a personalized assessment, and understand the most suitable approach for achieving your desired results.

Thank you for your question regarding the difference between Ab Etching and liposuction. Ab etching is a form of liposuction. During liposuction, fat is removed. During abdominal etching, extra time is spent to chisel out the fat that overlies the muscle leading to a more muscular and athletic appearance. In traditional liposuction of the abdominal wall, the tumescent solution is inserted and allowed to sit to maximize the VASER construction of the epinephrine. Then a cannula is inserted, and fat is asperated. During ab etching, there is another step between the insertion of tumescent solution and aspiration of fat. This is the application of an instrument called the VASER. VASER uses ultrasonic energy to melt the fat around the muscle bellies and heats the skin to maximize skin shrinkage during healing. Ab etching requires more time and careful precision. In addition, ab etching requires intricately knowing the abdominal wall musculature. In the end, it ultimately depends on what you are looking for. If you're looking for a more flat abdomen, consider traditional liposuction. Consider abdominal etching if you're looking for a six-pack, athletic-looking abdomen. Yes, if you have traditional liposuction, you will probably not have resulting abs. You will probably have a flat abdomen without fat. The abdominal etching does provide accentuation and definition of the rectus abdominal muscle. I hope I helped to answer your question regarding the difference between Ab Etching and liposuction.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Abdominal etching uses liposuction.  When doing liposuction alone the amount to the fat is reduced evenly throughout the abdomen. Abdominal x-ray was performed more fat is taken in the area of the obliques and at the level of the rectus inscriptions, creating a six-pack. A thicker fatty layer is left over the rectus muscle body, creating the six pack "pillows".

Good Afternoon:I like your answer alot and it something that truely confuses alot of peoplebut the difrent is that is streching the skin and lipo is taking the grease out in part of body.

Liposuction etching is a technique that aims to selectively suction out significantly more fat from a given area as compared to the surrounding area.  Thus it creates an indentation is aesthetically desired areas. 

Liposuction is a surgical procedure wherein the surgeon removes fat cells by passing a small tube called cannula and aspirating the fat using a negative suction. Liposuction can be done on many body areas like abdomen, arms, thighs ,love handles etc. When liposuction is done on an abdomen and performed in such a way so has to enhance the contour of the underlying rectus muscle it is called abdominal etching. when the cannula emits either laser or USG it would be called by the brand name using the same. Solta Vaser is a machine used for liposuction in which the cannula emits USG waves to lyse the fat.

Thank you for your question. With liposuction the procedure’s primary purpose is to restore more attractive contours and proportions to the body through the removal of excess fatty deposits. Abdominal Etching – a groundbreaking liposuction technique is for sculpting six-pack. I personally utilize the MicroAire PAL technique for Abdominal Etching patients. During the procedure, both the waist and abdomen are recontoured through a two-fold process: after thinning the abdominal fat pad, fat is selectively removed from the underlying muscles to define their contours. Be sure to find a board certified plastic surgeon who performs at least 100 of these procedures per year. Wish you all the best,Dr. Mentz 

Abdominal etching is liposuction of the abdomen; however, it requires VASER LIPO + POWER X + JPLASMA skin tightening. Abdominal etching involves not only removing the deep fat but actually sculpting the belly so that you have your six pack showing; routine abdominal liposuction takes 1 to 2 hours; abdominal etching takes up to 3 hours.

That is an excellent question reflecting evolving terminology and technology causing confusion.
I can easily understand why you might be confused because both terms refer to removal of subcutaneous  fat  by liposuction techniques.  Here are some "basic definitions" which many plastic surgeons still use today, that may clarify the distinction between abdominal liposuction and etching for today. Be aware terminology continues to evolve.
Abdominal Liposuction is primarily intended to
remove bulk  fat localized to the traditional  "deep"
subcutaneous compartment of the abdomen nearest the muscle surface. It is not intended to give you a full six pack look.
However, "liposculpture" or a bit more "superficial" liposuction of the subcutaneous fat layer can be added to deep liposuction. This  can basically shape your abdomen with a central linear depression (linea alba) and two side crescents framing the sides of the central rectus abominus muscle without the three pairs of  horizontal tendinous inscriptions, usually two pairs above and one pair at the belly button. This is all still  commonly called liposuction by many but not all plastic surgeons. 
 Abdominal etching involves more selective careful  removal of additional superficial subcutaneous
fat in a pattern which is determined by palpating the six horizontal  tendinous inscriptions and one vertical linea
alba and the two slight vertical crescenteric depression framing the sides,
that  together more precisely determine the architecture of the preexisting but not yet visible
six pack. Etching is intended to allow the underlying natural native muscle
pattern of the rectus abdominus to become evident by selectively thinning (by
liposculpture) the subcutaneous fat. The surrounding musculature is also typically defined with such "etching" techniques. 
The  Solta
Vaser is a liposuction system that additionally introduces ultrasound to first emulsify
subcutaneous fat before it is removed by liposuction. Such technology assists
but is not essential to abdominal etching or "high definition liposculpture."
I hope this helps add some perspective to your question. Basically, much more work is required in defining each pair of horizontal tendinous inscriptions, as there can be significant variability in their locations.  Also patient selection is critical in offering abdominal etching.
Given all the above and anything else you may read, I would definitely ask your plastic surgeon how he personally and specifically defines those terms in order to properly satisfy  your concerns preoperatively.
Best of luck.