When you get Abdominal Etching, can you wear a board at 4 weeks without the foam?

Hi Change$sexyme, Thank you for your question regarding when can you wear an abdominal board after abdominal etching and whether you can wear an ab board 4 weeks after ab etching without foam.  
Usually, abdominal etching is performed with an instrument called the VASER. The VASER uses ultrasonic energy to melt fat, sculpt underlying muscles, and shrink wrap the skin overlying the muscle. The VASER will result in an area of high muscle definition with a well-defined athletic and muscular area. Typically, the VASER HI-DEF technique is applied to the abdomen, resulting in abdominal etching or six pack abs. The VASER HI- DEF technique can also be applied to the biceps, triceps, deltoids and even the gastrocnemius (calf) muscles. The VASER technique help to accentuate underlying muscle by removing fat. Since the VASER is a high-energy procedure, it requires time to heal. Most of the swelling will be gone at approximately two weeks. 90 to 95% of the swelling should be gone at eight weeks.  
Plastic surgeons have different opinions regarding postoperative compression. Most plastic surgeons use a compression garment to minimize swelling. Most plastic surgeons do use foam for approximately two weeks. However, most plastic surgeons would NOT suggest using a ab board. An ab board may flatten your results. If you apply the board to the muscle, it will flatten the newly sculpted muscles.  This is not the result you’re looking for. The VASER sculpted muscles display their results due to the three-dimensionality of the muscles. If you use an ab board to flatten the muscle, the three-dimensionality will disappear. You should not apply the ab board to the muscles. If you are going to apply an ab board to the abdomen, please only apply the board to the flat areas of the lower abdomen, under the belly button to the pubic region. However, most plastic surgeons would not suggest you apply an ab board to any areas where muscle had been sculpted. I hope these comments help to answer your questions regarding if you can wear an ab board 4 weeks after abdominal etching.  Good luck! Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.

Thank you for your question.  I suggest you follow all of your plastic surgeons specific post op instructions to ensure you get the best results.  Best of luck!Dhaval Patel
Double Board Certified 
Plastic Surgeon
Hoffman Estates
Oakbrook
Orland Park
Chicago

Hello change4sexymeI would advice you visit or contact your surgeon for all post-op instructions.....

Hello,Some surgeons think it's okay at 3 weeks, but I recommend checking with your surgeon since everyone approaches this a little differently.All the best,Dr. BlaggAustin, TX

My recommendation since you went to a surgeon whom you trust, is to follow that physicians postoperative instructions to the T.  Call their office and ask them and if the staff does not give you an answer that seems appropriate, ask for a followup appt with the doc so you can discuss it with them. 

Hi and thanks for the question. Every surgeon has variations in their post-procedural compression protocols - this includes when to remove the foam. I would ask your doctor, as her or she may have specific reasons to keeping it on.Best wishes,Dr. Vallecillos 

Thank you for your question. You may experience moderate to minimal pain, but most patients can return to work within 5-7 days and resume exercise within 3 weeks. Following the procedure, you will be fitted with a compression garment to reduce bruising and swelling. Most bruising and swelling diminishes within 2 weeks. That being said you should be safe to do so but always speak with your board certified plastic surgeon on what their post op instructions for recovery are for your specific needs. Wish you all the best,Dr. Mentz

With abdominal etching, you only need the form for 2 weeks after surgery. Nothing else would be necessary.