Thank you for your question regarding the presence of a hernia and considering undergoing VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching. If a hernia is suspected, an abdominal ultrasound should be performed before or during surgery. In my practice, I have many patients who have an umbilical or abdominal hernia who request VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching. I still offer these patients the option of having VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching. The problem is that if liposuction is performed before the hernia is fixed, the liposuction cannula can perforate the hernia. Perforating a hernia can make you very sick and patients can die. Therefore, for my patients who are requesting VASER HI-DEF abdominal etching and have an umbilical hernia, I repair the hernia at the beginning of the surgery. The hernia repair is done first and the hernia is repaired with permanent suture. After the hernia is repaired and during the same surgical setting, tumescent solution is inserted for VASER HI-DEF liposuction. Then, the VASER probe is inserted, the abdominal fat is melted and the abdominal wall is heated. Then, the micoaire liposuction cannula is inserted and the fat around the abdominal muscle fat is removed. After the VASER HI-DEF liposuction procedure, the intra-abdominal wall muscles are revealed. Therefore, I would suggest you have your hernia repaired BEFORE your abdominal etching or during abdominal etching at the beginning of your procedure. Either way, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon who is comfortable in performing hernia repairs and VASER Hi-DEF abdominal etching at the same time. Thank you. VASER HI-DEF abdominal sculpting or etching is a technically difficult procedure. Your plastic surgeon must know his abdominal wall anatomy. When seeking initial or 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 have 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. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, 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 and RealSelf Hall of Fame).