Abdominal etching revision - the lines are too harsh. How can I improve this? (Photo)

Question

I had abdominal etching and feel they are to harsh and straight. I wanted to lighten the straight lines and not have them so prominent when I pull my skin tighter the lines don’t seem to harsh, when I don’t I don’t like the look. What do you think of scultpra? I heard my only option is fat grafting ? Im Lost and need help

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Helpful529935, thank you for your question regarding abdominal etching revision where you believe the lines are too harsh and how you can improve this. Thank you for your history and pictures. There are two ways to look at this “problem." One way to look at it is to view the situation as the lines outlining the rectus abdominis muscle needing to be filled.  The lines that would need to be filled would include the semilunaris lines and the linea alba. To fill these areas, you can consider three options: your native fat, Sculptura, or Alloclae The problem with harvesting your own fat is that you may not have fat elsewhere to provide an adequate donor site. The problem with Sculptura is it’s very expensive, and you will require multiple treatments. Another option would be Alloclae.  Alloclae and Sculptura are good alternative solutions because they do not require you to have fat, and they are endless supplies that can be obtained. In addition, Sculptura and Alloclae do not require IV sedation and can be done in the office.  Another way to look at the situation is that you still have abdominal wall fat. The abdominal wall fat can be seen between the semilunaris lines and the linea alba. Without physical examination and just based on your pictures, most plastic surgeons would agree you still have fat in this area. Therefore, instead of filling in the semilunaris and linea alba lines, some plastic surgeons would recommend liposuction of the area between the semilunaris lines to bring down the excess fat and thus soften the lines. The risk with this is that you may have lumps throughout the abdomen. Revision liposuction and finesse liposuction have an increased chance of ripping and asymmetry due to the complexity of the revision liposuction surgery.  Therefore, in conclusion, you have two options: you can fill the lines or have liposuction to make the lines appear less harsh by doing liposuction from the seminar line to the linear alba on both sides.  Each treatment plan has its own risks and benefits. I hope I’ve answered your question regarding abdominal etching revision where you believe the lines are too harsh and how you can improve this. 
If you have any more questions regarding VASER liposuction or reduction surgery, contact an experienced plastic surgeon. Since VASER HI DEF liposuction is a specialized procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in VASER HI DEF liposuction.   Do your research.   Look at their website.  Look at their reviews on RealSelf.  If you cannot find an experienced, VASER HI DEF liposuction plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS. (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.)

Jacob Carlson, MD · Answer

The way the lines are created in abdominal etching is by doing very aggressive liposuction to remove the fat between the skin and the abdominal wall fascia in those specific areas. When we do that, it obviously removes the volume from those spots, but with healing, it also creates scar tissue along those lines. Using something (like Sculptra) to replace the volume that has been removed is an option, but it may be difficult to fill in those spaces and work around the scar tissue that has been formed. Fat transfer to those areas would have that same technical difficulty, but if you are under general anesthesia for that, the surgeon could attempt to break up or release some of the scar tissue.
Alternatively, a surgeon could liposuction the remaining fat to make the lines appear less prominent. That approach depends on how much fat was left behind. Based on the photo you submitted, it's hard to tell if there's any significant volume of fat in the central abdomen or flanks where liposuction could be done to determine if this is a viable option.

Abdominal etching revision - the lines are too harsh. How can I improve this? (Photo)

Answers (2)

More Abdominal Etching Questions

Can I have a revision on my ab etching to suck out more fat, without messing up the ab etching? (Photos)

How is abdominal etching different to regular liposuction?

Will Lipo360/ Ab Etching looking good on me? (Photo)

Low body fat percentage and fit and unsure if I’m an eligible candidate? (Photo)

Not happy with the outcome of my ab etching. Is there a procedure to correct it? (Photo)

How can someone be a candidate for a BBL with abdominal etching?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS