Abdominal Etching

Abdominal Etching, more commonly referred to as the rippled or washboard look, is a cosmetic procedure designed to give patients a new abdomen and waist contour.

Abdominal etching is the cheaters way of acquiring six-pack or eight-pack abs as it produces the appearance of a finely sculpted abdomen, an effect that may not be achieved by weight loss or exercise alone. 

Historically, liposuction was developed to treat small, localised deposits of excess fat on individuals who were at or near their optimal weight. Over the years, scientific advancements have extended the application to remove larger volumes. However, many individuals seek out the expertise of plastic/cosmetic surgeons in sculpting isolated areas of the body by the artful removal of small amounts of fat.

Abdominal etching gives men the "washboard" or "ripped” look by combining liposuction with liposculpture to create subtle ripples in the abdominal area, allowing the underlying abdominal muscles to show greater detail achieving a more athletic appearing abdomen. Fat is selectively removed from the abdomen in a specialised way that actually enhances muscle definition in this area.

Most incisions are hidden in the natural body creases of the body and leave very small scars. The procedure safely brings a typical male waist of 36-40 inches to 28-32 inches. However, this procedure is not a substitute for weight loss. Ideal candidates are of relatively normal weight with only isolated pockets of fat.

The surgery usually takes one to two hours and is performed under general anaesthesia. You will be allowed home several hours after the procedure. Moderate bruising and pain will be experienced for a few days, which can easily be controlled by pain medication. You can shower on the second day after surgery.

A compressive liposuction garment will need to be worn for three to six weeks. Swelling is mild to moderate for the first week but some swelling may linger down low, near the incision, for several months. Most patients return to work after about three to five days and can resume their workout routines after about seven days.