Abdominal Etching for Health & Fitness 

Published in Health and Fitness Magazine, 1996

Henry A. Mentz, MD, FACS, FICS

"Move over, Mr. Universe." A new technique of abdominal liposuction developed by Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons in Houston is helping fitness-conscious males achieve the rippled, muscular look known among body builders as a "washboard" stomach.

The technique, "Abdominal Etching," is a safe procedure that selectively removes a limited amount of abdominal fat to enhance outlines and allow muscular definitions to be revealed.

Body builders often face a dilemma in achieving the "washboard" look, even with a rigid diet and training program. The fat pad over the abdominal muscles obscures the muscular detail, hiding the ridges the body builder has worked so hard to create. In effect, we help the body builder reveal natural creases which have been hidden by excess fat unaffected by any exercise or diet methods.

Candidates for Abdominal Etching are generally young (average age 32) and very fit. They follow a vigorous exercise plan and a tightly controlled diet to achieve 8-15% total body fat, but still have this layer of fat over their abdominal area which is resistant to reduction.

For some patients, like body builders, we use Abdominal Etching to remove fat for a muscular appearance; for those weekend athletes who are not daily body builders and desire a fit appearance without the "washboard" effect, we use the "Modified Abdominal Etching Technique" to create an athletic look.

First, the doctor makes detailed markings of the abdominal muscles while the patient flexes in a standing position. A tiny instrument (2 mm in diameter) is then used to remove fat in the premarked areas and highlight the individual muscular structure.

A poll of our initial Abdominal Etching patients at Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons revealed their final outcome was above their pre-surgical expectations. The operation takes about 1-1/2 hours and is performed as an outpatient in day surgery. Patients returned to normal activities in 1-10 days and resumed normal exercise regimens in 5-10 days. All patients reported satisfaction that they had the procedure performed and would recommend it to others.

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For additional information on this liposuction article, please contact:

Henry Mentz, MD, FACS, FICS
(713) 799-9999

Source: Health and Fitness Magazine of Houston, Texas
http://www.drmentz.com

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