Six-pack Abs Surgery(Abdominal Etching): Benefits, Recovery

If you are following your gym workout routine meticulously, practicing healthy eating, and in spite of such efforts, you are unable to achieve your goal of developing six-pack abs, you are not alone. People who have issues like skin elasticity, stubborn fat pockets, and genetic factors might have difficulty developing etched abs despite following a dedicated workout regimen. In such cases, opting for six-pack abs surgery is a wise decision. This cosmetic surgical procedure is also referred to as abdominal etching or ab etching, which specifically enhances the way your abdominal muscles look.

Six-pack abs surgery is designed to sculpt your fat strategically along the natural abdomen muscle contours to deliver a well-defined, etched abs. This latest body contouring procedure has become a preferred option among fitness lovers, bodybuilding enthusiasts, and celebrities. It is also useful for individuals who prefer to flaunt an athletic body with toned abs without toiling hard in the gym. Keep reading to learn more about six-pack abs surgery, who can opt for ab etching, its benefits, recovery, risks, cost, and maintenance tips to make a well-informed decision.

What Is Six-Pack Abs Surgery (Abdominal Etching)?

Six-pack sculpting was first presented by Dr Henry Mentz, its inventor, in 1993 at the conference of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons. This technique, based on liposuction, was invented for creating well-defined muscles in the male’s torso region. Six-pack sculpting is the specialized variant of liposuction that focuses on the tiny fat deposits in the strategic areas of your abdomen.

Midsection fat tends to be stubborn, as this subcutaneous fat helps your body by protecting your vital organs, restricting heat loss, and shielding against external stress [1]. This fat is resistant to diet and workouts, which is why your flabby midsection stays intact despite your weight loss. This procedure has high precision to eliminate the fat in a specific way, highlighting the abdominal muscle anatomy naturally.

Abdominal etching focuses on creating a well-defined, more prominent, and chiseled abdomen to make your six-pack much visible and to make your side oblique muscles more visible [2]. The procedure’s objective is to deliver well-developed muscular abs without spending long hours doing exercises. A study held with people who underwent abdominal etching showed that about 98% of the poll participants were very satisfied with the results [3].

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for Six-pack Sculpting?

To become a suitable candidate for six-pack ab surgery, you must meet the criteria listed below:

• Ideal Weight Range: People who are close to their ideal body weight or maintain the ideal weight regularly can opt for six-pack sculpting. This is because the ab etching procedure is not a weight loss solution and aims at defining abdominal muscle enhancement.
• Perfect Health: The candidate who wishes to undergo six-pack ab surgery must have perfect overall health. They must not have any chronic medical issues, as it might affect the surgical procedure and its recovery.
• Balanced Lifestyle: Individuals who maintain a perfect lifestyle featuring a regular workout regimen and a well-balanced diet can opt for ab etching. Having a healthy lifestyle would help you maintain long-lasting six-pack ab sculpting results.
• No Smoking Habit: You must not have a smoking habit, as it can mess with healing and lead to unfavorable complications during or after the ab etching procedure.
• Being Realistic about Outcomes: It is essential to have realistic expectations before opting for a six-pack sculpting procedure regarding the outcome. You must also understand that ab etching procedure aims at improving muscle definition and will not lead to new muscle development.

Benefits of Six-Pack Sculpting

Here are the top benefits of six-pack ab sculpting:

• Chiseled and Sculpted Abdominal Muscles: The major benefit of choosing six-pack sculpting is its ability to deliver a dramatically looking abdomen that workouts and diet failed to offer. You will be able to flaunt your six-pack abdomen soon after the first session of the ab etching procedure. There is no need to invest several hours per day exercising to develop well-toned abs. With a healthy lifestyle, you will be able to enhance your sculpted six-pack results with time.
• Results are Permanent: The well-defined muscles in your abdomen are the permanent outcome of the ab sculpting procedure. As your body will be unable to replace the eliminated fat pockets during the six-pack sculpting procedure, the definition stays intact. However, to retain it for a lifetime, you must follow a healthy lifestyle. Always remember that gaining extra body weight can hurt the surgical outcome.
• Minimal Scarring: This cosmetic procedure helps you flaunt those perky six-packs with pride, as there are no concerns like scarring. There would be no visible scars associated with ab etching, as the technique is performed by making small incisions, which heal immediately. The scars of the incisions will fade away as soon as it is healed.
• Fast-paced Recovery: One of the biggest benefits of ab etching procedure is its quick recovery period. You will be able to get back to your routine life and regular activities within a week’s time after six-pack sculpting. You can also indulge in gym workouts about 3 weeks after your abdominal etching procedure.
• Regain Confidence: With ab etching, you can finally stay relieved that all your gym efforts are finally showing up in your abdomen area. Knowing that you are one of those fitness lovers who will be able to flaunt a six-pack will give you a confidence boost and enhance your body image.

Recovery & After-care Guidelines for Six-pack Sculpting

• You can expect discomfort, slight bruising, and swelling in the abdominal region after a six-pack sculpting session.
• You might have to wear compression garments to lower swelling and to provide enough support for the abdominal muscles.
• You can do light workout activities gradually after 7 days and should wait for a few more weeks before practicing heavy workouts.
• Rest and keep your torso elevated to reduce swelling.
• Walk inside your home for 10 minutes, followed by two hours of rest to strengthen your torso.
• Fix follow-up appointments with your surgeon to stay assured that your abdominal muscles are healing at the right pace and to track the outcomes.
• Eat a balanced diet that is nutritious to improve healing and enhance health.
• Remember to stay relaxed without any stress and avoid smoking.
• Do not get exposed to direct sunlight after your ab etching procedure.

Risks / Side Effects of Six-Pack Abs Surgery

It is essential to understand that all surgical cosmetic procedures are associated with some risks or side effects. Despite being a low-risk procedure, six-pack sculpting might cause a few side effects:

1. Discoloration of skin
2. Nerve damage
3. Uneven healing
4. Bruising
5. Headache
6. Accumulation of fluid
7. Swelling
8. Bumps on skin
9. Damage to blood vessels

Limitations of Six-Pack Abs Surgery

• Depends on Your Lifestyle: To maintain the six-pack sculpted abs, it is important to have a proper workout and diet plan. If you don’t follow this lifestyle, results might be lost.
• Aging and Body Weight Changes: The way your sculpted abs appear might change as you age and gain weight over time.
• Not an Obesity Solution: Ab etching is not a weight loss treatment, and only individuals with ideal body weight can opt for it.
• Success Rate: The success outcome of six-pack sculpting depends on the experience and skills of the board-certified surgeon.

Cost of Six-Pack Sculpting

The cost of six-pack sculpting in India varies between Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs. The cost might vary based on a few factors like:

• Extent of sculpting area
• Expertise of your surgeon performing ab etching
• Clinic’s geographic location
• Extent of fat removed from the abdomen
• Technology used, like laser, power-assisted, etc.

Maintaining Results: Diet, Exercise & Lifestyle

To maintain the six-pack abs after ab etching, you must maintain a consistent lifestyle and follow the pointers discussed below.

• Nutritious and Balanced Diet: Your diet must include healthy fats, lean proteins, complex carbs, vitamins, and minerals.
• Regular Workouts: Your exercise regimen must have core-strengthening workouts, strength training, and cardiovascular exercises to define your ab muscles.
• Enough Hydration: Drink enough water to enhance skin elasticity, support overall body function, and stay fit.
• Stay Healthy: Avoid smoking, high sugar, high fat, and alcohol consumption. Always get enough sleep for overall health improvement.
• Body Weight Management: Experiencing significant weight loss or weight gain will impact your six-pack’s visibility. So, it is essential to maintain a stable weight consistently, even as you age.