We can nowadays sculpt the abdomen area thanks to the RFAL (Radiofrequency Assisted Liposuction) technology. It is a procedure that can be performed on its own, when there is no fat excess in the abdomen area, but is usually combined with other procedures, like a liposuction, a fat transfer or a tummy tuck and concerns both men and women. The surgery removes fat excess and creates a sculpted abdomen, to the desired degree. Results are impressive but natural and can not be achieved only with exercising or dieting.
What’s an abdominal etching?
Who’s a good candidate?
It concerns men who have tried unsuccessfully to achive six packs abs with exercise. It also concerns women who dream of six packs abs or want to have a mommy make over after a pregnancy. The skin on the abdomen area is particularly elastic and is likely impossible to return,after a pregnancy, to its prior state only with exercise. Sagging skin may lead to lack of self confidence, mostly for women who wish to see their abs tight and sculpted once again.
Facts I need to know
Abdominal etching surgery is performed in an organised clinic under general anesthesia and takes about 1 hour when performed on its own but can take longer if combined with other surgical procedures. Patients do not usually have to spend the night in the hospital. The doctor performs very small incisions in strategically chosen areas that can be hidden in the skin’s folds, the bikini line and the belly button area. Through these incisions she enters under the skin a very small cannula that emits controlled radiofrequency. The thermal energy of radiofrequencies acts tightens the tissues under the skin and grafts the abdomen muscles following their natural folds. The fibrosis that is created on these areas makes results permanent and impressive. Fat deposits, smaller or larger, are usuallly removed from the central and the side parts (love handles) of the abdomen. When necessary the surgery is combined with a tummy tuck – especially after a child birth or a significant weight loss- in order to remove a larger amount of skin excess and, also, reposition the abdomen muscles.
Recovery Time
After the surgery patients return home on the same day. They notice mild pain that is treated with medication and are instructed to wear, for about 2 weeks, a special compression garment that limits the swelling and the bruising and keeps skin at its new position. They can return to work and every day activities 3 to 5 days after the surgery but strenuous exercise must be avoided for the first 4 weeks. The swelling subsides a month following the procedure and, by then, the outcome is visible but keeps evolving for the next 3 months and continues to improve even up to 12 months later when it becomes comletely visible. Results are permanent but patients need to follow a healthy diet and regular exercise in order to maintain them. A significant weight gain or a pregnancy will affect the result.
Doctor’s Remarks
I am very happy to have at my disposal the latest technology that allows me to offer satisfying results to even the most athletic and well trained people that dream of impressive sculpted abs. However some patients may only wish to have minimal contouring, lose some centimeters around their waist and have a youthful appearance in the area and, in these cases, I perform Bodytite that firms an contours, lilposuction for a slimmer waist and Morpheus Fractional RF that permanently smooths and rejuvenates skin.