Duration
1 h 30 – 2 h
Type of anesthesia
General or local with sedation
Clinic stay
Outpatient up to 2 days
Social downtime
10 days
Price
On quotation,
from CHF 7,000
Goals of abdominal etching
Abdominal etching (also known as high-definition abdominal liposculpture or abdominal engraving) is a liposuction procedure that sculpts the contours of the abdominal muscles to make them stand out, thereby achieving the appearance of an athletic, firm abdomen.
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However, the enhanced contours will differ depending on the patient’s sex.
This abdominal engraving will reveal three types of muscular definition: the six-pack, corresponding to the rectus abdominis muscles; the Apollo’s V at the hips, corresponding to the insertions of the oblique muscles; and the linea alba, corresponding to the midline groove between the navel and the sternum.
This cosmetic surgery technique differs from liposuction because small amounts of fat are left in specific areas to enhance muscle volume and increase definition.
Whereas liposuction removes unwanted fat and slims the body in one or more areas, liposculpture aims for a more dramatic transformation by removing and leaving fat strategically to create the illusion of muscle tone.
Who is HD liposculpture for?
Good candidates for abdominal etching are generally active, slim individuals who are unable to achieve sufficient results despite regular exercise and a healthy diet.
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Abdominal etching is therefore suitable for people who wish to increase abdominal muscle definition and eliminate stubborn belly fat.
High-definition abdominal liposculpture is not suitable for patients with significant abdominal fat deposits, as the amount of fat removed is relatively small.
In such cases, we will recommend starting with abdominal liposuction. Abdominal etching is a surgical procedure that may involve risks and complications.
A first consultation with your surgeon is essential to know if this intervention is adapted to your particular situation.
Before and after pictures
How abdominal etching is performed
High-Definition Liposuction (HD liposculpture or abdominal etching) will positively transform the harmony of your silhouette.
Follow your surgeon’s recommendations to optimize the healing process and the quality of the result.
Before the intervention
The first consultation is essential to understand your request and your motivations. Depending on your morphology and your anatomy, your surgeon will determine his operating strategy.
Your surgeon carries out a precise and comprehensive examination of your body to assess the amount of fatty tissue and to ensure that your skin quality is sufficiently elastic to be eligible for abdominal etching.
A discussion about your exercise and dietary habits is also recommended during this consultation.
A preoperative check-up will be carried out in accordance with the prescriptions.
Anesthesia
In some cases, abdominal etching is performed as an outpatient procedure or with an overnight hospital stay under general anaesthesia, but most often local anaesthesia with sedation is sufficient. The choice of the technique will be made between you, your anesthesiologist and your surgeon.
A consultation with your anesthesiologist will take place a few days before your procedure.
The day of the procedure
Your surgeon will adapt his operating strategy according to your particular case in order to obtain the best possible result.
He begins by drawing detailed, precise markings of the abdominal and pectoral muscles.
He then performs the liposculpture, which involves removing fat from specific areas to highlight your muscular structure.
Through small incisions, the surgeon removes fat in certain areas, thins other areas, and redistributes fat via lipofilling (fat reinjection) to accentuate the abdominal muscles and the linea alba.
The incisions are very small and the scars will be almost invisible. At the end of the procedure, the surgeon applies a shaping dressing to help the skin adhere to the muscular and bony structures. Finally, a postoperative compression garment is placed over the shaping dressing.
The abdominal etching procedure lasts 2 to 3 hours, depending on the objectives to be achieved and any associated surgical steps.
After the procedure
Abdominal etching is a procedure in which the pain is similar to severe muscle soreness and is relieved with simple analgesic treatment.
Swelling and bruising in the abdominal area may occur and resolve within 3 weeks. Most patients are able to return to normal work after one week. Sport can be resumed after one month.
The dressing and compression garment cannot be removed for 10 days. The garment must be worn for 1 month. Compression stockings are worn for 14 days, and anticoagulant injections are prescribed for 14 days.
For a rapid recovery, you should avoid putting too much pressure on the abdominal area or lifting heavy objects for 2 weeks.
Provided by our expert physiotherapist, manual lymphatic drainage from the first days, followed by Endermologie® drainage, will be strongly recommended to speed up the reduction of swelling and optimise healing.
Results
Muscle definition is visible immediately, but for a definitive result, you must wait 3 to 6 months for the skin to soften, the subcutaneous tissues to deflate, and the skin to fully adhere to the muscle insertion areas.
The final result therefore appears after 6 months and provides great satisfaction to patients, as the result is spectacular. Please note that the result will be permanent if the patient maintains a healthy lifestyle and exercises regularly, but it may be compromised in the event of weight gain or stopping sporting activities.
The goal of this surgery is to bring an improvement and not to achieve perfection. If your wishes are realistic, the result should give you great satisfaction.
Liposuction fees
liposuction
Body liposuction helps redefine the silhouette by targeting localized excess fat.
| Liposuction | from CHF 7,000 |
The art of abdominal etching at Laclinic
At Laclinic, the artistic skills of the surgeons are essential for each intervention. For abdominal etching, the art of the technique lies in achieving a bespoke result for each patient and minimising risks as much as possible thanks to state-of-the-art techniques.
Your Laclinic surgeon, trained by the world’s leading specialists in this procedure, has complete mastery of the abdominal etching technique, which originated in the United States and which he has refined through extensive practice.
He will ensure that your abdomen is sculpted subtly and harmoniously, with an artistic touch and a result that avoids a standardised look.
Would you like more information or the opinion of a professional?
We look forward to hearing from you. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Around the surgery
The first consultation
The first appointment is essential to identify your needs and expectations. Our specialists will take all the necessary time to understand your demand and offer you the best advice.
Anesthesia
Sensitive to the potentially traumatic dimension of any operation, Laclinic's doctors pay close attention to pain management to make the operation as comfortable and safe as possible.
Your stay
Laclinic is committed to welcoming its guests with friendliness and discretion. The quality of service is worthy of a five-star hotel.
Associated treatments
During abdominal etching, other surgical procedures may be combined to improve the silhouette, refine it and define it by performing high-definition liposculpture of the back and arms.
Abdominal liposuction
Abdominal liposuction, also called abdominal lipoaspiration, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that permanently removes, by suction, excess fat cells from the abdominal area in men or women. It therefore reshapes the abdomen.
