At LA Plastic Surgery, we perform ab etching in Bradenton for men who have put in the work on their core but still carry a layer of fat that hides the muscle underneath. The procedure is also called abdominal etching or VASER Hi Def six pack abs.
We remove fat in a pattern that follows your own abdominal muscles, so the lines of a six pack show through even when you are relaxed.
Ab Etching in Bradenton & Sarasota, FL
At LA Plastic Surgery, we perform ab etching in Bradenton for men who have put in the work on their core but still carry a layer of fat that hides the muscle underneath. The procedure is also called abdominal etching or VASER Hi Def six pack abs.
We remove fat in a pattern that follows your own abdominal muscles, so the lines of a six pack show through even when you are relaxed.
Click on any image to enlarge. Individual results may vary.
Ab etching is a high definition form of liposuction. Instead of removing fat evenly across the stomach, we take more fat along the natural grooves of the abdomen and leave a thin layer over each muscle. Light catches the raised areas and shadows fall in the grooves, which creates the look of defined abs.
The procedure does not change the muscles themselves. It brings out the shape you already have.
Planning starts with a full body analysis on our SHAPE Scale, which documents fat pockets, body measurements and BMI. We mark your abdomen while you stand and flex so the lines match your own anatomy.
Ab etching suits men who are close to their goal weight. You may be a good fit if:
If you have more fat to lose, standard liposuction may be the better first step, and etching can follow later.
You wear a compression garment for several weeks to control swelling and help the skin settle into the new contours. Walking starts the same day, and most men return to desk work in about a week.
Core training and heavy lifting usually wait 4 to 6 weeks, with your surgeon clearing each step. Swelling hides some of the definition at first, and the lines sharpen over the following months.
Many men treat the chest, flanks and abdomen in one session so the whole torso matches. Etching along the lower border of the chest pairs well with abdominal etching, and men with chest fullness can add gynecomastia surgery at the same time.
Dr. Melinda Lacerna is a plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in body contouring. Dr. Brian Kimbrell is a double board-certified surgeon in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, with added training in body contouring. A runner, cyclist and CrossFit athlete himself, he understands the goals of men who train.
“Dr Lacerna and Dr Kimball teamed up and removed a huge lipoma on my right hip, and performed liposuction to even out my outer hips on both sides. I am beyond pleased with my results and how I look and feel.”
Debra Kohlmann, Google review
Ab etching in Bradenton and Sarasota usually ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. The price depends on how many areas we treat, whether the flanks or chest are included, anesthesia and facility fees, and the detail of the etching plan. This range is an estimate only; your exact price is set after your consultation and depends on your treatment plan. Financing options are available to help spread the cost over time.
No. The procedure removes fat over and around the muscles. The definition you see comes from your own abdominal muscles, which is why some muscle tone helps.
The fat cells we remove do not come back. A stable weight keeps the lines visible, while large weight gain can soften them.
Ab etching uses a few tiny openings placed in natural creases and the belly button area, and these fade over time.
You will see a flatter stomach early on. The full definition shows once swelling settles, usually over three to six months.
It suits men near their goal weight, it takes patience while swelling resolves and the result holds up with steady training and diet.
Book a consultation at our Bradenton office to see whether ab etching fits your body and goals. You can also explore our other treatments for men and our men’s before and after gallery.
