Abdominal Etching can achieve improved abdominal contour by sculpting the six pack
Dr. Mentz invented the Abdominal Etching® (Ab Etching® , Ab Etch®) liposuction technique in 1992 to create more visible muscular definition in the male torso. Also referred to as the “washboard abs” look, the procedure is designed for men who are relatively fit who desire a leaner, chiseled abdominal appearance. Dr. Mentz developed a modified Abdominal Etching® method for men who have higher body fat levels above 20 percent.
Dr. Mentz uses a PAL technique for his Abdominal Etching patients. You can learn more about the MicroAire PAL LipoSculptor and watch videos featuring Dr. Mentz at the MicroAire PAL website. During the procedure, both the waist and abdomen are recontoured through a two-fold process: after thinning the abdominal fat pad, fat is selectively removed from the the underlying muscles to define their contours. Because half of all Abdominal Etching® patients also have softness and fullness in the breast region, Dr. Mentz frequently combines Abdominal Etching® with a gynecomastia procedure to reduce breast size and Pectoral Etching® to reveal pectoralis muscle definition in the chest.
Since its introduction, Abdominal Etching® has garnered international acclaim. Dr. Mentz has presented the technique to plastic surgeons around the globe and teaches a popular course on the specialized lipocontouring technique at the respected American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery annual meeting.
Houston Plastic Surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz
An Innovative Leader in Liposuction Techniques for Men
Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Henry Mentz has the notable honor of being the first surgeon in the United States to achieve triple board certification in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology (head and neck surgery). He combines the techniques and skills specific to each of these boards to produce dramatic results that are long-lasting and natural in appearances.
Consistently selected by Houston physicians as one of the top plastic surgeons in the city (H-Texas Magazine “Top Doc” award) , Dr. Mentz is respected worldwide for his introduction of innovative liposuction and body contouring techniques. Dr. Mentz invented Abdominal Etching® in 1992 and is considered a world authority on the specialized liposuction technique. He authored the first paper on Abdominal Etching® and contributed a chapter on the subject for a plastic surgery text. He followed this with the development of Pectoral Etching®, a liposuction method which gives the male chest a more muscular appearance. In 1994, Dr. Mentz developed a puncture incision technique for the gynecomastia procedure in order to eliminate any visible scarring.
In recognition of his body contouring expertise, the prestigious American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) has invited Dr. Mentz to present his liposculpting techniques to plastic surgeons at its annual meetings for two years in a row. Dr. Mentz has presented his techniques to advance body contouring’s safety, recovery, and results through numerous presentations and publications for plastic surgeons. In addition to authoring three book chapters on liposuction, he has written papers on large volume liposuction and the use of blood thinners after liposuction to reduce blood clots. The ASAPS and Aesthetic Surgery Education and Research Foundation jointly awarded Dr. Mentz the “Best Journal Article of 2008″ for his article which presented risk assessment for liposuction based upon a review of 3871 consecutive cases.
The Abdominal Etching® Procedure
Prior to the surgical procedure, Dr. Mentz makes detailed markings of the patient’s flexed abdominal muscles. In the first part of the operation, a thin, hollow tube called a cannula is used to thin the abdominal fat pad in order to unveil the underlying muscles. Then, following the markings he has made, Dr. Mentz outlines the rectus muscles and the linea alba, the line which runs down the center of the abdomen. For body builders, the tranverse inscriptions are also etched, as part of a full Abdominal Etching® procedure. In the modified technique, the tranverse inscriptions are not outlined.
Once the procedure is complete, adhesive foam tape is placed on the abdomen to reduce swelling and provide earlier definition of the etched areas. Most incisions are hidden in the natural body creases and leave very small scars. Abdominal Etching® is a performed in 1-2 hours as an outpatient procedure.
Abdominal Etching® Recovery
Following your procedure, you will be fitted with a compression garment to reduce bruising and swelling. Most bruising and swelling dimininishes within two weeks.
If you live within 20 miles of our facility, Dr. Mentz will offer a visit to your home by a plastic surgery nurse who is trained to assist you with your recovery. The nurse will monitor your recovery, change any dressings, assist you with your medication, and provide Dr. Mentz with an update on your condition.
Most patients can return to work within one week after surgery and resume exercise in three weeks.
To support the comfort and recovery of our patients after surgery, we offer a post-surgical massage that is designed to speed the healing process and help you return to your normal daily activities more quickly. Using a combination of lymphatic and Swedish massage techniques, ACPS’s skilled licensed massage therapists use gentle stretching and range of movement motions throughout this 30-minute massage to provide the following benefits:
• Reduce swelling and bruising
• Improve flexibility
• Stimulate nerve endings to diminish numbness and any skin sensitivity
For the majority of our surgical patients, ACPS surgeons recommend one complimentary 30-minute massage about 10-14 days after surgery. At this appointment, an ACPS massage therapist will recommend the number of massages (if any) that you may need. Our typical charge for a 1/2 hr massage is $60, but if you need more than one massage we do have packages available at a 20% discount.
Scar Therapy System
To help diminish postoperative scars, we have designed a Scar Therapy System, which consists of three products to be applied daily in the weeks following surgery. This package includes two SkinMedica products: TNS Recovery Complex and Tri-Retinol Complex, and an advanced scar treatment gel. As an added benefit, the SkinMedica products can be applied to the face as part of a long-term daily routine to improve the skin’s tone and texture.
At The Added Touch Medical Spa, Dr. Mentz’s skin care specialists will work with you to design a simple daily skin care regimen to help you look your best. Our Obagi and Skin Medica products contain active, pharmaceutical-grade ingredients which work at a cellular level to penetrate and improve your skin. In addition, we offer a number of treatment options which will restore a refreshed appearance to the face. Many of these treatments can be completed in less than an hour and require minimal to no downtime.
Chemical Peels smooth the skin’s appearance by gently resurfacing it through the removal of its damaged outer layers. They are an effective non-surgical cosmetic treatment for those who desire to treat mild to more severe skin conditions including sun-damaged skin, fine lines and wrinkles, skin pigment abnormalities, acne, and acne scarring.
Microdermabrasion gives the skin a fresh and healthy appearance through the gently abrasive mechanical action of crystals, which slough away the dead surface cells that can cause skin to appear dull and aged. The massaging action helps to increase oxygenation in the skin, which, in turn, stimulates the production of collagen to give the skin a more revitalized look. Microdermabrasion diminishes the appearance of skin imperfections such as fine lines, brown spots, and acne scars, and helps to clean out pores, as well.
Like microdermabrasion and chemical peels, lasers resurface the skin to rejuvenate its appearance. However, they achieve this action at a deeper level through the action of short pulses of light that penetrate the skin’s layers to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers. Our lasers are designed to target a wide variety of skin concerns to provide the following benefits:
- fade brown spots such as freckles and age spots
- soften fine lines and wrinkles
- tighten the skin
- diminish surgical scars
- fade rosacea and facial spider veins
- improve acne-prone skin
- fade birthmarks