Let’s See Those Six-Pack Abs

When it comes to a beach body or the appearance of being fit, one of the first things we notice is the mid-section. Six-pack abs appear to be a clear sign of optimal fitness, even though achieving the coveted appearance can be almost impossible unless you’re willing to drastically change your lifestyle.

By Beverly Brooks
ThePlasticSurgeryChannel.com

How to Get Six Pack Abs

Athletes and physical fitness experts are typically the first to admit the journey to six pack abs can be long and tortuous, unless you are genetically predisposed to having a lean physique. Six-pack abs can be achieved only through extreme dieting and intense, consistent exercise. If those fail, the last option is surgery to get extra fat off of the the abdominal muscles. Finally, when you achieve the desired abdominal definition you must maintain a certain lifestyle to sustain the abs.

Abdominal Surgery

When diet and exercise alone don’t work, abdominal etching can help the appearance of a lean stomach. With surgery though, there are several risks involved. A special instrument is used to contour and shape the abdominal fat pad to provide patients with a flatter stomach. The procedure selectively removes a small amount of fat around the patient’s natural muscular contours and sculpts the abdomen to create a more athletic contour.

The procedure is suitable for patients who are already in good physical shape and have up to two centimeters of “pinchable” belly fat. Traditional liposuction is recommended for patients with larger accumulations of abdominal fat.

Is it a Fad?

Social media is full of six pack ab photos. Pop star Justin Bieber is one example of a celebrity that sports a buff body and six pack abs. However, some surgeons caution, not everyone will be a good candidate for the latest trend.

“All that sculpting and rearranging tissue will change over time because the body keeps changing,” says Dr.Caroline Glicksman, a board certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey. “Aggressive liposuction can be dangerous, and so you should seek out  a board certified plastic surgeon who has a lot of experience in this procedure.”

Best Option

It’s always best to seek the advice of your physician prior to any weight loss program. This will help you set realistic goals and find out if you’re a candidate for surgery such as abdominal etching. A consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon is a good starting point if you are considering surgery to carve out those abs.