For those people who’ve tried unsuccessfully for years to achieve six-pack abs with diet and exercise, the option of abdominal etching may be ideal .

Abdominal etching works best for people who are less than 30 percent over their ideal body weight, with healthy muscle and skin tone. After the procedure, a compression garment will be applied  to your midsection to ensure healing. You’ll need to keep the compression garment on until your doctor gives you the go-ahead to remove it, typically 4 to 6 weeks.