Pectoral Etching

Dr. Henry Mentz, a triple board-certified plastic surgeon in Houston invented the Pectoral Etching technique to maximize the athletic, masculine appearance of the male chest.

In a Pectoral Etching procedure, Dr. Mentz uses a detailed liposuction technique to outline the pectoralis muscle and axilla to give the chest a more muscular appearance. Dr. Mentz developed a unique puncture incision technique which leaves a generally undetectable scar.

With his innovative liposculpting technique, Pectoral Etching and Abdominal Etching, Dr. Mentz has become an international authority on detailed liposuction techniques. Pec Etch is great for men who are not seeing their desired results after regular chest strength training and a healthy diet.

This Dr and staff are awesome. The offices and care are all first class.

M.N.

Surgical Technique

In a Pectoral Etching procedure, Dr. Mentz uses a small, specialized cannula to remove excess fat from the chest area through liposuction. If excess glandular tissue is also present, Dr. Mentz removes this using an innovative puncture incision technique, which generally leaves undetectable scars. Fat is then removed from the edges of the pectoralis muscles and axilla in order to create more visible definition of the muscular contours. The surgery can typically be completed in 1-2 hours as an outpatient procedure.

Recovery

Following your procedure, you will be fitted with a compression garment to reduce bruising and swelling. Most bruising and swelling diminishes within two weeks. A plastic surgery nurse can be arranged to visit patients within 20 miles of our office to 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 in 3-4 days and resume exercise in 2-3 weeks or when Dr. Mentz advises.

Plan Your Procedure

Average Cost: $6,000 - $7,000
Recovery Time: 4-6 Weeks
Average Procedure Time: 1 Hours
Procedure Recovery Location: Outpatient

Multiple procedures will reduce the costs for anesthesia and facility time. Please be aware that the prices listed above are for an estimate of fees only and that you will need a consultation to confirm any pricing.

Price List

FAQ

Ab and Pec Etching?

Because many men who are interested in Pectoral Etching also have excessive breast development and softness in the abdominal area, Dr. Mentz frequently combines Pectoral Etching with a gynecomastia procedure to restore a more masculine chest contour and Abdominal Etching to give the abdomen a more athletic appearance. Abdominal Etching is similar to Pectoral Etching in that the underlying muscles of the abdomen are outlined to reveal the contours of the muscles that create the look of “washboard abs.”

Gynecomastia?

Another type of breast enhancement for men in Houston is gynecomastia removal. Gynecomastia is a condition of excess breast tissue in males. This is the treatment of the enlarged male breast that requires a two-step process to remove hardened breast tissue and redistribute fat for a smooth contour. Dr. Mentz makes a small puncture incision around the areola (nipple) and endoscopically cut the breast tissue into small strips so it can then be suctioned out with a thin cannula. Dr. Mentz then loosens the fat cells surrounding the breast tissue and redistributes the fat so the patient is left with a smooth surface where the knot of breast tissue previously existed.

Visible Scarring?

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.