Is 300cc a Lot of Fat to Be Removed from Each Calf? When Will I See Final Results?

I had circumferential liposuction of the calves and ankles six days ago. My doctor removed about 300 cc from each calf/ankle. He told me that my calf muscles were big but that I had about 1-2 inches of pinchable fat at the tops and about 1 inch at the ankle. Right now with the swelling they look about the same as they did before. I know that the swelling will last up to 6 months but would it be realistic to expect the circumference to go down an inch or so at least after the swelling goes down?

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calves swelling 1 week post-op final result

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by sgrafton

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Liposuction of Legs?

Thank you for your question. 300 mL is a reasonable amount of adipose tissue removed from each calf. Swelling is part of the healing process. I ask my liposuction patients to wear a compression garment for 4 weeks post op surgery to help with the swelling. The swelling can take months to subside and even longer for skin to “redrape". At that point you will see the final results. Best Wishes.

Liposuction of calves and ankles

The 300 cc's removed was that fat and fluid or just fat. Either way it will take several months for you to see the final result and for the swelling to subside. It is hard to predict how small the calves and ankles will get.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

After liposuction of the calves and ankles, wear custom fitted compression stockings.

Hi. 1) You normally see visible improvement six days after liposuction of the ankles and calves. So you must have unusual swelling, which made me think that perhaps you are not wearing custom made compression stockings. If you are not, it is not too late to start now. Talk to your doctor. You should also keep your feet elevated as much as possible. 2) On the "average patient", more than 300 cc's are removed from each leg, but that... more

Liposuction of the Ankles and Calves

It is normal to have a significant amount of swelling of the calves and ankles following liposuction of the lower extremities. As you said, it will take six months, and maybe longer, for all of the swelling of your ankles to resolve following surgery. In my practice, I have found the most important thing to speed recovery and ensure optimal results is to wear lower extremity compression garments (30mm Hg or greater in pressure) at all times (except while bathing) for three to six... more