Why is the calf/ankle a touchy place to get liposuction?

Question

I am scheduled for liposuction on basically both entire legs (inner outer thighs, knees and calf's) however when I initially inquired about my calf's my surgeon was very apprehensive to touch that area. I do have a lot of fat in that area so he confirmed that was not a problem. Just that it's not the safest area to touch. As I have been researching this topic lately it seems as most surgeons if not all feel the same way. Should I not be going through with this?

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

That is very sensitive area for liposuction that requires significant expertise and good patient selection. You may expect prolonged swelling but, in good hands, visible improvement. Good luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

sounds like your physician doesn't do a lot of leg or calf liposuction which means NO you should not go through it with him/her.  calf/ankles and legs requires an EXPERT someone that does this often, and if you have significant leg/calf fat you should be evaluated for Lipedema. I suggest going to an expert, in the right hands calf life liposuction can be life changing.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Joel Patrick Maier, MD · Answer

Very touchy area to treat. Many critical structures travel through the narrow ankle (lymphatic, blood vessels and nerves) and liposuction can create a circumferential scar around the ankle and along with lymphatic damage one can have chronic pain and swelling. Needless to say, unless your plastic surgeon has done a lot of ankle lipo with no problems, it would behoove you to hold off. Thanks for sharing.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Ankle and calf liposuction candidates are best determined with a physical exam as the difference between an adequate and suboptimal candidate can be subtle. If I feel that it will not make a nice difference, I will not offer the procedure. As an ABPS certified PS, I perform this surgery frequently to produce a dramatic difference in the shape and contours of the calves and ankles.

Richard Wellington Swift, MD · Answer

Thank you for  posting  your  interesting question.  Liposuction  of the calves and ankles is a technically challenging procedure because it requires circumferential liposuction of the lower extremities to achieve the best results and it is not routinely performed by most plastic surgeons. However, natural and beautiful results can be achieved. Care must be taken to smoothly transition the inner and outer calves and ankles. This is done with methodical pre operative markings and experience. I recommend  that  you  have  a  consultation  with  a  Board  Certified  Plastic  Surgeon who is experienced with liposuction of the calves and ankles. At the time of the consultation you can discuss your goals,have all of your questions answered and review the surgeon's before and after calf and ankle liposuction photos. Best wishes, Richard Wellington Swift, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Calf and ankle liposuction is one of the more difficult areas to both treat and obtain beautiful outcomes.  You should definitely only go to a surgeon who is familiar and comfortable with doing them.  I do not suction both the upper medial and lateral thighs WITH the calves and ankles as the post op swelling of the ankles and feet remain for many months (sometimes 6 months!).  Separating the two even by a month alleviates the issues.  If you go forward with the procedure, this will reduce the swelling.
Best of luck.
Dr T

Mark T. Boschert, MD · Answer

Liposuction of ankles does require a confident and experienced surgeon. I would suggest seeing board certified plastic surgeons who have good experience with liposuction and I’m sure that you can find some that are confident enough to give you a realistic expectation and a very good outcome. There are many people who claim to be cosmetic surgeons we have very little training in surgery. Be careful, do your homework and I am sure you can find someone who can do your ankle liposuction. Best of luck! Dr. Boschert

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

It is possible to liposuction the calf area; however, you are encouraged to stay away from liposuction of the ankles. The Gold Standard for superior liposuction results requires use of the advanced technology of ultrasound assisted VASER liposuction. As an official trainer of VASER liposuction, I perform full body liposuction cases every week. VASER liposuction has been the only modality that has consistently resulted in outstanding liposuction outcomes. VASER liposuction ensures a smooth contour regardless of degree of excess fat by virtue of being able to remove any and all remaining fat comprehensively and uniformly. If skin redundancy is observed, Renuvion technology can be simultaneously applied to tighten your skin to optimize your overall contour outcome. A Skype or FaceTime consultation with a VASER specialist will help you get an accurate recommendation and pricing.

Respectfully,
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Respectfully, 
Arian Mowlavi MD, FACS
Realself 100 Hall of Fame Inductee

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

Liposuction of the calves and ankles is technically difficult and has a prolonged and potentially challenging recovery for the patient.

The food gets in the way of contouring around the ankle. It’s hard to contour nicely around the Achilles tendon.

The fat seems to at first go away slowly while doing Liposuction then all of a sudden it seems to go away very rapidly leaving people with potential indentations Or contour irregularities.

Because it’s so far Below the heart Venus drainage and pressure in the tissues builds up and swelling can be fairly intense unless the patient does intermittent leg elevations every few hours during the first few months during recovery.

Some patients may not be able to wear certain shoes or boots for many months after the procedure.

Because of gravity issues recovery and healing takes much longer. Patients I’ve asked describe it as what sounds like three months longer than typical Liposuction.

It’s easy to end up with contour irregularities especially if working with plastic surgeons who have limited experience.

Confirm your plastic surgeon has ample experience by being able to show you lots of before and after pictures of previous calf and ankle liposuction.

Expect and anticipate an extended healing process.

Be prepared to do leg elevations throughout the day for many months.

For patients who have severe lipodystrophy of this area patient satisfaction from liposuctio can be very high. For those who have only modest excess fat it’s better to not treat these areas.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Why is the calf/ankle a touchy place to get liposuction?

Answers (9)

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