What Are Effective Procedures That Make the Calves Slimmer/smaller? (photo)

Question

I am desperate to find an effective treatment to make the calves smaller. I have very disproportionate calves while every other parts of the body is thin. If I dont use any strength in my legs, the calves are rather squishy, soft and are smaller. If you pinch the calves at the back, they're about 1" thick. Not sure if they're flesh/fats. However, if I walk or run, etc, the muscles would tighten up/ look big. I feel very uncomfortable and need massage. Would Zeltiq/zerona or anything help? Thx

Edwin Kwon, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for posting your pictures.  There are effective surgical techniques for reducing the calf size. Excessive calf bulk can be due to excess fat in the calves, hypertrophic muscle, or both.  In most instances however, the muscle usually contributes to large calves.  
Radiofrequency ablation of the nerves to the gastrocnemius muscle is a very effective technique in reducing muscle size.  It works similarly in theory to botox injections to the calves but provides a permanent reduction in the muscle bulk.  Our technique requires no scar, minimal downtime, and has been very effective at calf muscle reduction.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

Liposculpting the calves and ankles do great with the tiny micro canulas under local tumescent anesthesia and can be shaped and reduced very easily in most cases for roughly $4-5,000 on special and back to work in 2 days. Sincerely,
	David Hansen,MD

Kevin Tehrani, MD, FACS · Answer

Looking at your pictures, it's unclear as to whether your issue is primarily one of adipose tissue(fat) or muscle. Liposuction, especially laser liposuction is very helpful in this area. If the issue is muscular, Botox injections can decrease the bulkiness of the muscle. in selected patients, we have treated the calves with cool sculpting with modest improvement.

Shlomo Widder, MD · Answer

In order to give you the appropriate answer to your question, you have to be examined by a board certified plastic surgeon. A pinch test will determine the thickness of your skin. If the skin is thick, 1 inch as you say, you can be helped. If the skin is thin, not much can be done, because, no reasonable surgeon will reduce the muscle size. As far as the method of reducing the fat in your calf, a conventional liposuction with thin canula is very effective.

	                  Good luck,

	                                             Dr Widder

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Liposuction is a great method for shrinking the calfs.  However, you would need an in person consolation to evaluate whether the bulk is due to fat or your muscle.  If liposuction is deemed to be an option, it is a quick (less than 1 hour) procedure with minimal recovery.

	 

	Good luck.

What Are Effective Procedures That Make the Calves Slimmer/smaller? (photo)

Answers (9)