Is it possible to perform Smart Lipo on ankles/calves/knees?

Question

I know many doctors will not perform Smart Lipo on this area, but I finally found a doctor in my area that will and I'm wondering if I will get the results I'm looking for. I am in generally good shape, but I hold fat in my lower legs (thanks to genetics!). I am more interested in sculpting my legs than making them smaller. Is this possible?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

we do a significant amount of calf/ankle/knee liposuction but VASER + bodytite or jplasma is much better than smart lipo. confirm you do not have lipedema.

my whole practice is doing lipoabdominoplasty, or at least liposuction with internal heating (which is not the gold standard for skin tightening with body contouring).

the smaller you are before liposuction the more contouring you can get from the procedure. most of my liposuction patients get pre and post surgical optimization with hormonal therapy (see link to help boost their weight loss before surgery and help them heal after).

You need a formal evaluation by an expert in body shaping and contouring to determine what is best.  Traditional liposuction awake and smart liposuction are old methods and do very poorly for tightening skin or significant skin tightening or contouring.  Small problem areas can be improved slightly by these methods.  The best in body contouring not only removes fat with energy devices like VASER ultrasound but also internally heat the skin with radio-frequency devices such as J PLASMA/RENUVION, InMode BodyTite, ThermiRF to heat the under surface of the skin and tighten it at the same time as fat removal. These combinations are called 4D HIDEF VASER contouring and can only be done by a well . trained body contouring specialist. At the same time fat should be harvested, PRP and stem cells added and injected into muscles or indentations/cellulite to get body shaping and contouring.  This is known as a Brazilian butt lift when you inject the fat to the buttock for contouring and lifting, but fat can also be used in areas such as the chest/breast, arms/shoulders, calves and face.  Cellulite should also be treated with cellfina, sculptra, subcision and/or fillers such as bellafill, renuva synthetic fat, or sculptra.  If skin is very loose before surgery then it will need to be removed such as lower abdominal skin (tummy tuck/abdominoplasty), breast skin (breast lift), arm skin (brachioplasty).  Overall you need a full assessment, but simple liposuction alone will not tighten skin and needs a combination of various methods -- fat removal, skin tightening, defining, fat grafting, skin removal -- to get the best in body contouring and body sculpting.  Dr. Emer.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear kaydub5,
it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. Generally speaking, ankles and calves are difficult area for liposuction. If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Victoria Falcone, DO · Answer

Smartlipo can be used in any region of the body but there are techniques that are better suited for certain areas. I have been using Smartlipo since 2007 and frequently use the technology on the knees, inner and outer thighs to help with cellulite and skin tightening. There is a technique called Cellulaze which is use of the Smartlipo laser with a different laser fiber to treat cellulite so obviously Smartlipo can be used on the legs. 
When it comes to calves and ankles, my preferred technique is Body Jet Liposuction also known as water assisted liposuction. In fact, I prefer Water assisted liposuction, Aquashape by Body Jet, for most leg areas as it is very gentle to the connective tissues and more likely to produce a smooth contour. I often sculpt the area with WAL and then use Smartlipo for skin tightening in areas where there is cellulite present in the overlying skin. The calves and ankles rarely have cellulite and are treated effectively with WAL. 
If you disproportionately store fat in your legs, you may have a condition called Lipedema. WAL is the technique of choice when treating Lipedema. I do not use Smartlipo when treating Lipedema patients. 
As with any procedure, one technology is not best for all. If Smartlipo is the only technology your surgeon offers, you have to consider the options they are presenting. A surgeon who has never performed Smartlipo may not know what can and cannot be done. For your areas of concern, I highly suggest you research WAL. I am not saying Smarltipo cannot be performed in the lower leg areas. I am only suggesting that perhaps there is a more ideal technology.

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

If you found a plastic surgeon to do this procedure for you then you should’ve already had a consultation. If not then you should schedule a consultation.

During the consultation the plastic surgeon should show you before and after pictures of the same procedure done on previous patients so you should know what results look like in the hands of this provider.

To get confirmation of average results or how many of these procedures this provider has performed you should ask them to show all of their before and after pictures or at least as many as possible.

The reason many plastic surgeons are reluctant to do liposuction in this area is that it is technically very difficult and patients are prone to contour irregularities if it isn’t done with skill and experience.

The patients also have prolong swelling at a much longer and more difficult recovery then liposuction of other areas.

Results of liposuction around the knee are very limited and typically only respond in the area of the inner knee.

You didn’t post pictures of yourself and you didn’t post pictures of what you hope to look like so there’s no way we can even come close to answering the question if you’ll get the results you want.

Ask yourself why plastic surgeons are not willing to do the procedure?

My practice has been devoted exclusively to Liposuction and fat transfer procedures for the last decade. I’ve performed over 7000 Liposuction procedures. When it comes to calves and ankles I can count the number of times I’ve done this on the fingers of both hands.

I think the date I’ve done a Calfs ankles six times in my career.

That makes it about one per thousand.

I performed all various types of Liposuction. My personal first-hand experience taught me that laser assisted Liposuction or smart Liposuction adds zero advantage over any other form of Liposuction. Always choose the surgeon not the equipment.

It’s hard to find somebody who has a long-standing track record of this procedure.

The fact that someone’s willing to do it doesn’t necessarily mean you should be the one to have the procedure by that provider.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

Randy Dean, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Liposuction of these areas is performed by experienced surgeons with total knowledge of the underlying anatomy. Small cannulas are utilized. Many plastic surgeons will not perform liposuction of these areas due to the delicacy of the tissues and the relatively small amount of fat involved, making overcorrection (with resulting dimpling) a distinct possibility. 
Without photos, I cannot determine if you are a suitable candidate.
Best wishes...

Is it possible to perform Smart Lipo on ankles/calves/knees?

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Is it possible to perform Smart Lipo on ankles/calves/knees?

Answers (6)

Answer: Getting the results you want

Answer: Getting the results you want

Answer: Liposuction of ankles, calves, and knees

Answer: Liposuction of ankles, calves, and knees

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.