Can my bad cankles (elephant feet) be fixed? (Photos)

Question

Super conscious about my feet/ankles. Have no definition, and a lot of fat around the ankle. Also need to reduce the circumstance of the ankle to create a more womanly shape. Can this be done?

Michelle Copeland, MD, DMD · Answer

Thanks for sharing your photos! Although it is difficult to say without an in person examination, liposculpture as an outpatient procedure under I.V. sedation can reduce the bulge that some people have in their ankles and restore a more shapely leg. Unlike other areas of the body the ankles, calves, and knees require a certain delicacy which is why I use several innovative forms of liposuction, including SmartLipo, to contour and resculpture the area while providing the most beautiful results with minimal scarring. SmartLipo, used in combination with other forms of liposuction or alone, is a procedure that uses laser light to liquefy fat and tighten the surrounding skin. It’s thought to involve less downtime and side-effects than traditional liposuction and is particularly good for small areas of fat deposits like the ankles. New technology that's gentler and faster than ever before not only allows the removal of fat, but also resculpts the legs. When looking for a surgeon for something very specific, such as liposuction of the calves and ankles, it is important to find a doctor who routinely performs the procedure and who can show you before and after pictures of patients that they have operated on. These images will not only give you a sense of the surgeon’s skill, but will help you to better visualize the procedure for yourself. I suggest making an appointment with an experienced board certified plastic surgeon who can explain in detail to you what your options are and let you know what the costs are.

Libby Copeland-Halperin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photos. It is difficult to say from your photos and without examining you. Many women are bothered by the appearance of their calf/ankle area and have what is sometimes referred to as “cankles.” Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the size of your calves/ankles with liposuction. I use a combination of liposuction techniques, including SmartLipo or laser liposuction, power-assisted liposuction, and regular liposuction using very fine cannulas inserted through small incisions to sculpt and shape the lower leg and ankle. I perform this surgery in our fully-accredited operating room under IV sedation as an outpatient procedure. While there is some discomfort with any surgery, patients are able to be walking right away. You will need to wear a compression garment after surgery to help with bruising and swelling and I also include a special light touch lymphatic massage after surgery to help with healing and recovery. I recommend you meet with a fully-trained plastic surgeon who is familiar with performing lower leg liposuction/liposculpture to discuss your options.

John A. Perrotti, MD · Answer

Liposuction is the gold standard for treatment of large calves and ankles and generally provides excellent results.
While this is not the most common areas for liposuction, improvement of the calves and ankles can be dramatic after liposuction in carefully selected patients, and in experienced hands. Patients that have had knees, calves and ankles are some of my happiest.
Based on your photos you appear to be a good candidate  for liposuction which would also be determined upon exam. Ankle (and Calf) liposuction is not the most common liposuction done, such as that of the abdomen and/or waist area, and many plastic surgeons do not have the training and experience and they do not perform this procedure. But if a plastic surgeon such as myself, who does have the appropriate training and experience, does the procedure, ankle and calf liposuction can have very dramatic results in properly selected patients. 
It is most important to find a place and a surgeon with the training and experience to help you get the results that you desire. One of my patients even started a blog, The Calf Lady, all about her calf liposuction experience.

Can my bad cankles (elephant feet) be fixed? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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