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Calf Reduction: Ablation + Liposuction for Huge Calves

UPDATED FROM ughcy
3 months post

Two Months Post Surgery

ughcy
$16,000
I can't say I'm overly enthused about my results but I can't say there were none.
Overall reduction to left calf (44 cm to 41 cm) and right calf (43 cm to 40.5 cm).
Mostly this is from the liposuction. I am told by the surgeon if I can achieve 37 cm from the calf muscle continuing to shrink by 6 months post it would be considered a home run. The swelling has eased but I don't see as much results from the nerve ablation to reduce the muscle aspect. Still have very obvious incision scars and healing from a blister that took 2 months to scab. I can fit my over-the-knee boots better but the recovery has been VERY long. I would not recommend it if you don't have enough time to recover properly. I took one week bed-rest and did not resume light gym activities until almost 60 days post-surgery which caused me to gain about 5 lbs overall. I started driving 45 days after surgery. Even with the reduced calves I will have issues wearing skirts in the Spring and Summer given the scars that have not healed completely. In addition to surgery costs, I have spent $2000USD on manual lymphatic drainage as the swelling was very intense for the last 2 months.

Replies (5)

January 27, 2018
I had the radio freq nerve ablation in july 2017, now its been 6month. I notice a little changes but not quite the way i expect. maybe i should have done a little lipo too...but i was told my legs were mostly muscle. please continue updating your progress good luck!
January 27, 2018
Hi lesa! Now that you are 6 months post-op, did you return to normal activities? Are you able to run, jump normally (but with less power or speed)? I am also looking for RF nerve ablation, but I am afraid of long term consequences.. thanks for the info!
January 28, 2018
I have not start to run or try to jump yet, but i been doing power walking on my treadmill an incline. my calves feel fine...I need to update my doctor on my 6month post op and see what he think. the best part about having RF is i don't feel the pain of the leg cramp.
January 29, 2018
Would you do it again Lesa? Do you have any regrets? I am still hesitant to go through RF nerve ablation, I am afraid of having trouble doing normal activities after the surgery... but I really need to do something with my calves! Did you tried Botox first?
January 29, 2018
I was thinking of doing botox first but, I wanted a more permanent result. RF recovering wasn't so bad... the first and second days you would have trouble walking. but third i was up and walking going to the store with my sister. my legs swell up from times for about a month or so, but you always have to massage it. my husband notice the different in my calves he said it look perfect and all I need to do is just start exercising to tone up my legs. I really don't have regrets of the doing the RF procedure. I only wish that i have the doctor close by to where i live. I hope this help you on making a choice..feel free to msg me if you have any other question.
February 5, 2018
I also tried botox but it didn't really work except for about 3 months of minor reduction. How long did it take to see results from RF?
June 1, 2018
I’m am 2 months post Botox, 100 unit each calf, and I haven’t seen any changes.... my next step is RF.
How are you doing, any improvement?
June 2, 2018
My legs after Rf, still see reduction about a half inch slimmer. The best part is I don’t get leg cramp. I wish I would also do Lipo with Rf doing that time. July will be 1yr. My legs feels normal after a full 6months.
February 2, 2018
Hi who was your doctor?
February 5, 2018
Perry Liu MD
February 6, 2018
for me 3 months now I'm at a little over 6 months not a huge different
February 6, 2018
for me having the RF i would say 3 months but the swelling comes and goes. you wont really see the actual result until 6 months. the muscle start to shrink and legs look more smooth then bulky
March 7, 2021
Have your calves slimmed down any more?
February 11, 2018
I'm so sorry to hear you didn't have the desires results but I'm glad you had some. I greatly thank you for your honest post. I have been considering this procedure for sometime now. My body is a size 4-6 but my calves measure 41cm and my ankle is large as well. So I have tree stump legs. The best option is probably to save the money and proceed with liposuction only. Your calves do appear muscular though so also consider the activities you do. I think theyre beautiful with the nice delicate ankle you have! Hope as time passes they reduce even more so you can get the results you were hoping for :)
UPDATED FROM ughcy
8 days post

Day 8: Discomfort

ughcy
Finally got home and trying to resume life back-to-normal. You definitely need to take at least a week off. I tried to have one meeting / luncheon and after I got home my legs were swollen to to twice the size. When I woke up initially in the morning with a full 8.5 hours of sleep with elevated legs, they were doing much better and less swollen / softer to touch. There is severe bruising all over the calves, ankles, and even sides of the feet. Blue and dark purple. Very scary looking. I can do simple household tasks but nothing strenuous and even showering takes a good 60-80 minutes. I really hope this is all worth it. I will post photos when the bruising is reduced.

Replies (4)

January 4, 2018
are you satisfy with the outcome??
January 16, 2018
See my latest post!
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January 12, 2018
Who did you go to? Pics please as im seriously considering it. Thanks.
January 16, 2018
See my latest post!
January 12, 2018
After how many days were you able to walk normally?
January 16, 2018
Define"walk normally". I didn't drive until 1 month post-surgery.
January 27, 2018
Sorry to hear that! I hope you are better now, 3 months post-op! We’re you unable to drive because of the pain? The swelling? Or you wasn’t able to flex your ankle because of the RF?
August 7, 2018
Why weren’t you able to drive? Who was your doctor? How do you feel about the results now?
UPDATED FROM ughcy
4 days post

Day 5: Pain

ughcy
I woke up every hour starting at 3:00AM with my ankle and calves throbbing with pain. Took my painkillers as required but it took a while to kick in. Went to my first lymphatic drainage session which was pretty uncomfortable but was able to reduce my swelling calves and ankles by approx.10%.
Still too swollen to put on any compression garments on my legs.
Really hoping the swelling / bruising will be reduced soon so I can get back to work.
I can walk very gingerly with wedged shoes similar to a penguin but definitely nowhere close to being able function normally yet.

Replies (1)

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September 12, 2025
Who was your surgeon?