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Ankle and Calf Liposuction - My Experience - Washington, DC

ORIGINAL POST

Hi - I used these boards so much when I was...

J
jbeanie
WORTH IT$5,800

Hi - I used these boards so much when I was planning I think I need to give back. I was born with cankles and large calves. My weight has fluctuated +/- 30 lbs and while my calves were a tad slimmer at lower weights, I always had cankles. I think I must hold some water weight as well because they are always puffy in the front.

13 months ago I got ankle and calf lipo from a reputable surgeon in my area. I think it is important to have realistic expectations. He definitely changed the shape of my legs - there is more definition instead of the straight up/down cankle look - but my ankles are still large. It is bone, not much you can do about that. That being said, I think it was worth it - to me. I've started wearing skirts and while I will never have fabulous legs, I am not deathly ashamed of them either. (it was a bit difficult when people at work were like "Wow I've never seen you in a dress". Ugh.

There is significant downtime, don't let anyone tell you any differently. Probably more than with lipo of other areas because of gravity. I was in bed for about a week. You definitely need someone to take care of you. Then it was 8 weeks before I could do any exercise - though I could walk fine. No heels for probably 3 months. The swelling gradually subsided over a period of 9 months - I would definitely recommend this as an early fall procedure. I still get a bit of swelling 13 months later if I wear high heels all day. And no more 4 inch heels for me - ever.

The pain was not bad at all, really more uncomfortable than painful. My doctor gave me hydrocodone. Definitely get some of the compression pants. I read tons of stuff about how long to wear compression pants. Some articles said it was bad for you some said leave them on as long as possible. I think it is best to do what your doctor recommends and just use your best judgement. I am pretty happy. I would say my cankles are more on the "canklette" side now. Not nearly as bad as they were.

Replies (5)

K
March 12, 2012

Hi there, thanks so much for sharing your journey with us. Sounds like your procedure was a success!

A
November 23, 2012
Hi J! Please help me - I'm getting my ankle/knee lipo next week. My doctor is a renowned NY practitioner and assures me that I will be mostly healed after 2 weeks and that even after the first week any swelling will be minimal/not exceed my original size. I am fit/slender so there isn't an excessive amount of fat to remove. Please let me know how your legs were doing 1 and 2 weeks post-op, timing is very important for me right now. Thank you! - E
J
November 23, 2012
Hi, I don't know that my experience will be helpful to you. I definitely think that I heal more slowly than the average person. 1-2 weeks post op I was definitely still swollen, probably for about six weeks. It wasn't too horrible looking, but it definitely worsened the longer I was on my feet. I personally was not ready to bare my ankles for about 2-3 months so if it were me and I had something important coming up where my legs would show in 1-2 weeks, I would not do it. Unless you are a quick healer, I wouldn't underestimate the time it takes to FEEL better, not just look better. I don't think the amount taken out is as significant as just the general trauma of surgery.
A
November 30, 2012
Thank you very much for your response. I postponed the operation until after my trip, so glad I did.
A
April 14, 2013
Hello iam 9 days post calves lipo , i cant walk normally only on my toes , all numb still , if i hit my leg by mistake i feel nothing ...i can only walk in heels ...i cant walk in flats itsnot painful as much uncomfortable ....i was shocked when i saw that jbeanie shouldn't walk in heels , my heels are kind of 8-14 cm i found my comfort in them , iam very fast healer but this is really slow to me , i remember going to gym post a week of breast lifting and upper body lipo iam not spoiled ...but this is no joke my dear if u have job or kids or responsibilities u need minmim 3 weeks to make sure ur gona be okay by then ...nway i will keep u updated by the end of the week ...gdluck
A
April 14, 2013
Oh i feel really silly that was in nov can u tell me please did u heal by 2 weeks ??
S
March 22, 2013
Hi, would you be willing to share the name of your surgeon? Thanks!
M
April 4, 2013
Thanks J again much appreciated your reveiw! Do you mind sharing your weight, circumference of your calf and ankle by chance?
S
May 6, 2013
jbeanie & Amoon, thank you so much for sharing your experience. Would you share who was your surgeon? Would you recommend your surgeon? Thank you in advance!