Calf and Ankle Liposuction

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, CA

An often overlooked area of the body for liposuction, the calves and ankles, can be a source of real insecurity for those with thicker calves and ankles or for those with poor or little definition. Some patients are teased or mistreated for their appearance, often citing “cankles” as a common source of embarrassment. Calf and ankle liposuction is a minimally invasive procedure that removes unwanted fat around the calves and ankles for a tapered and more shapely appearance.

Liposuction of these areas done in an artistic way can produce thinner legs or provide more definition, where fat has obscured a more muscular shape.

While accumulation in the calves and ankles is largely genetic, some patients may also have lipedema as a component. Liposuction can be used to improve lipedema as well. The calf and ankle fatty deposits are largely unresponsive to diet and exercise, so liposuction becomes a very reasonable treatment alternative.

Dr. Kenneth Hughes is a Harvard-educated, Harvard-trained, board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed thousands of liposuction procedures and has come to be known as one of the top liposuction surgeons in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Liposuction is the aesthetic procedure most commonly performed in the United States and abroad, with patients reporting high satisfaction rates. (1)

However, liposuction procedures are one of the most commonly revised procedures as the procedure is far from an easy surgery from a technical and procedural standpoint. Dr. Hughes is a revision liposuction specialist as well, having transformed poor results from other surgeons into visually pleasing and improved contours.

Before and After Photos

Calf Liposuction Before & After Patient #8288
Calf Liposuction Before & After Patient #8288
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About Calf and Ankle Liposuction

Calf and ankle liposuction is a body contouring procedure that removes excess fat from around your calves and ankles.

The procedure offers:

  • Selective Removal: fat can be removed from the front and back and sides of the calves and the ankles, essentially creating whatever contours are desired.
  • Better Proportions: the calves can be made to look more prominent or muscular, and the calf and ankle separation can be improved to reduce the appearance of “cankles”.
  • Minimal Scarring Dr. Hughes uses small incisions and makes as few incisions as possible to minimize any potential scarring.
  • Longevity of Liposuction Result: The results of your liposuction are permanent if weight is held constant.

Candidates

You may be a suitable candidate for calf and ankle liposuction if you have stubborn fat around your calves and ankles that does not seem to respond to dieting and exercise.

You should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding your results. You should also have reasonable skin elasticity and a stable weight. (2)

Personal or Zoom Consultation

The first step to transforming your calves and ankles is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hughes. During this consultation, Dr. Hughes will explain what calf and ankle liposuction involves, determine your goals, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your physique.

Dr. Hughes will also provide a very thorough list of risks and complications for the procedures to be performed and how to best minimize those risks. The preoperative protocols and postoperative protocols will be reviewed to maximize results.

To start working with Dr. Hughes and receive your tailored treatment plan, please schedule a consultation online. Alternatively, you may call (310) 275-4170 to reach our Los Angeles office.

Preparation

Once you schedule your procedure and get your labwork and medical clearance, if necessary, you will need to begin making preparations. Dr. Hughes will give you a set of preoperative instructions and postoperative instructions to help you prepare for your procedure.

Procedure

Upon your arrival at Dr. Hughes’s fully accredited surgery center, Dr. Hughes will meet with you to confirm the operative plan and to go over the specific areas to be liposuctioned. Dr. Hughes can perform calf and ankle liposuction with local anesthesia, but general anesthesia may be recommended.

Dr. Hughes will carefully place an incision near the targeted fat deposits and inject the area with a fluid that contains epinephrine, which causes vasoconstriction and minimizes bleeding. (2) Dr. Hughes will make a small incision in each area to allow entry of the cannula to remove the fat. Dr. Hughes goes over the area thousands of times to ensure that not only adequate fat is removed, but that also the fat left behind is uniform and symmetric. This surgery requires a keen eye for detail and precise control of the cannula throughout the entire procedure. He will usually close each incision before applying dressings and a compression garment, if warranted.

Recovery

After your liposuction procedure, you will need to take some time away from your professional responsibilities to allow your body to heal. You may return to most sedentary or low-impact activities after a few days to a week, but you will need to continue avoiding strenuous or physically demanding tasks for at least 6 weeks. In addition, the calves and ankles should be elevated as much as possible to reduce swelling, which is much more common and extensive than in other areas.

Results

The results of your calf and ankle liposuction can be obscured by swelling for the first 6 to 9 months, though some improvement is usually realized from the beginning.

These areas that are lower on your body and closer to your feet take longer to resolve, and patience will be essential.

Liposuction of Other Areas

Liposuction is an incredibly versatile procedure and can be performed on many different areas of the body. Some of the other liposuction procedures Dr. Hughes offers include:

  • Chin Liposuction: Chin liposuction can reduce the fat of the double chin and can be combined with contouring of the jawline and neck.
  • Stomach Liposuction: Abdominal liposuction can make the abdomen appear flatter and more toned.
  • Arm Liposuction: For patients with stubborn arm fat, arm liposuction can slim the arms for those sleeveless clothing items.
  • Thigh Liposuction: For patients with fatty deposits on the inner, outer, and posterior thighs to improve the thigh gap, get rid of the saddle bags, and remove the banana rolls.

We encourage you to read Dr. Hughes’ blog for more information about the other procedures he may integrate into your treatment plan.

Cost of Calf and Ankle Liposuction in Los Angeles

The cost of your calf and ankle liposuction procedure can vary depending on several aspects of the procedure, including the size of the treatment area and the amount of fat that Dr. Hughes removes. Once he has examined you to discuss the details of your procedure, he will give you a cost estimate. Dr. Hughes additionally offers financing for those who qualify.

FAQ

How will I know if I am a good candidate for calf and ankle liposuction?

During your personal consultation, Dr. Hughes will assess your medical history, personal concerns, and aesthetic goals to determine whether or not calf and ankle liposuction is appropriate for you to achieve your goals. Some patients may have large calves simply due to large gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and liposuction would do nothing to reduce this muscle bulk.

How long does it take Dr. Hughes to perform calf and ankle liposuction?

Calf and ankle liposuction typically takes about 2 hours to complete.

How long will the results of my calf and ankle liposuction last?

The results of calf and ankle liposuction are permanent, as the number of fat cells in these areas is reduced by the procedure.

Does calf and ankle liposuction leave significant scarring?

Dr. Hughes minimizes scarring by using small incisions of 3 to 4 mm, only 2 incisions per area to liposuction the circumferential calf and ankle. In addition, the incisions are placed in less conspicuous areas.

Can Dr. Hughes perform liposuction on other areas of my body in conjunction with my calves and ankles?

Yes, and Dr. Hughes frequently performs liposuction of multiple areas at once. Other areas for liposuction may include the abdomen, sides, lower back, bra rolls, armpits, thighs, buttocks, chest, chin, and face.

References

  1. Papadopulos NA, Kolassa MJ, Henrich G, et al. Quality of life following aesthetic liposuction: A prospective outcome study. Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery. 2019;72(8):1363-1372. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2019.04.008
  2. Bartow MJ, Raggio BS. Liposuction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563135/