Leg liposuction: calves and ankles

In most cases, diet and/or exercise are not enough to eradicate this excess localized fat. Worse still, excessive exercise on the legs can build up calf muscles and encourage muscular hypertrophy.

Fat storage is more frequent in women for two reasons.

The gynoid pattern of women means that, genetically, fat cells are more numerous on the lower part of the body, such as the hips, saddlebags, thighs, calves or ankles.

On the other hand, hormonal peaks during pregnancy or menopause will also promote hypertrophy of lipid storage cells.

Liposuction can be performed on many areas of the body.

Depending on the case, liposuction of the lower limbs can be performed on the leg alone (to slim the calves and ankle) or on the thigh or knee.

Dr Christelle Santini always offers a complete solution for a harmonious result, allowing you to regain slender legs and put on the boots of your choice, without worrying about size and without pain.

A pre-operative assessment with Dr. Santini is essential to understand your expectations and needs. His dual medical and aesthetic eye will be attentive to other causes that may be impeding the legs, such as edema (water retention, heavy legs, venous disease...) or muscular calves.

Calf liposuction is not recommended in cases of generalized obesity or excessive weight fluctuations.

The procedure is definitive, provided that you maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent your legs from growing again.

The anesthesiologist will be consulted no later than 48 hours before the operation.

Dr Santini will also focus on key recommendations.

• No aspirin-containing medication should be taken for 10 days prior to surgery.
• Depending on the type of anesthesia, you may be asked to fast (eat and drink nothing) for 6 hours before the operation.
• The patient is admitted on the morning of the operation. Discharge is the same evening in the case of isolated calf liposuction, or the following day in the case of liposuction of several areas.
• Allow between 2 and 7 days' rest after returning home.

Dr. Santini will also prescribe a medical panty or light compression stockings to prevent tissue detachment after the operation: these should be worn for about a month.

Calf liposuction is a cosmetic surgery procedure, and is therefore not covered by health insurance.

The procedure is performed in the operating room, under general anesthesia.

Your surgeon adopts his or her own technique, which he or she adapts to each case to obtain the best results with a tailor-made procedure.

However, there are some basic principles in common.

Microincisions are short (around 3 or 4 millimeters) and discreet, as they are usually hidden in a natural crease.

Fat is suctioned out using liposuction cannulas, creating a regular network of tunnels that respect blood vessels and nerves: deep fat and superficial fat are treated in this way.

The art of successful liposuction of the legs is to perform a harmonious gesture, to maintain a balance on both legs and quality skin.

The quantity of fat extracted is thus adapted to the quality of the underlying skin, which is one of the determining factors in the level of aesthetic appeal: it must be elastic enough to reshape slimmed calves in a natural way.

The procedure ends with the application of a compression bandage or panty.

The duration of leg liposuction depends on the amount of fat to be extracted and the number of sites to be treated.

It lasts about an hour for isolated calf liposuction, 45 minutes for ankle liposuction and 1 to 1.5 hours for the whole leg (calves and ankles).

A compression garment or stocking is prescribed and must be worn day and night for 4 to 6 weeks after calf liposuction, to achieve the best results.

Showering is possible from the day after leg liposuction, but bathing is contraindicated for 3 weeks.

Sports must be suspended for 3 to 6 weeks.

It should be noted that the time required to recover from liposuction is proportional to the amount of fat extracted.

Following liposuction of the limbs, bruising and edema (swelling) may appear in the calves and feet. These disappear within one to three weeks.

Pain associated with liposuction varies, but is generally minimal, thanks to the use of very fine cannulas. Fatigue may be felt for the first few days, especially in the case of major fat extraction.

Operated areas should not be exposed to sunlight or UV rays for at least 3 months.

There is no clear change in appearance during the first 2 to 3 weeks after liposuction, as there is initially some post-operative swelling of the operated tissue (edema).

The result of liposuction of the calves and ankles can therefore be assessed after an average of 6 months.

• Return home the same day.
• 3 to 7 days of professional downtime.
• Final result at 6 months.

What to do before calf and ankle liposuction?

• 1 to 2 consultations with your plastic surgeon, including the taking of medical photographs.
• Delivery and signature of estimate at least 15 days before calf liposuction (medical-legal deadline).
• Anesthesia consultation, blood test.

How is leg liposuction performed?

• General anesthesia.
• 1h to 1h30, depending on the amount of fat suctioned and the number of areas slimmed.
• Return home after calf liposuction usually the same day.

What is the post-operative course of liposuction of the calves and ankles?

• Wear a girdle or compression stockings for 4 to 6 weeks after leg liposuction.
• Anticoagulants for 7 to 10 days.
• Follow-up visit with your plastic surgeon 7 to 10 days after leg liposuction.
• The threads used in limb liposuction are absent or absorbable.
• Stop exercising after leg liposuction for three to six weeks.
• Plan to take 3 to 7 days off work after calf liposuction.
• Final result after 6 months.