Your Questions
Your Questions
Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m interested in knowing more about the liposuction for calves and ankles. I’m 24 years old and am 5’ tall and weigh 140 lbs.. Many surgeons where I live have refused to perform liposuction in that area because of the risk of prolonged edema. I was wondering how much you would charge for liposuction of the entire leg( thighs, calves and ankles). Also, can I expect the whole leg to be done in one session? Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.
A: What you referring is, as you have mentioned, total leg liposuction or near circumferential extremity liposuction. Your surgeons are correct in my opinion that performing liposuction on the whole leg will result in prolonged edema. And it is even possible that some of the edema may even be permanent. (rare risk) It is much more prudent to think of trying to thin the whole legs in two stages, upper (thighs) and lower liposuction. (knees to ankles) The lower legs should be done first, followed six months later by the upper leg section. This is the safest approach to prevent prolonged lower leg edema and also provides an opportunity to touch up any uneven or under corrected areas on the lower leg.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Q: Dr. Eppley, I hope you can help me. I am almost 30 and I have had ‘fat’ legs since my early teens. My grandma and mother have the same. When I lose weight my legs still stay fat; I go to the gym regularly and this has gone some way to improve muscle tone but not to achieve any fat loss from my ankles or calves. I would love my legs to look slimmer and more shapely.
A: Lower leg liposuction can be effective at improving the fuller lower leg from the knees to the ankles and making them more shapely. But it is not done in a circumferential manner as many people think. Rather it is done by treating selective areas to improve their silhouette or profile through inner knee, upper medial calf, and inner and outer lower ankle liposuction. While such lower extremity liposuction can be very effective it can take several months to get to see its benefits. As the lower legs have increased venous pressure and slower lymphatic outflow due to gravity they hang onto swelling for some time after the surgery. It usually takes about three full months to see the final results of the lower leg reshaping.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Q: Dr. Eppley, Do you do liposuction on “cankles” and calves?
A: Cankle liposuction is more than a myth, It is very real surgical procedure! Reshaping the legs from the thighs down to the ankles are liposuction procedures that I commonly do. Do not think of reshaping the lower extremities as a 360 degree circumferential procedure as that is not the approach that is taken. The most effective thigh, knee, calf and ankle liposuction technique is known as ‘silhouetting’. This is done by selectively changing the inner and outer contours to give the entire leg more shape as seen from the front. This means that the inner and outer thighs are done, the knees from across the top, inner aspect and curving below the knee into the upper calf and tapering the lower calf above the ankle area above both areas of the ankle bones. This is how one uses liposuction to make the leg more shapely from top to bottom.
While effective, cankle liposuction invokes a lot of persistent swelling around the ankles that takes months to completely go away and see the final result.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Q: Dr. Eppley, I would like to have liposuction on my calfs, but,I have been told by several doctors not to do it? Is it safe? I see on your website you do calf and ankle liposuction.
A: Liposuction can be done safely on the lower extremities, including calf and ankle liposuction. It is not a question of safety but effectiveness. Can enough fat be taken from the right places to make a visible difference. While most people that seek liposuction below the knees would like a large circumferential reduction, such changes are not usually possible. However, selective small cannula liposuction done in the right areas (high inner calf, lower inner calf, low posterior calf and inner and outer ankles) can give the calfs and ankles some shape so that they don’t look like ‘cankles’ and straight tubed calfs.
The issue with liposuction below the knees is that there will be some prolonged swelling due to the high venous pressures that naturally are present in the ankle and feet. It usually takes about 3 months for the full effects of the procedure to be seen.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana
Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in ankle liposuction. I am in good shape but have my mothers lower legs:(. No definition between thick ankles and calves) I live in another state so driving in for a consult won’t be possible with 3 small kids. I liked the pics on your site, your work looks great! Just want a ballpark figure so I can see if its in our budget for after the holidays. I can send pictures of my legs, but they are typical cankles. Not large, just not shapely. I run 1/2 marathons and compete in triathlons… Nothing helps give me a calve or smaller ankle. Thanks so much!!!
A: You undoubtably are referring to what is historically known as ‘cankle’ liposuction also known as ankle liposuction or ankle liposculpture. There would not a reason to come in for a consult. Pictures can tell me exactly all I need to know. Creating some definition between the calfs and the ankles is a minor liposuction procedure that narrows the inner and outer ankle widths. The procedure is fairly simple to perform and would cost in the ballpark number of around $4,000. The biggest issue with ankle liposuctiopn is that swelling will persist in the ankle area for awhile and the final result may take as long as three months to see.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana