Slimming down your calves to refine your lower legs and achieve that intriguing feminine sculpted look isn’t a hard thing to do! Hold tight because calf liposuction can do just that and more!

This procedure is what many people with oversized ankles or calves really need! Doctors and health practitioners often recommend the procedure to people who have large pockets of fat on their calves, also known as “cankles”.

Moreover, people with lipedema may benefit a lot from the procedure too. The result of calf liposuction is usually satisfactory in most cases, but the degree of improvement differs between people and the potential risks remain an important element in any discussion about this type of surgery.

What Is Calf Liposuction?

Calf liposuction, also known as calf lipo or cankle liposuction, is a surgical intervention to remove excess fat from the calf and ankles, particularly the fat deposits in the calf muscles and Achilles’s tendons. The procedure is also known as lipoplasty of the lower extremities and may be performed as part of leg liposuction.

The procedure can produce remarkable improvements in the shape and size of your legs and make them look thinner and better defined. This is a great solution to stubborn fatty deposits that accumulate often in the calves and which are hard to deal with using diet or exercise.    

Benefits of Calf Liposuction

Calf Lipo

Calf lipo is a very advantageous procedure despite being simpler than other body sculpting procedures that target the calf region. Below are some of the benefits that you may get from this calf lipo:

  • Eliminate stubborn, excess fat pockets in the calves and ankles
  • Improve the symmetry and shape of the calves on both sides
  • Boost your self-confidence and self-esteem and make you feel a lot better
  • Allow you to try wearing new clothing options, including skirts or swimwear
  • Help treat a condition called lipedema, which develops in many women
  • Can be combined with nonsurgical cosmetic procedures to treat cellulite

Candidates for Calf Liposuction

Calf lipo is an available choice for most men and women, but not for those with critical health conditions, such as diabetes. It’s not also recommended for extremely overweight people. The ideal candidates are:

  • Those with localized fat pockets in the calves and ankles
  • Those with an advanced case of lipedema
  • Healthy people with stable, within-normal body weight
  • Those with elastic, firm skin types 
  • Those with realistic, achievable expectations

The procedure of Calf Liposuction

You must meet up first with your surgeon to discuss the procedure in detail and undergo a physical examination to check on the health of your calves and lower extremity. The steps of calf lipo include:

Anesthesia

Depending on the complexity of your procedure, your surgeon may put you under general anesthesia or local sedation.

Making the Incisions

Once you turn asleep, your surgeon will mark and incision sites and start making an incision on the inner or outer sides of the calf. In some instances, the surgeon makes two incisions on either side of the calf, not just one incision.

Cannula Insertion

To break up the fat cells, your surgeon is going to insert a special cannula into the target area. They will guide the cannula and suck out the fat using a vacuum. However, not all liposuction types involve a vacuum. For instance, if your surgeon has decided to use water-assisted liposuction, the method of breaking up fat will depend on steamed pressure.

Closing the Incisions

Once the fat is extracted as planned from the area, your surgeon will stitch the incisions and warp the site with bandages.

Calf Liposuction Before and After

Calf Liposuction Before and After
Calf Liposuction Before and After image

Calf lipo can redefine the overall shape of your leg in a natural way. The results of calf lipo are clearly apparent when making the comparison between before and after pictures.

The good thing about liposuction in Turkey in general is that it can remove fat cells and prevent their growth in the future as long as the patient keeps their weight under control. Below are some calf liposuction before and after pictures that show the improvement that people often receive from the procedure:

Calf Liposuction Recovery

The recovery phase after calf lipo is usually straightforward without unexpected complications. Consider the following instructions during this period:

  • Wear a compression garment in the following weeks to prevent swelling and edema.
  • Take painkillers to relieve pain. Your doctor will prescribe medications for you based on the severity of the pain. Some of these medications may treat nausea as well.
  • Expect to feel fatigued in the days following the procedure. You may also feel nausea and swelling.
  • Take enough rest and get back to your work and exercise routines only after feeling well and healed, usually after at least 1-2 weeks.
  • Consider having massage sessions to encourage optimal circulation and recovery for your leg.

Risks of Calf Liposuction

Calf lipo is a simple procedure with a low level of complexity compared to other types of liposuctions, but it’s still a surgery, and like all surgeries, it carries certain potential risks.

According to a recent study, the procedure can cause contour surface irregularity and asymmetrical proportions along with other unwanted results. The study recommended that surgeons be very cautious when examining patients before offering calf lipo.

In any case, the risks of calf lipo are diverse and you better be aware of them before deciding to move on with your decision, and they may include:

  • Swelling or edema
  • Infection or hematoma
  • Unwanted results
  • Hyperpigmentation
  • Blood loss
  • Thromboembolism or fat embolism
  • Visible scars

How Much Is Calf Liposuction?

When it comes to pricing, calf lipo falls into the mid-range category. It’s not expensive because, after all, it’s just one area with a limited number of fat cells. However, keep in mind that the cost of calf lipo varies widely and depends on different factors, such as location and surgeon reputation.

Turkey is known for being the cheapest option on the map for liposuction procedures, including calf lipo. Unlike other parts of the world, the cheap cost of cosmetic procedures doesn’t come at expense of the quality. The table below displays an estimated cost of calf lipo in different countries:

Turkey2200-2500 US dollars
United States3000-4000 US dollars
United Kingdom3500-5000 US dollars
Germany2500- 6000 US dollars
South Africa2800 – 3500 US dollars

The Bottom Line

Calf lipo or cankle liposuction is a great way to sculpt and redefine the shape of your calves and ankles. The procedure may suit you best if you have significant fat cells in these areas. It’s relatively a cheap procedure, but it carries some potential risks.

International Clinics provides calf lipo using different techniques of liposuction to bring the best possible results without complications. Our surgeons have provided this procedure to thousands of happy patients from all around the world.

We also provide exceptional packages for men and women who want to combine calf lipo with other cosmetic procedures. Reach us immediately now by using the contact us buttons below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why Are My Calves So Big and Fat?

The reason for your calves being big and fat is probably having to do with your genetic makeup. Your genes determine the distribution of fat in your body as well as other things, such as your muscle mass and height.

Can You Do Liposuction on Your Calves?

You can do liposuction on your calves to make them look thinner and more symmetrical. This is called calf liposuction and it’s one of the least complicated types of liposuction.

Is Calf Liposuction Painful?

Calf lipo is simple and doesn’t cause pain because surgeons often use general anesthesia during the procedure. However, you may feel some discomfort after the procedure, in which case you can take painkillers to alleviate these symptoms.

How Long Is Recovery from Calf Liposuction?

You may need around 5-6 weeks to fully recover after the procedure. Some people may recover faster, while other may need extra time to recover fully and back to their normal daily activities.

Is Calf Liposuction Permanent?

Calf liposuction can bring semi-permanent results. In other words, your results will remain in place as long as you keep your weight under control and follow a healthy lifestyle.

How Can I Reduce My Chubby Calves?

You can reduce your chubby calves in different ways. For instance, you can practice certain exercises that target the calves such as calf raises and stair climbing. You can also consider liposuction to shed extra fat from this area.

Can You Walk After Calf Liposuction?

You can walk normally after a couple of days following the procedure. However, you must be careful and proceed with your walking with caution to avoid putting extra pressure on the surgical site.

Read more: Liposuction cost in Turkey