Leg Liposuction

Slender calves, shapely knees, and dainty ankles are the envy of every woman; however, they are very difficult to achieve with diet and exercise alone. Most fat deposits in the legs are composed of superficial fat, which—until recently—was off limits to liposuction due to its delicate nature and close proximity to equally delicate skin. The presence of superficial fat also means the legs are stubbornly resistant to weight loss.

Today there are very few anatomical regions that cannot be slimmed or enhanced by liposuction. Now, thighs and calves, ankles and knees can all be slimmed and toned with VASER Liposuction. The VASER technology and Dr. Shapiro's undeniable surgical talent have combined to take leg liposuction to a whole new level—minimally invasive, fast recovery, and phenomenal results. For whom?
This procedure is meant for patients who are in decent physical shape. It is not designed for those who are very overweight or obese. Liposuction depends on skin retraction to attain its phenomenal results, and a person who is obese is likely to have too much skin laxity to retract sufficiently over the new fat and muscular foundations. These patients should consider the thigh lift section of this website. A detailed consultation with Dr. Shapiro, a Scottsdale based surgeon, will help you decide how to best proceed in your body contouring needs.

VASER Liposuction can be used as primary treatment for the lower extremities, as well as a secondary procedure to correct and even out past procedures that were performed poorly.

Procedure Leg and knee liposuction is commonly performed as a combined procedure with thigh and buttocks liposuction—most especially pairing the inner thighs with the inner knees for a balanced look—but can be performed alone as well.

By using very small incisions and careful technique, Dr. Shapiro can remove unwanted fat from around the inner knees, calves, and ankles to produce those slender, shapely legs so many women desire—without the obvious scars. Incisions are hidden in inconspicuous places at the knees, in the back of the legs, and the groin. Leg and knee liposuction is performed under local tumescent anesthesia, and most often on an out-patient basis.

Proceed With Caution
While a surgeon's expertise is quintessential to any surgical procedure, it seems to be most relevant to leg and knee liposuction. Knowing what could go wrong is very important to deciding who to go to for your surgery and what areas to have treated.

The most common error—often seen in surgeons who are not certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons—is removing too much fat from the legs. Overresection causes contour irregularities and can result in future damage to the blood vessels in the legs. These mistakes are very difficult to correct.

It is also important that care is taken around the knees, especially the backs, or the popliteal fossa, where the blood vessels and nerves are closely knit and very near the skin. The good news is that most deposits of fat around the knees are on the insides and outsides, not the backs.

Much of a woman's shapely, feminine curvature comes from certain deposits of fat left in just the right places. For that reason, a surgeon's strong aesthetic eye is required for a successful liposuction procedure. You should always choose a surgeon who has a strong portfolio of results that are attractive to you. Remember: advanced technology does not necessarily make an advanced surgeon.

Recovery
Generally after liposuction, a compressive garment is worn for 3 to 6 weeks, and final results are not evident for approximately six months. For lower leg and knee liposuction, walking gently is encouraged. Dr. Shapiro may use drains in incision sites to help surgical fluid exit the body. This keeps your ankles and calves from remaining swollen and tender for long periods of time, and removes the requirement to keep your legs elevated. Most patients are able to return to low exertion work one week after surgery. Exercise should not be resumed in the legs, especially high impact exercise, until four to six weeks later.