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Liposuction on the Ankles

Ankle liposuction, first developed in the 1960s, has become an increasingly popular procedure, particularly among women who want to wear heels or short dresses. According to Ethel Frese, who teaches exercise physiology at St. Louis University, you can't "spot-reduce" fat. Instead, ankle liposuction has been developed to contour fat ankles where diet and exercise have failed.

  1. Function

    • Liposuction on the ankles is a treatment to remove "cankles," a colloquial phrase for fat deposits in the area between the ankles and calves. Fat ankles cause a lack of definition in the lower leg. Liposuction removes some of the localized fat and restores a more traditional form to the ankle area.

    Procedure

    • Ankle liposuction is performed under anesthesia. A small tube called a cannula is inserted into each ankle; fat cells are loosened and suctioned out. Removing fat in this manner means that the area is less likely to develop fat in future due to the decrease in fat cells.

    Types

    • There are several types of liposuction for the ankles. Traditional liposuction uses a cannula only. Newer techniques, such as SmartLipo and CoolLipo, use lasers to melt the fat; the ankle fat is then either extracted via a cannula or allowed to metabolize and expel naturally through the body.

    Cost

    • According to the "Wall Street Journal," ankle liposuction costs approximately $4,000 to $6,000. These costs include surgical fees, as well as anesthesia and post-operation appointments.

    Risks

    • Most of the blood vessels in the leg are located close to the leg bones; however, the saphenous vein is closer to the surface. Puncturing this vein during surgery can cause bleeding and post-operative bruising.

      Scarring is also a concern with ankle liposuction. Patients may have permanent marks where the cannula is inserted. These scars may heal slowly or develop hyperpigmentation.

      Patients should provide their surgeon with a full medical history before undergoing ankle liposuction. This will reduce the risks of the procedure.

    Considerations

    • Patients should have a thorough consultation with a doctor before undergoing liposuction on the ankles. According to Dr. Kathya Zinszer at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine, chubby ankles can be a sign of other health problems, including diabetes, hypertension, fluid retention and heart disease. These underlying causes should be ruled out before proceeding with ankle liposuction.

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