Ankle Liposuction

In surveys given to men asking what they consider to be the sexiest body part in women, one of the most popular answers were legs. ZZ Top sang about them and many men describe themselves as leg people but for women legs are often a source of insecurity. Considering that legs are often the part of their bodies that are exposed, many women struggle with the appearance of fat legs. Considering that a large proportion of women are genetically predisposed to having a higher proportion of fat in their legs and ankles, many women adamantly try to reduce the fat located within their legs and ankles through exercise and diet. However, the fat located in ankles and fats are highly resistant to these activities. As a result, ankle liposuction is among the most popular plastic surgery procedures.

Ankle Liposuction

For people that struggle with fat legs and ankles, it is difficult to take solace in the fact that the distribution and proportion of localized fat in these areas of the body are genetically predetermined. That fat in the legs and ankles are determined through genetics means that the traditional methods of reducing fat do not apply to the legs and ankles. Additionally, the fat that is located within the ankles and legs are composed primarily of relatively superficial fat. As the legs and ankles do not contain deep compartments of fat on the leg and ankles, ankle liposuction becomes a much more difficult procedure.

However, liposuction surgical techniques have rapidly improved over the last twenty years and ankle liposuction is considered a safe and efficient procedure. Unlike other areas of the body, liposuction ankles surgery has its own unique set of difficulties. For example, ankles are made up of primarily muscle and bone unlike other parts of the body that are made up of skin and fat. Consequently, liposuction in the ankle has to be performed carefully due to the greater risk of damage to the sensitive veins located in the ankle. Due to the effects of gravity, these sensitive veins in the ankle are especially vulnerable to the long-term effects of injury to the subdermal vascular plexus.

An ankle liposuction procedure involves the use of a micro-cannula (liposuction probe) that is more expensive and detailed than a regular cannula that is used in more traditional liposuction procedures. A micro-cannula is used to hide scarring caused by the procedure. As incisions that are made in the ankle region tend to scar more, plastic surgeons use the micro-cannula as a way to avoid obvious scarring. Although the use of this instrument increases the cost and time needed to perform this procedure, patients will find that the use of these specialized ankle liposuction techniques produces better results. After the ankle liposuction procedure has been completed, patients have the option to undergo a technique that is known as open-drainage. Open-drainage is used to solve the problem of persistent swelling of the ankles following ankle liposuction and its use results in minimal postoperative swelling that is resolved within days of the surgery. In the open drainage procedure, a plastic surgeon makes several tiny adits (1mm to 1.5mm round holes in the skin) on the ankle that promotes drainage of residual blood-tinged tumescent anesthetic solution that was used during the ankle liposuction procedure. The presence of this liquid solution is responsible for much of the swelling and bruising that is present following ankle liposuction. By undergoing this additional open drainage procedure following ankle liposuction, patients will find that the aftereffects of the ankle liposuction treatment will be minimized.

Although ankle liposuction may seem to have a minimal effect on the overall appearance of a person, many past ankle liposuction patients feel that this surgery has been a great benefit to their lives. By eliminating the fat deposits in their ankles, these patients feel that their legs are now one of their best physical attributes. Individuals interested in undergoing ankle liposuction should be aware that the goal of this procedure is to create a more aesthetically pleasing and natural look in your ankles. Excessive ankle liposuction should be avoided, as it can result in serious damage to blood vessels located within the ankle.