What Kind of Surgery to Slim Calves Can I Have?

Women with thick legs often seek surgery to slim their calves, but which are the best and safest options? Calf reduction procedures can contour and slim down the lower part of the legs. But there is more than one operation that women can choose from. For those who long to wear miniskirts, tall boots, and skinny jeans, which surgery is best? Here, we take a closer look at the various procedures available and which you should consider.

Why Have Calf Surgery?

It may be surprising to women with naturally slim legs, but calf size greatly affects daily life. Having chunky calves can restrict your clothing choices. It can also cause poor self-confidence and self-esteem issues. Many fashion styles today demand women have slim, sleek, and feminine calves. From skin-tight jeans to strappy sandals, all require the wearer to have toned and contoured lower legs. If you have cankles or suffer from thick calves, calf surgery represents an excellent solution. While doctors often recommend dieting and exercise to reduce the size of the calves, this rarely works. In fact, in some cases, exercising can make the calves appear larger. Calf surgery, therefore, can address this problem area effectively. There are various types of calf surgery, so here is an overview of the most common options. 

Muscle Resection Surgery 

One cosmetic surgery option to reduce the size of the calves is muscle resection surgery. This procedure is very popular in Asian countries but not so popular in the United States. This surgery involves removing some of the calf’s gastrocnemius muscle. This is an aggressive and drastic way to reduce the size of the calf. Its results can vary. While some patients are delighted by their outcome, others report mobility issues and scarring afterward.

Nerve Blocking 

Another option to reduce the size of the calf is to use selective nerve blocking techniques. This is a minimally invasive form of surgery. Sometimes known as a calf neurectomy, it involves cutting the nerves that control the calf muscle. This causes the calf muscle to receive fewer signals telling it to flex. As a result, the muscle starts atrophying and reduces in size. 

Calf Liposuction

Liposuction is an effective way to reduce fatty deposits in the calf area. By removing the fat cells permanently, it produces a slimmer contour for the lower leg. Unfortunately, many cosmetic surgeons refuse to carry out this procedure because of its complexity. Even those that do carry out the procedure take a very conservative approach to treatment. This means that the outcome is often less than impressive. Here at Artlipo, though, Dr. Su is a resident expert in the field. His active liposuction technique removes the maximum amount of fat and helps to tighten up the skin. If you look at our before and after gallery, you will see the outcomes he can achieve.

Botox Injections

Botox injections are a minimally invasive option for reducing big calf muscles gradually. These injections relax the muscles and are the same as those used to combat wrinkles. By injecting botulinum toxin into the calf’s gastrocnemius muscle, the surgeon can reduce its overall circumference. There have been very few negative effects reported from this method. However, you must have ongoing treatments as the effect wears off after a while.

Muscle Ablation 

Another option for contouring the calf muscle is radiofrequency nerve and muscle ablation. This uses radiofrequency energy on the nerves to reduce the size of the calf muscle. This treatment also burns away part of the calf muscle, and it severs the nerve bundles. This ceases growth in areas of the calf. 

Which Method Is the Safest?

Procedures that remove part of the calf muscle come with a host of risks. These include scarring, blood clots, swelling, and prolonged pain. Patients are also more likely to experience mobility issues in the long term. This makes muscle ablation and muscle resection surgery a poor choice. Following these procedures, patients have also reported tiredness while walking, pigmentation issues with scars, and asymmetry. In severe cases, patients have even experienced serious complications, such as necrosis and muscle edema.

Less invasive procedures are, therefore, safer. While Botox injections can be effective, they require ongoing maintenance. This can prove to be expensive and time-consuming. For this reason, liposuction is the best solution. Calf lipo permanently removes the problematic fat cells, providing a long-lasting result. In the hands of a skilled surgeon, it also produces smooth, even, and flawless outcomes. 

Arranging My Surgery

If you’re ready to find out more about calf liposuction, contact the Artlipo team today. As experts in the field of liposuction, we can offer you guidance and advice about this procedure. We believe lipo is the best and safest surgery to slim calves, so give us a call today.