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I’m Not Overweight, So Why Do I Have Fat Ankles?

By: Thomas Su, M.D.

8/30/2021

Many women think that fat ankles only occur because they are overweight. Yet this isn’t the case at all. The “cankle” phenomenon can occur in women of all shapes and sizes.


This can be especially distressing for women who are otherwise slim but have bulky lower legs. They may feel as if their ankles are disproportionately large to the rest of their frames. They may also feel self-conscious and embarrassed to reveal them in public. This can lead to a restricted wardrobe of long skirts and pants. It can also lead to ongoing self-esteem issues that can be difficult to address.


If you aren’t overweight but still have large ankles, there could be several reasons for this. The most likely scenario, however, is that your bulky ankles are because of genetics. Here, we take a closer look at why cankles appear and what you can do about them.


The Causes of Cankles

One of the primary causes of cankles is obesity. Being generally overweight will lead to excess fat in the lower legs in many cases. If you lose weight, your ankles naturally slim down, too. If you’re already at your ideal weight, though, obesity cannot be the cause of your cankles. This means you need to look at other potential causes.


There are a few medical causes of cankles that you may want to investigate. This is especially the case if your swollen ankles are a recent phenomenon. DVT, venous insufficiency, or even a heart, kidney, or liver problem could cause large ankles. If you’re concerned about any of these or experiencing other symptoms, consult with your doctor.


If your cankles only appeared after you started to take a certain type of medication, this could pinpoint the cause. Visiting your physician to ask about switching medications could resolve the issue easily.


Swollen ankles can also occur seasonally because of hot weather. If this is the case, try elevating your legs to see if the swelling reduces. They may also arise because of excess sodium in your diet. Try reducing the amount of salt you add to your food and switch to nonprocessed foods. This could help to make your calves slimmer.


If you’ve had cankles all your life, though, chances are you aren’t suffering from a medical problem. Unfortunately, genetics has a role to play in bulky ankles and calves. If your family members have similar legs, there’s little you can do. Some people just naturally accumulate more fat in their lower legs. Even when they are at the correct weights for their heights, they still have bigger legs. If this is the case for you, it’s likely that exercising and dieting have no impact on your cankles. You’ll, therefore, need to consider surgical options.


Why Doesn’t Exercise Work?

If obesity is the cause of your ankle problem, you can often address this through diet and exercise. Generally, losing weight will also reduce the size of your ankles. Meanwhile, adding calf exercises into your regimen will tone those muscles and give them more definition. If you are already slim, though, exercising and dieting will make little to no difference to your cankles.


Some women worry that exercise will cause their ankles and calves to look bigger. Usually, this isn’t the case. Physical activity can improve blood flow while reducing body fat overall. If your ankles lack definition, calf exercises may help to give your lower legs a shapelier look. Most likely, though, they will have limited effect.


Is Surgery An Option?

If you’re very distressed by the appearance of your ankles, surgery is a valid option. The best way to treat large ankles is by liposuction. Cankle liposuction involves the permanent removal of the excess fat cells in the ankle and calf area. This leaves the lower leg looking slimmer and more toned.


A surgeon carries out cankle liposuction under a local anesthetic, so you’ll be awake throughout the procedure. You won’t experience any pain or discomfort, though, and the surgical team will put you at ease.


The surgeon will make tiny incisions in the ankle area and pass a cannula or narrow tube through them. The cannula sucks out the fat cells. You will then be able to return home the same day.


360 Ankle Liposuction

If you’re considering ankle liposuction, it’s important to select a cosmetic surgeon with extensive experience. Treating the calf and ankle area is complex and requires extreme skill. Here at Artlipo, Dr. Su is an expert in 360-degree liposuction of the lower legs. He can achieve complete results by removing the maximum amount of fat from around the circumference of the leg. He then sculpts the remaining fat for a more beautiful and slimmer look.


If you’re worried about your fat ankles, contact the Artlipo team today and arrange a consultation.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.