Liposuction for legs is one of the most common liposuction procedures, especially for women. Many women want to improve the look of their legs since this area of the body is often uncovered, especially in warm weather. Unfortunately, the distribution and proportion of fatty tissue in the legs is, in a large degree, genetically predetermined. This means that regular diet and exercise can have less effect on the shape and appearance of your legs. Liposuction can change that.
Liposuction can be safely performed on many areas of the legs, including the thigh, front of the knees, calves and ankles. The one place on the leg that liposuction is not recommended is the back of the knee. This area contains major blood vessels and nerves that are very susceptible to permanent damage. Even on legs, liposuction recovery times can vary.
Cosmetic surgeons do need to take special care when performing leg liposuction. The fat deposits on the leg are superficial and not deep. This will not be a problem for a board certified cosmetic surgeon who has plenty of experience.
There are two popular methods used in liposuction for legs. The first is tumescent liposuction. In this process the doctor will first inject a tumescent fluid (a mixture of epinephrine, salt water and anesthesia, usually lidocaine) into the fatty deposits. Then the surgeon will insert a tube like instrument, known as a cannula, through strategically located incisions. Next, the cannula is pushed and pulled around under the skin and its sharp edges break apart the fatty deposits. The wand is hollow and contains a suctioning device that vacuums up the liquefied fat.
A variation of this method can also use ultrasonic sound waves to break up the fatty tissue, instead of the sharp edges on a traditional cannula. The sound waves are delivered through a modified cannula and the resulting liquid is vacuumed up.
Another popular method is laser liposuction. This process was approved by the FDA in late 2006. It utilizes a heat emitting light laser to liquefy the fat before it is sucked away by the traditional vacuuming. An added benefit to the use of the laser is that the heat generated causes the tiny blood vessels to coagulate, speeding up the liposuction recovery time and minimizing bruising.
All of these methods allow the surgeon to precisely control the amount and area of fat removal, making them ideal for leg liposuction. As with any medical procedure, be sure to research the surgeon before undergoing any treatment.