Letty's Liposuction Directory

Got cankles?

If you are one of those people who don't have well-defined ankles in juxtaposition to your calves, then this article is for you.

We intend to get down and dirty with some information about improving the appearance of your ankles and calves – using both surgical and non-surgical techniques.

How exciting...

So, let's get started.

What are "cankles" anyway?

I can't imagine anyone out there who hasn't heard this fashionable slang...

"Cankles" are a non-scientific way to describe someone (generally female) with big, blocky legs that don't taper down to a delicate ankle.

Why do I have these cankles?

It is important to understand that genetics controls our physical appearance to a large degree. How we store fat, how large our muscles are, and how small our bones are, is a function of genetics.

So, we really must be realistic when we assess our body types...

Not all of us have delicate ankles. In fact, all of the women in my family are thick-boned and meaty from our backsides all the way down to the toes.

Can anyone out there relate to what I'm saying?...

Personally, no matter how hard I exercise or how much weight I lose, my stubborn cankles pretty much go along for the ride.

So, I think being realistic is really important.

Are you pregnant?...

It is true that many women develop cankles during pregnancy. However, those women who return to their pre-pregnancy weights can resolve their pregnancy-related cankles. But your cankles can become more permanent after pregnancy if your weight does not return to normal once the baby is born.

Cankles can also be a sign of health troubles.

If your ankles are swollen and retaining fluid – it could be a sign of kidney trouble, diabetes, or vascular disease. Be sure to get checked out if your suspect that declining health is the culprit.

So, you can see that there are many reasons why we have cankles. Let's talk about what to do about them.

What kind of things can I do to improve my "cankles"?

1. A. Non-Surgical Techniques:

   Diet and exercise is king...

   For those who are over-weight and everything is large (include your calves and ankles), then losing some weight is imperative.

   A good plan of attack is to: Do cardio that burns fat and shapes your glutes, hamstrings, quads and calves. Exercises like hill running, and walking, stair-climbing,inline-skating, and out-of-the-saddle hill climbing on a spin bike, will all burn calories and tone key muscles in the lower body.

   So, for those healthy individuals who cannot lose their cankles after diet and exercise you may consider surgery.

2. B. Surgical Techniques:

   Ankle liposuction is one of the surgical techniques that have been used successfully to reshape the cankle area.

   Another surgical option is – calf implants. If your ankles are large with respect to your ankles - increasing the girth of your calves with implants may help add some needed contouring and proportionality.

   For more surgical options available to you currently, be sure to consult a board-certified surgeon in your local area.

Let's talk about calf and ankle liposuction?

Between the two surgical options mentioned above, calf implants are definitely the more invasive of the two.

Many of you would consider having calf or ankle liposuction to gently contour your cankle area, before you would ever consider inserting implants in your legs. However, both surgeries carry with them some risks.

Generally some of the risks of ankle liposuction surgery are (but are not limited to):

1. Clot formation (DVT).
2. Infection.
3. Getting an asymmetrical, lumpy or wavy result.
4. Scarring.

Definitely, take some time to discuss your risk factors with a qualified plastic surgeon.

What is the take-home here?

No one can tell you what is right for you. Only you know that.

However if there is any way for you to accept your body just as you find it - especially after dieting, exercising and generally improving your mental and physical well-being - then you will be able to avoid the dangers associated with surgery.

Understand that defying your genetics comes at a price.

BUT if you are determined to have surgery, then please make sure that you take the time to pick a well-qualified plastic surgeon.

Period - end of sentence.

Ankle Lipsouction References:

• McDowell, Dimity. "Ask the trainer." Shape (Feb 2007): 86. General OneFile (Apr. 2011).

• Hilton, Lisette. "Lower-limb liposuction: patient selection, surgeon experience key to success with circumferential procedure (body)." Cosmetic Surgery Times. vol. 11.9 (Oct 2008): 44(3). Expanded Academic ASAP (July 2009).

• Weider, Betty. "Spot removal: turn problem areas into your best bodyparts with these moves (Just for Women)." Joe Weider's Muscle & Fitness (May 2004): 244+. General OneFile (2 Feb. 2011).

• Wong, Elaine. "Gold's Gym Advises: Say No to 'Cankles'." ADWEEK Online (2009). General OneFile (Apr. 2011).

• "This body part has a funny side, it may be a sign of serious health problems." Standard-Examiner [Ogden, UT] 8 Sept. 2009. General OneFile (20 Apr. 2011).

• "Liposuction." Louann W. Murray, Ph.D. and Tish Davidson, A.M. The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, Online update, 2008. 5 vols.