Lipedema and Calf-Shaping
Lipedema affects 11% or more women in the United States, but it is thought that the condition may be underdiagnosed. Lipedema almost exclusively occurs in women. For many women, lipedema causes pain and swelling, to say nothing of its unsightly appearance. Fortunately, lipedema can be treated with liposuction and modern calf-shaping surgical techniques. At Advanced Plastic Surgery, we offer our Grand Rapids patients suffering from this debilitating condition the option to improve the overall wellbeing, with the added benefit of obtaining slimmer calves that can be shown off!
What is Lipedema and Calf-Shaping??
Lipedema refers to fluid in the fat cells. It is a condition in which enlarged fat cells compress the lymphatic system in the lower legs. Lipedema may also constrict blood vessels and limit circulation, causing pain and additional swelling. It is also linked with increased appearance of spider veins and easy bruising. This health issue may have genetic causes and is not responsive to exercise or dietary changes.
Calf-shaping is a technique that uses liposuction to remove stubborn, excess fatty deposits that constrict the lower legs. This results in a slimmer calf contour while also improving circulation and releasing pressure on the lymphatic system.
Advanced Plastic Surgery focuses on blood vessel-preserving fat removal to safely maintain the circulatory and lymphatic system functioning in the legs while preventing excessive scarring or additional surgical complications.
What Are the Benefits of Lipedema and Calf-Shaping?
At Advanced Plastic Surgery in Grand Rapids, MI, we have seen calf-shaping benefit our patients with lipedema in the following ways:
- Removal of excess fat deposits
- Improved the function of the lymphatic system
- Reduction of pressure on blood
- Slimmer calves
Who Are the Best Candidates For Lipedema and Calf-Shaping?
The best candidates for calf-shaping and lipedema surgical treatment in Grand Rapids are patients who:
- Suffer from pain or swelling due to fatty legs
- Have “bulky” calves due to stubborn fat deposits
- Dislike the appearance of their calves and “bracelet-like” transition at the ankle
- Have good skin elasticity
A consultation with Dr. Timek is required to determine whether you are a good candidate for our lipedema treatment or calf-shaping procedures. It is important to understand that these procedures are not meant to be used as a weight loss tool but rather as a method of reducing and sculpting stubborn excess fat areas that normal exercise is having difficulty removing.
– Ewa Timek, MD
What’s The First Step?
AT ADVANCED PLASTIC SURGERY
Before you are scheduled for a lipedema surgical treatment or calf-shaping procedure, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Ewa Timek. During this private, one-on-one meeting, Dr. Timek will ask you about your current state of health, medical history, and the results you hope to achieve. Dr. Timek wants to ensure you understand every aspect of the lipedema or calf-shaping procedure before recommending you for surgery. Once you are recommended for surgery, the date will be scheduled with our Patient Coordinator.
What to Expect on the Day of a Lipedema and Calf-Shaping Surgery
This surgery is conducted under general anesthesia and delivered by our fellowship-trained anesthesiologists. The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities accredits our surgical facility.
During the procedure, a small incision is made near the treatment site. This allows for the insertion of a special basket cannula. The device uses vibration energy to emulsify the fat, making it easier to remove. The fat is then removed gently via suction, allowing room for additional augmentation procedures.
If you are undergoing calf-shaping in addition to lipedema treatment, some of the fat that is removed with certain liposuction techniques, such as HP-Lipo, can be put back into your body. This is the fat transfer technique, where the fat is specially prepared before it is reinjected into the body area to create subtle and natural-looking results. The combination of tissue and blood flow-sparing liposuction along with fat grafting provides an opportunity for achieving high-precision body contouring, leaving your calves shaped and slim.
Lipedema and Calf-Shaping Recovery
Lipedema and calf-shaping are outpatient procedures, so you will be able to return home to recover peacefully and take it easy for a few days. Even if a local anesthetic was used, your body needs time to heal. Have someone nearby who can prepare meals and engage in light cleaning so you can rest. After the surgery, you will need to wear a compression garment for 5-6 weeks. You may need a drain, which will be removed 5-10 days after surgery. The purpose of this technique is to stimulate your lymphatic system, which aids in the removal of waste from your body.
We will ask you to return to Advanced Plastic Surgery for follow-up visits to ensure long-term results and assess for rare potential complications. Detailed instructions about drain care and garment application will be provided to you at your pre-operative appointment. In most cases, you can expect to return to work after ten to fourteen days.
AVERAGE COST
How Much Does Lipedema and Calf-Shaping Cost in Grand Rapids, MI?
The price of lipedema and calf-shaping surgery in Grand Rapids is based on several factors, some of which include the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia cost, and facility fee, as well as the areas of contour change and predicted length of the procedure. For the most accurate cost of your procedure, please schedule your consultation with Dr. Timek.
Why Choose
Advanced Plastic Surgery
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ewa Timek has vast experience in body contouring using state-of-the-art liposculpting techniques. She has developed a technique that uses principles of SAFELipo to achieve customized and preplanned body contouring. As a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Association of Plastic Surgery (AAPS), and the American Society of Reconstruction Microsurgery (ASRM), she has dedicated her life to specializing in a broad spectrum of plastic, reconstructive, and microsurgical procedures. She serves on the editorial boards of the Microsurgery Journal and Annals of Plastic Surgery and strives to provide her patients with a comfortable, safe environment with a warm, caring staff that attends to their individual needs and deliver comprehensive and sound medical advice that will guide our patients through the decision-making process.
Lipedema and Calf-Shaping FAQs
BECOME A PATIENT
contact us
If you have been suffering from lipedema or bulky calves due to stubborn fat, lipedema or calf surgery in Grand Rapids may be perfect. Call Advanced Plastic Surgery at (616) 323-3102 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Timek or request an appointment through our website today.
Patient Resources
Advanced Plastic Surgery
We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out.