Female LEG and Calf Liposculpting: New Aesthetic Approach

Goals/Purpose: Current social and aesthetic standards give legs and calves a very important role as part of the appealing look of the female anatomy. There have been some advances trying to define the ideal characteristics of them. Currently, the gold standard treatment considers mostly liposuction for reduction of legs and calves or calf augmentation using implants, but the published practice with fat grafting and liposculpting is quite limited. The authors describe a new approach for leg and calf sculpting, including fat grafting in selected cases, in order to improve contour and long-lasting results.

Methods/Technique: From January 2010 to September 2013, 453 patients for leg liposculpting, 89 patients were incorporated for leg and calf, and 21 patients for adjunctive calf fat grafting. Calf analysis and markings are done according to a new aesthetic approach designed by the senior author. The procedure begins with infiltration with tumescent solution, third generation ultrasound emulsification and liposuction. Lipoinjection was done over areas with lack of volume. The evaluation was performed by means of photographic analysis considering the aesthetics beauty parameters of the Fibonacci progression described by previous authors. Pre-operative, 1, 3, 6 and 12-month postoperative pictures were taken in order to evaluate results.

Results/Complications: The desired leg and calf contour was achieved in all the patients. Minor complications including prolonged swelling and bruising were found. There were no major complications. The Follow up period was up to 1 year. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term fat reabsorption.

Conclusion: This alternative technique is a reliable and reproducible sculpting method that achieves the desired appealing beauty standard with low rate of complications. Fat grafting can be an option for volumetric enlargement offering an alternative to implants.