Leg Aesthetics
What is leg aesthetics?
When legs are excessively thin or thick, or when they are bandy, or when patients would like to have more toned legs, they may consider undergoing aesthetical leg operations. The aim is to improve the appearance of legs from ankle up to buttocks.
Who undergoes aesthetical leg operations?
Patients who are not satisfied with the shape of their legs, who have thicker soft tissues under their knees or at ankles, who have knock knees or who would like to have more toned legs can undergo these operations.
What should be done prior to surgery?
As in all plastic surgeries, the patient should quit smoking minimum two weeks prior to the operation and should also avoid smoking for two weeks after the operation. Anticoagulant drugs, such as Aspirin etc. should be quitted minimum 10 days before the operation. The patient should discontinue any other medication or dietary supplement (medication that include Ginseng, CoQ, Gingko Bloba etc.) 1 week before the operation. The patient should also disclose any other significant condition to their surgeon.
What is the surgery technique?
These procedures may be performed in a single operation or as combined operations under general anaesthesia, and they may take up to 1 to 3 hours, depending on the type of the procedures. For fat shaping, the hip area, inner thighs, inner knees and ankles are subjected to liposuction procedure. Fat transfer may be applied on required areas. For very thin legs, 2 cm incisions are cut at the back of the knees, and specially designed silicon prosthesis might be fixed onto calves. Vertical thigh lifting procedure might be performed to remove the excessive skin inside legs due to excessive weight gain or loss. However, one should keep in mind that there will be permanent traces of the operation on the inner thighs, though they will become less visible in time. Patients shall necessarily be informed about these traces prior to operation.
What to expect after the surgery:
Patients are generally released from the hospital the following day. They can have a bath on the second day. Patients are advised to wear post-surgical corset socks for the first three weeks. There might be slight bruising on areas that were subjected to fat shaping process. The bruising should disappear at the end of the 3rd week. Patients are advised to sleep with a pillow under their legs in order to get rid of the oedema quicker. If calf prosthesis is used, patients are advised to avoid too much movement. Sports activities should be limited for the first six weeks. To get rid of oedemas quicker, lymphatic drainage massages are advised in the first months following the procedure.