There are plastic surgery procedures commonly associated with female patients, such as breast augmentation, tummy tucks, liposuction, and blepharoplasty. While it’s true that women make up the largest percentage of plastic surgery patients overall and across the board, there are some procedures that are made especially for men–like pectoral implant surgery, and breast reduction for men (gynecomastia).
Along with these procedures designed for men are other cosmetic surgery procedures both men and women undergo where men make up the majority of patients. These include hair transplantation and chin augmentation (mentoplasty).
An area where men are the predominant patient for plastic surgery is in calf augmentation surgery. Based on statistics from American Society of Plastic Surgery, over 57% of men accounted for all patients who underwent calf augmentation surgery in 2017, totaling 378 of the 658 surgeries performed in the U.S.
Calf augmentations with solid silicone implants or silicone gel implants is a plastic surgery procedure performed to increase the size and shape of the calves to improve the aesthetic look of “chicken legs”. Patients seek calf implants to tone and add definition to the lower legs when it cannot be achieved with routine exercise, or to correct an imbalance of the muscular structure as a result of a physical or birth defect.
When performed by a skilled and board-certified plastic surgeon, a calf augmentation with implants is typically regarded as a safe, effective surgical procedure that produces highly satisfying results. If you’re considering undergoing this type of plastic surgery, check out the information below to learn more about what you can expect.
Who’s an Ideal Candidate?
Candidates who are considered ideal for calf augmentation surgeries are men and women in general good health who wish to improve the look of their lower legs either for restorative or cosmetic reasons. They are also realistic about the procedure’s outcome and understand the risks involved and possible complications of the surgery.
Prior to your Procedure
Your plastic surgeon should have a consultation with you to discuss your options, go over costs of the surgery and of the calf implants, and any potential alternatives to be considered, such as calf augmentation with fat grafting (autologous fat transfer), or muscle training for the lower body or regular exercise.
You’ll also discuss options for calf augmentation using implants to help determine which technique is best for you to achieve the results you desire. You’ll be expected to understand the risks that are involved that can include capsular contracture, nerve damage, and implant migration. But even though there are risks, calf augmentation with implant surgeries are considered to be very safe with complications a rarity. Together with your surgeon, you’ll decide on:
- Implant material — silicone gel or firm, solid silicone implants
- Implant size
- Implant location (in the medial calves, or medial and lateral calves)
- Implant placement (under the gastrocnemius muscle or between the fascia tissue and gastrocnemius muscle)
- Incision location
Preparing for Calf Augmentation
If you’ve approved and scheduled for calf augmentation with implant surgery with a board-certified plastic surgeon, you’ll receive instructions to help you prepare for your procedure. Your instructions will and can include:
- Taking various health tests or a pregnancy test if you’re a woman who could be expecting
- Refraining from smoking at least two weeks before surgery, and at least two weeks following your surgery
- Suspending the taking of certain types of herbal medications (if applicable), and certain anti-inflammatory meds like aspirin or ibuprofen to minimize any chances of excessive bleeding, which could happen before or after surgery
- Arranging for someone to bring them home from the surgical center, and for care for a period of 24 hours after surgery
The Procedure
Calf augmentation surgery is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia of local anesthesia. The doctor will make a small incision behind the knee in most cases, and insert the implant into a pocket between the fascia and muscle, or under the gastrocnemius muscle. After the incision site is stitched up and closed, the patient is given a compression garment to wear following surgery for the first week or so and is sent home to start their recovery process.
Recovery from Calf Augmentation
It takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks to recover from calf augmentation surgery. Here’s what your process will be like as you heal and return to normal activities:
- Your first 24 hours: you will need someone to help you immediately after your surgery for at least a day. That includes driving you home from your procedure and staying with you at home, helping you get to and from the bathroom, etc. during this time, you’ll need to keep your legs elevated and rest as much as possible to reduce swelling, pain, and bleeding.
After about 48 hours into your recovery, you can remove bandages and dressings. You should be able to shower and walk, although you should take care that you don’t engage in any excessive movements or rigorous physical activity. You may find that walking is still a little uncomfortable due to stiffness in the legs. This is due to tight skin and adjusting to the implants. - Two to four weeks into recovery: you should start to notice less bruising and swelling, and begin to feel your skin loosen up and adjust to the implants. You should still avoid rigorous activity and excessive movement as much as you can to enable your body to continue adjusting to the new calf implants.
- Four to six weeks into recovery: by this time, you should begin to feel significantly more comfortable with your implants. Your surgeon will more than likely give you an all-clear to resume most of your regular activities, return to work, the gym, and all the things that made up your daily lifestyle.
If you engage in more strenuous activities like heavy weight lifting, long-distance running or sprinting, your doctor may prohibit these activities for at least a couple of months after your surgery to ensure that you’ve completely healed.
Deciding on Calf Augmentation
Consider your options before making your decision to undergo calf augmentation by scheduling a consultation with your board-certified plastic surgeon, who can discuss everything that you might realistically expect from the surgery.
Top plastic surgeon Dr. Kevin Tehrani values reaching the highest levels of achievement in reconstructive and plastic surgery. Your comprehensive consultation with him will be exceedingly informative, clear, and balanced, with plenty of opportunity to discuss all of your concerns. Check out Aristocrat’s before and after gallery on calf augmentation surgery to get an idea of what you can expect. Call us today to set up your consultation!