Calf augmentation is a simple, minimally invasive surgical procedure, which consists of increasing the muscular area of the calves that are located in the legs, this surgery consists of molding and increasing the volume in the area improving its appearance.
What does calf augmentation consist of?
It is a simple procedure, where the specialist makes a small incision of approximately 4 or 5 centimeters in length, very close to where the posterior crease of the knee is located.
This incision is to create the pocket where the implant goes, and is created between the calf muscle and the membrane that covers the muscle called aponeurosis.
How long does the procedure last?
It usually lasts between 1 or 2 hours approximately, but in case the patient decides to undergo any other intervention, the operation could take a little longer.
Is the anesthesia general or local?
Most of the time general anesthesia is used, only in a few cases local anesthesia is used.
Post-operative care.
- Avoid wearing sun.
- He only has to remain hospitalized for 36 hours after the operation.
- Elastic or compression stockings should be worn for the first 3 weeks,
- Do not hit your knee.
- Take short walks.
- Total rest of 48hrs
At what age can I have a calf augmentation?
Calf augmentation can be performed once you turn 18 years old, regardless of whether you are a girl or a boy, it is not like other interventions where girls can have it done once they reach a specific age and boys another.
Are the calves toned when this procedure is performed?
By placing the implant, it is only possible to increase the volume and contour of the calves, visibly improving their appearance, but it is not possible to tone the area, but only to make them look bigger.
Should implants always be placed in both legs?
This varies depending on the needs of each patient and the volume that the patient desires, there are cases where the implant is only placed in one leg and thus both are symmetrical. When you go to the consultation with your surgeon he will explain what is best for you to increase your calves.
What is the recovery time after calf augmentation?
The full recovery time after calf augmentation is 3 months, after that time or a little sooner, you will be able to see the final results, once the swelling has gone down completely.
How long do calf implants last?
This type of implant has an estimated life time of about 10 years but this will depend on whether the implant begins to bother after a few years, so it is important that patients come to the revision controls, to be able to detect in time when the implant needs to be replaced.
Risks of calf augmentation.
- Change in the sensitivity of the skin of the legs.
- Scar alteration
- The implant can be displaced
- Muscle contracture may occur.
- Infection
Alternatives to calf augmentation with implants.
Some people are afraid or simply do not want to undergo surgery, for those people it is advisable to do exercises, in case they suffer from muscle atrophy, calf augmentation can be performed with fat or lipofilling which consists of using the unwanted fat from the part of your body that you no longer want and then inject it into the calves.
This procedure is simple and can be performed using local anesthesia and it is advisable to stay overnight in the clinic to be under supervision. Another way to augment the calves without surgery is with hyaluronic acid injections, it is not necessary for the patient to stay in the clinic and it is performed under local anesthesia.
Recommendations to consider when you want to undergo plastic surgery
Our physical appearance is something that matters a lot to us, that is why sometimes we resort to surgery to improve what we are self-conscious about, but sometimes for the rush or for the cheapest, we perform these interventions with people who are not trained in the right way to enhance the intervention.
That is why when you want to have a cosmetic surgery or simply want a calf augmentation, you must make a very thorough investigation and most important of all make sure that it belongs to the Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery and besides that, be sure to see the comments and results of previous patients. The most common mistake people make when they want to have surgery to correct a small imperfection that makes them uncomfortable is not making sure that the specialist has good references or comments from other patients.