A calf implant can create a shapely, toned lower leg and sculpt a muscular and more prominent form. Some patients get calf implants for cosmetic reasons, such as making thin legs look proportionally bigger. Others may need it for medical reasons such as a damaged nerve or muscle or conditions like spina bifida, club foot and polio.
For calf implant procedures, surgeons use FDA-approved silicone made of silicone gel or a solid silicone implant. The silicone is placed either under the fascia or within the muscles during the process. Subfascial implants need less recovery as the procedure is less invasive. Recovery is less painful; however, implant migration is more common. Submuscular implants take longer to heal and recovery is often painful. This method ensures better, more secure placement and results in a more natural shape.
The procedure usually lasts one to one and a half hours. Patients can go home within the same day. The surgery requires general anesthetic.
The surgeon will make a small incision at the back of the leg where the implant will be inserted. Two implants are necessary to create a natural outline and shape in some cases. Usually, implants will have to be inserted into both legs for better symmetry and proportion. Before stitching up the incision, surgeons may place a drainage tube into the site to prevent fluid build-up. They remove the drains a few days later at a follow-up appointment.
Patients may feel soreness, swelling and bruising for the next couple of days. They need to wear compression bandages for the next two weeks to aid recovery. Patients need to take a few days off work to recover and avoid strenuous activity or being on their feet for too long.
While calf implants provide long-term results, patients may have to replace their silicone implants after a few years.
Another option that can give similar results to a silicone implant is fat grafting. During this procedure, surgeons harvest tissues from other body parts, such as the thigh. They then transfer these to the calf to shape and form a contoured leg. Fat grafting is less invasive than inserting an implant and requires less anesthetic. In some instances, surgeons use both an implant and fat transfer for more effective and natural results.
