Calf Implant Surgery

As a cosmetic procedure, calf augmentation enhances the contour and size of the lower leg.

As a reconstructive procedure, calf augmentation is used to correct deformities from injury or nerve diseases, such as polio, spina bifida, or clubfoot that result in muscle atrophy.

• Short -Term (Surgical Recovery) - Lasts approximately 1-2 weeks after surgery
  
  
  • Days 1-2: The first 1-2 days are spent in bed with the legs elevated most of the time to reduce swelling and discomfort. Exceptions to bed rest are getting up to use the bathroom and walking short distances.
    
    
  • Days 3-7: After two days the dressings are removed and a more vigorous routine of walking begins. Short, daily showers are allowed.
    
    
  • Days 8-14: After the first week, walking greater distances becomes more comfortable. The walking may be a little stiff-legged.
    

• Long-Term (Cosmetic Recovery) - Starts 2-3 weeks after surgery
  
  
  • Weeks 2-3: Walking is more normal and the skin begins to stretch and lose its shiny appearance.
    
    
  • Weeks 3-4: Any bruising begins to disappear.
    
    
  • Weeks 4-8: Without complications, full, unrestricted activities can begin.

Longevity of Results:

Calf implants are not guaranteed to last a lifetime. Future surgery may be required to replace one or both implants.

Possible Complications:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Nerve and/or muscle damage
• Implant shifting or displacement
• Scarring
• Asymmetry
• Compartment Syndrome
• Capsular contracture
• Implant extrusion

_Sources:

_{Aiache AE . Calf Implantation, New and Old Principles. In Habal MB, Himel HN, Lineaweaver WC, Colon GA, Parsons RW, Woods Je (eds): Key Issues in Plastic Cosmetic Surgery. Basel, Switzerland: Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers, 1999.}

_{Dini M; Innocenti A; Lorenzetti P. Aesthetic calf augmentation with silicone implants. Aesthetic Plast Surg 2002; 26(6):490-2.}

_{Felício Y. Calfplasty. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2000; 24(2):141-7.}

_{Gerber D, Kuechel MC. 100 Questions and Answers About Plastic Surgery. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, Inc, 2005.}

_{Niechajev I. Calf augmentation and restoration. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005; 116(1):295-305.}

_{The American Society of Plastic Surgeons 2010 Report of the 2009 Statistics National Clearinghouse of Plastic Surgery Statistics. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Documents/Media/statistics/2009-US-cosmeticreconstructiveplasticsurgeryminimally-invasive-statistics.pdf.}