CALF IMPLANT SURGERY

During the consultation, the surgeon will evaluate your overall health as well as do an overall assessment of the legs.  Your expectations will be discussed and the surgeon will make it clear what you can and cannot accomplish with calf implants.  Calf implants are usually indicated in patients with thin legs due to a disease, injury, accident or genetics.  It is also suitable for people who despite doing lots of exercise, are unable to increase the volume of their calves to their satisfaction.  There are several types of calf implants available and you will discuss with the surgeon and decide together which will be best for your situation.

The second step is to have a medical examination to determine your health status.  These examinations include lab work and a preoperative cardiac evaluation.  The third step is the surgeon will take pictures to evaluate the areas of concern and further will advise on the procedures recommended, details about those procedures including incisions and where they will be located, risks of surgery, pre-operative and post-operative care, as well as recovery time.  Following this discussion, we will schedule a surgery date and you will be given the necessary information to prepare.

Typically this surgery can be performed on outpatient basis, that is, you may complete your surgery in the morning and be discharged in the afternoon.  Alternatively, if you prefer, you may choose to spend one night in the hospital.  The next day you can start to walk, using compression stockings to help with any inflammation, swelling or edema.  At first, you may only walk with no additional exercise for the first 2 to 4 weeks.  Little by little you may increase the mobility of the legs over the next several weeks based on the advice of your surgeon.  After your surgeon gives their approval, you may return to your normal exercise routine.  We will continue to monitor your progress throughout this time to keep track of your recovery.

Immediately after your surgery, you will notice the increase and improvement in the shape of your calf.  However, it is important to remember there will be additional volume which is due to swelling.  This swelling will decrease over the first three weeks following surgery.  You will see your final result between 3 and 4 months after surgery. By eating a healthy diet and maintaining regular exercise, you will retain the new shape permanently.

In most cases, we will use light sedation in conjunction with an epidural block.  However, in some cases general anesthesia may be indicated due to previously medical conditions.  The actual surgery time is between 1 to 2 hours. But we have to take into account the time needed for all preparations prior to surgery, which is about one hour, as well as about 1 to 2 hrs in the recovery room before you are transferred to your private room.  You may complete this surgery as an outpatient procedure if approved by your surgeon or you will stay in the hospital one night and the surgeon will do a follow up with you before leaving the hospital.  In addition, your next follow up appointment will be scheduled.

The incisions for this surgery are placed in the crease of the leg behind the knee.  The scar will be visible at first and will gradually fade over a 4-6 month time frame.  The type of scar is also reflected by the experience of the surgeon performing the procedure.  However, just as important is the daily wound care which you will be given precise direction in after your surgery.  It is advisable to avoid exposure to sun for at least a couple of months as well as using some additional healing products.  After several months, the scars should be virtually invisible.

Common risk factors are patients over 40 years, prolonged surgery, oral contraceptive use, smoking and obesity. Another risk factor with this surgery is if you have pre-existing varicose veins in your legs.  It is very important to assess your health condition in advance and to analyze it with your doctor.  The most common risks are seroma, hematoma and irregular positioning of the implant.  Other risks that are rare include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.