AM I A CANDIDATE FOR CALF IMPLANTS?

If you are a man whose aesthetic goals include enhancing or augmenting the size and shape of your calves and exercise has failed to do so, you may be a candidate for calf implants. Alternatively, if you suffer from a muscle deficiency that prevents your calves from developing normally, this procedure may be your solution.

If you think that calf implants are a viable option for you, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and treatment options. Ideal candidates are physically healthy, non-smokers, and without medical conditions that may impede the healing process.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION

When you schedule a consultation with the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, you will meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon who will review your medical history, perform an evaluation, and talk with you about your aesthetic goals. If your surgeon determines that calf implants are the right course of treatment for you, you and your plastic surgeon will discuss all aspects of the process, including recovery, cost, and potential risks associated with the procedure. If you have any questions regarding any of these points, the consultation is the best time to ask.

HOW CALF IMPLANTS ARE PERFORMED

When you make the decision to undergo calf implant surgery, your plastic surgeon will take measurements of your legs and determine the right size implants for you. The day of surgery, a general anesthetic will be administered to ensure comfort during the procedure.

Incisions are made at the back of the knee and through the connective tissue that covers the calf muscle. The implant is inserted, and the incision is closed with sutures. Then the process is repeated for the other leg.

Calf implants are customized to each patient’s body and typically made of silicone. Fat grafting is not a viable alternative to calf implants

RECOVERY AFTER CALF IMPLANTS

Swelling and bruising at the incision sites and in the lower legs are normal after calf implant surgery. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication and give you post-surgical care instructions. In some cases, it may be necessary to place a drain at the incision sites to remove excess fluid.

You may experience some stiffness in the legs for the first week after calf implant surgery. By the second to third week, you should be walking normally, but more rigorous activity (like running, biking, or exercising) should be avoided until your plastic surgeon clears you to return to your normal level of activity, typically between one to two months after calf implant surgery.

Calf implants are permanent, and the results will be apparent once swelling and bruising subside. The incision sites are concealed behind the knee to hide any scarring.

POTENTIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CALF IMPLANTS

Complications from calf implant surgery are infrequent, but there are always potential risks associated with any surgical procedure. The risks associated with calf implants may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Hematoma (blood clot)
• Changes in skin sensation
• Nerve damage
• Implant migration

The Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago takes every precaution to mitigate these risks whenever possible by employing the safest and most innovative techniques. You can further minimize risk by following all instructions given by your plastic surgeon.

WHAT DOES CALF IMPLANT SURGERY COST?

It is difficult to ascertain an average for calf augmentation because costs vary according to the type, size, and shape of the implants. The cost will further fluctuate according to your specific location, the surgeon performing the procedure, and the surgical center at which the procedure is performed.

Be sure to discuss all associated costs with your plastic surgeon during your consultation and ask about payment options. Health insurance providers rarely cover the cost of calf implant surgery because it is considered a cosmetic procedure.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

If you are a man who is unhappy with the size or shape of his calves, or if your lower legs are disproportionate to your thighs and upper legs, calf implants may be a solution for you. Call the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago to schedule a consultation and speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the process, and we never perform any procedure unless we are certain that it is the best course of treatment for you.

All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.