These explanations are intended to improve your understanding of the calf implant procedure. Please read them carefully and understand that this list includes many, but not all of the different outcomes from surgery. Please feel free to ask Dr. Eppley any further questions regarding your surgery.
ALTERNATIVES
The alternative to implants for calf augmentation are strenuous exercise/weight training (non-surgical) and fat injections. (surgical)Fat injections are the most commonly used alternative augmentation technique.
GOALS
The goal of calf implants is to increase the size and shape of the gastrocnemius muscle by creating the appearance of increased muscle mass by placing an implant on top of the muscle under the fascia. This could be done for either the inner half of the calf muscle (medial belly of the gastrocnemius muscle), the outer half of the calf muscle (lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle) or both.
LIMITATIONS
The limitations to calf augmentation is the tightness of the surrounding skin of the calfs and how much the skin can stretch. This ultimately determines the size of implants that can be placed and whether one or two implants are placed per leg.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
Expected outcomes include the following: temporary swelling and possible bruising of the calfs, a temporary firmness/hardness of the calfs, mild to moderate discomfort of the calfs and temporary redness of the behind the knee incision line/scar. It will take four to six weeks before the final shape and appearance of the calfs can be completely appreciated.
RISKS
Complications may include bleeding, infection, dehiscence of the incisional closure (partial or complete separation), prominent or noticeable knee scars, calf implant asymmetry, and too big or too small of a calf size increase result.
ADDITIONAL SURGERY
How the implanted site heals and the occurrence of complications can influence the final shape and appearance of the calfs. Should complications or the desire to enhance the result further by additional surgery be needed, this will generate additional costs.