Calf Augmentation – Implants and Injections

Dr. F. Ouakil, aesthetic surgeon in Paris. Information, prices, photos, blog on calf surgery, calf implants, augmentation through fat injection or Macrolane injection without surgery.

Objective: to achieve harmonious legs in relation to the thighs. Dr. Ouakil is a specialist trained by the best Brazilian and French aesthetic surgeons, with over 20 years of experience.

Candidates for Calf Implant Placement

There are two main scenarios:

• Imbalance between well-shaped thighs and overly thin legs (chicken leg), often seen in women who have not achieved results through weight training.
• Aesthetic pursuit of bodybuilding type to present a powerful and tapered leg.
• Sequelae from diseases such as poliomyelitis, justifying unilateral implant placement.

Possible Actions to Reshape the Calves

Calf muscles are very difficult to develop naturally, even with intense weight training. The effective solution is the placement of cohesive silicone prostheses.

One or two implants can be placed per calf. The calf muscles are the "gastrocnemius" (medial and lateral), and double implantation is most often performed in two stages to avoid risks of vascular and nerve compression. Generally, the medial gastrocnemius is addressed first.

Alternatives: fat injections (lipofilling) or hyaluronic acid injections (Macrolane), which are absorbed in about two years.

Implant Placement Procedure

The placement is performed:

• through a 4 cm incision at the back of the knee, in the popliteal fold,
• by detaching under the muscle envelopes (solid aponeurosis).

The implant is elongated, oval, or asymmetric (teardrop), available in several sizes depending on the case.

Anesthesia and Hospitalization

The procedure is performed under general or epidural anesthesia. Hospitalization lasts from 12 to 24 hours.

Duration of the Procedure

Approximately one hour.

Expected Results

Patients with overly thin calves often feel self-conscious. This procedure provides great satisfaction due to the harmony created between thighs and legs. The result can be optimized by complementary lipofilling or liposuction.

Postoperative Care and Complications

They are generally straightforward:

• standing and walking from the first day with anti-phlebitis prevention,
• driving prohibited for 10 days,
• sports prohibited for 2 months,
• dissolvable stitches most often.

The main risk is secondary displacement of the implant, which may require surgical revision.

In Conclusion

A simple and effective procedure, highly recommended for individuals suffering from a complex related to the thinness of the calves. The results are generally in line with expectations.