DEFINITION
The calf or calf area has great aesthetic importance, so a well-defined calf is signs of a well-cared, muscular leg and of having a good state of health. In both men and women, it acquires great social relevance when wearing heels, suits, shorts, or sportswear. The lack of development of the same, can generate a complex in the patient, which leads him to always wear long pants to avoid seeing this area.
CANDIDATES
Anyone who is medically healthy and who, due to their genetics or lack of exercise, does not have this part of their anatomy very developed. There are even people who, despite working in the gym, cannot develop their muscles.
For these patients, calf augmentation is suitable, and it can be performed, especially in very thin patients, with silicone prostheses, or with fatty tissue in case the patient has fat deposits.
PROCESS
- Silicone prosthesis: It is a silicone prosthesis like those used for breast augmentation, but with an elongated teardrop shape, which has different sizes to adapt to the length of the patient’s leg and the width of its calf. This implant is introduced on the belly of the long head of the calf through an incision of about 4-5 cm that is hidden in the posterior area of the knee. The implant is placed over the muscle, so it is not a particularly painful surgery.
- Fat tissue: In patients who have a fatty deposit and a sufficient amount can be obtained (they are usually thin patients), a calf can be recreated with said tissue and given the desired shape without the use of silicone implants. It requires a relative rest after the intervention so that the fatty tissue catches on the infiltrated site.
- Hybrid technique: silicone implants are used, but the covering tissue is thickened with fatty tissue to create a more natural appearance and less palpability of the implant.
PROFESSIONALS
The realization of this type of intervention must be performed by a plastic surgeon with experience in body contouring surgery. Dr. Ospina has extensive training in his native Colombia in this type of intervention, where it is performed very regularly, which allows him to obtain results that are above average.
This type of intervention, when combined, is long and takes about six hours in the operating room, therefore it requires significant physical effort and maintaining a high level of concentration for several hours. This is why Dr. Ospina physically trains to be in shape and to be able to carry out this surgery. He is also using new technologies which reduce fatigue and allow to further improve its results.
FACILITIES
This type of intervention must be performed in a hospital that meets all health requirements and has an intensive care unit. Cosmetic surgery is a very regulated surgery with fewer complications, but in case they appear, it is essential to have the support of a good hospital. Hence, low-cost surgeries try to save money on this and are performed in small clinics where these safety conditions are not covered.
Dr. Ospina is fully aware of this and that is why he performs all his surgeries in the operating rooms of Hospitals San Roque because it provides that extra security that he wants for his patients.
POSTOPERATIVE
The patient must rest for about two weeks, although moving continuously to avoid thrombosis. The surgery is not painful and the minor discomfort it generates is easily controlled with painkillers. Scars are barely visible after a few months, so patients can quickly wear short garments.
CARE
In the case of implants, compression stockings should be used for the first months so that the implant is placed in the desired position and to avoid displacement. The stitches are removed after two weeks and we start with pressotherapy to take care of the scar.
In the case of fatty tissue, compression is avoided, and only light compression cuffs are used for the first few weeks. After the first days, lymphatic drainage massages and pressotherapy begin.
COMPLICATIONS
Like any silicone implant, it could move or contracture, although it is quite rare with current techniques and quality of the implants we use today.
Fat tissue can decrease up to 30% in the first days, so the procedure may need to be repeated a second time.
