Calf augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the calves, enlarge them, and to make them more proportional in size and shape to the rest of the lower extremity and body.

In this procedure calf implants of a variety of shapes, sizes, and contours, are inserted over the existing calf muscles - Gastrocnemius and Soleus Muscles - to achieve fuller and shapelier calves.

The popularity of calf augmentation among both men and women has soared in recent years as people are becoming more aware of the existence of this cosmetic surgery procedure.

Why people get calf implants?

Men and women have different reasons for wanting to have their calves augmented. Men who work out and have a well-built upper body, often are ashamed of their "chicken legs" or "bow legs." They are often frustrated by not being able to build-up their lower body and calves in proportion to their upper body. They also want to show off their "pumped" body in tank tops but feel uneasy about wearing shorts.

On the other hand, there are those who seek calf augmentation as a means of restoring calves that have lost volume as a result of congenital or physical defects such as Polio, Spina Bifida, and Club Feet.

The reason women get calf augmentation is to get curvaceous and sexy legs. This becomes more of an issue when they wear high heels, because the calves become most noticeable then.

Aesthetic Goals of Calf Augmentation?
Most people want their calves to look natural, full, and curvaceous. In many men, the overwhelming emphasis is to augment the size and bulk of the calves in order to make them look as if you have worked out. Looking at the legs from the front, the medial (inner) belly of the Gastrocnemius muscle needs to look full-bodied and strong.

Looking from the side, the Lateral (outer) belly of the Gastrocnemius muscle is mostly visible, and its augmentation contributes to forming the curve and flow of the leg. In women, this feature is usually more important, but the ultimate goal is to achieve a natural balance.

Who is not a good candidate for calf augmentation?
Those with unrealistic expectations, severe medical problems, chronic skin infection of legs, and poor circulation or chronic swelling of the lower extremities are not good candidates for calf augmentation.

During your consultation the plastic surgeon will review your treatment options for calf implants, including pros and cons of each procedure, potential risks and complications, recovery course, pre and post operative instructions, and esthetic outcomes. There are also typically many before-and-after pictures and high resolution images of calf implants available in the office during a consultation.

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