Do you feel self-conscious about the appearance of your calves? If so, calf augmentation at Christopher Tiner M.D. Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena, CA may be right for you. Today, we’re taking a closer look at this procedure, including what it is, how long the results last, and who qualifies for this procedure. Read on to discover everything you need to know about this life-changing procedure.
What Is Calf Augmentation?
Calf augmentation is a procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the calves. Sometimes, it is sought by bodybuilders who feel the need to gain a leg up on their competition. Other times, it is sought by individuals who are suffering from a physical disability or injury. However, you don’t have to be injured, disabled, or a bodybuilder to benefit from this procedure.
How Long Do the Results of This Procedure Last?
Typically, you can expect the results of this procedure to last for 10 to 15 years. However, individual results vary. Note, unlike silicone implants for breast augmentation, you will not need to schedule MRIs every two to three years following your calf augmentation.
How Should I Prepare for This Procedure?
There are several very important preparation steps you must take before your scheduled procedure. It is essential that you adhere to all preparation guidelines to ensure your procedure goes smoothly and set yourself up for a smooth recovery. Here is a brief summary of some of the most important preparation steps you must take prior to your operation.
Stop Smoking
The ideal candidate for this procedure is a non-smoker who wants to increase the size of his or her lower legs. This is because you must be willing and able to go several days without nicotine prior to your operation. To be clear, you should not smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigarillos, or cigars in the days leading up to your calf implants.
Also, you must refrain from using any other product that contains nicotine, including such smoking cessation tools as nicotine gum and nicotine patches. Chewing tobacco should also be avoided for several days prior to your procedure. It is crucial that you do not consume nicotine for several days before your operation because it constricts your blood vessels, elevating your blood pressure and slowing your recovery.
Stop Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol consumption, like nicotine consumption, can elevate your blood pressure. Specifically, alcohol increases blood pressure when it is consumed in high quantities. However, you may not even drink alcohol in moderation before you receive calf implants. Besides keeping your blood pressure normal, it is important to not drink alcohol in the days leading up to your augmentation because alcohol consumption leads to water and nutrient loss.
What Can I Expect During the Recovery Process?
Everyone’s recovery experience is unique, but you can feel confident that you will only need to take a week or two off from work to recover from this procedure. Note, it is highly advisable to spend a few days staying off of your feet as much as possible. Also, you should note that the more physically intense your job is, the more time you will need to take off from work. Here are some ways you can speed up your recovery.
Drink Lots of Water
If you want to avoid prolonging your recovery period, you need to drink lots of water. However, you should note that you don’t have to drink water exclusively. Contrary to popular belief, coffee and tea count as hydrating fluids because they do not contain enough caffeine to produce enough of a diuretic effect to dehydrate you. However, you should consider your caffeine content carefully if coffee or tea will be your go-to drink.
As a general rule of thumb, you should consume no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This guideline is primarily for your heart health. Note, this daily limit includes caffeine from all sources, including chocolate, beverages, and pain medication.
Sleep on Your Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach is also good for your recovery. Note, it is strongly recommended to sleep for at least 7.5 hours nightly. This is because it takes 90 minutes to cycle through all of the phases of the sleep cycle, and most of your body’s healing occurs during the final stage of the sleep cycle. Sleeping for 7.5 hours per night ensures that you get through at least five full sleep cycles.
However, it is ideal if you can sleep for nine consecutive hours every night. This ensures that you are getting through six full sleep cycles. Now, you should keep in mind that you will benefit the most from sleeping if you can sleep without waking up. If you find that you are struggling to sleep through the night due to needing to use the restroom at night, you may benefit from adding a little more sodium to your diet.
Wear Compression Stockings
Wearing compression stockings will also help you recover from your procedure as quickly as possible. Compression stockings are so beneficial because they support circulation in the area. The stronger your circulatory system is, the more healing nutrients will flow through the area. Be advised, you may need to wear your compression stockings for a week or two post-op depending on how quickly you are healing.
Also, you should be aware that you need to be sufficiently nourished to get the most out of wearing your compression stockings. Specifically, you need to make sure that your skin can produce collagen efficiently. For your skin to produce collagen as efficiently as possible, you need to make sure you have all of the building blocks you need to produce collagen.
Eat Nutritious Foods
The two most important nutrients you need to eat post-op are vitamin C and protein.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
You need to come in for an initial consultation to determine whether you are a good candidate for this procedure. As a general rule of thumb, you will be considered a good candidate for this procedure if you are in fairly good health and concerned about the appearance of your lower legs. However, you must understand the scope of this procedure. It will only improve the appearance of the calf area.
If you are concerned about the appearance of your lower and upper legs, you may need a thigh lift or liposuction in addition to your calf implant procedure to achieve your desired look. During your initial consultation, we will review all of your aesthetic goals to ensure this procedure can help you achieve your desired look. We will also advise you on whether you will need additional procedures besides calf implants to achieve your desired aesthetic.
Discover Today How You Can Achieve the Legs of Your Dreams
Whether you’re a bodybuilder looking for a leg up on your competition or you just want bigger calves, calf augmentation can help you achieve the lower legs of your dreams. This procedure involves implanting silicone into the lower legs to enhance their appearance, and you can expect the results to last for 10 to 15 years. Contact us today at Christopher Tiner M.D. Cosmetic Surgery in Pasadena, CA to schedule an appointment and find out if you qualify.
