There are many reasons for getting calf implants, both genetic and cosmetic. Primarily, they are used in a self-esteem enhancing cosmetic manner, whereby, even after exercise, sometimes people still aren't able to achieve the leg development they desire. This is not unusual in today's society, especially with the demands placed on individuals with work, friends and family. Calf implants are usually only performed by a small, select group of plastic and cosmetic surgeons who have performed thousands of these procedures and have the extensive experience required in forming (sculpting) and placing the solid silicone implants that are used in the medical procedure—assuring that they don't shift from their original positions or develop infection, two areas where serious medical problems could occur after surgery. PROCEDURE AND RECOVERY: Calf implants enhance the shape and size of the calf muscles by placing soft, solid silicone implants in pockets overlying the existing gastrocnemius muscles. The calf muscle is a two-headed muscle (one head on the upper inside of the leg and the other on the upper outside of the leg) on the back of the leg that attaches on each side of the femoral bone just above the knee and extends down the leg ending as the Achilles tendon at the heel. These implants which may be one to each leg or two depending on the desired effect are placed through small incisions in the creases behind the knee. A person may desire to have only the inner head of the muscle enlarged, the outer head, or both. The result is that the existing musculature is made to appear larger and more defined. The legs are measured at a pre-operative office visit and the appropriately sized implants are ordered and prepared sterile. On the day of surgery the patient is placed under general anesthesia and turned onto the stomach on the operating room table. An incision is made in the fascia of the gastroc muscle. The fascia is a fibrous covering of the muscle itself. A special instrument is used to create a pocket between this fascia and the underlying muscle. This pocket is made just big enough for the implant to fit into securely. During the dissection meticulous attention is made to control any bleeding which is usually very minimal. The implant is then gently inserted into the pocket and the same technique is used to insert the second implant into the same leg. The leg is examined for effect and if the result appears good then the incision in the fascia is closed with stitches. The person is returned to a face-up position and is taken to Recovery. The Recovery period can be divided into short term surgical recovery and long term cosmetic recovery. [Broken External Image]:http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/3907/calfimplant.jpg source :Calf Implants and Calf Augmentation Surgery
