Some areas of the body tend to lack muscle definition, while others are just not very responsive to growing larger through exercise. The calves are one area of the body that often meet both criteria, making them a good target for calf augmentation through implants.
The calf augmentation procedure is popular with both men and women, and can be performed for either cosmetic or reconstructive reasons. The implants may be placed either above or below the muscle, depending upon the desires of the patient and the recommendation of the plastic surgeon.
If you are considering undergoing calf augmentation, or already have the procedure scheduled, you’ll need some solid information about how you can expect your recovery to unfold.
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General Notes
Calf augmentation is a type of cosmetic procedure involving a significant recovery process, although many types of cosmetic surgery involve a much longer recovery period. This procedure requires a downtime of at least one week. During your initial consultation, your plastic surgeon will be explaining every step of the procedure and provide you with an estimated recovery time.
Week One
You will need to wear compression garments for the first few days after your calf augmentation procedure to help minimize swelling and promote healing.
As you’d expect, you’ll need to stay off your feet as much as possible for a few days.
Most patients are able to remove their compression garments within the first week after their procedure. It is normal to experience some degree of minor pain and soreness during the first phase of your recovery. You should be able to easily manage your discomfort using over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed pain medication, which you should take according to instructions.
Near the end of this initial one-week recovery period, you should be able to begin moving and walking around normally. Most patients are also able to return to work at this time.
Take showers instead of baths for the first few days after your surgery. Once this initial week has passed, you should find that post-procedure bruising, swelling, and numbness will begin dissipating fairly rapidly.
It is normal to experience some fluid drainage from your incisions. This drainage is something that is healthy and enhances your healing, while decreasing your recovery time. In anticipation of this drainage, your plastic surgeon may have placed drainage tubes to remove any excess fluids.
The Next Few Weeks
Over the course of the next few weeks, your swelling should noticeably subside. As it does so, the results of your calf augmentation will become more evident.
You’ll be happy to know that you can begin increasing your physical activity level in two or three weeks after your calf augmentation. The thing you want to avoid is vigorous physical activity and exercise for the first month or two after your surgery.
Don’t stress out if you notice that the skin around your calves is somewhat loose for the first few weeks. In time, it will regain its firmness, returning to normal within six months at most.
