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Botox for Slim Legs?

asked 2 years ago by dida in California
Latest answer by David Finkle, MD
Question viewed 8,400 times
Tags: calves, legs

How effective is Botox used to treat big leg calves and how many units are needed?

14 answers to Botox for Slim Legs?

Botox to slim calves not a good idea

Hi Dida, This is one of the most unique questions we have ever received about Botox use. The panel has weighed in and it seems like we are all in agreement. This would not be a good idea. This area is not FDA approved, would require a tremendous amount of product and may very well not lead to your desired outcome. We would try and find a different pair of shows instead, one that would ut less emphasis on the claves. Good luck.

Harold J. Kaplan, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Botox not to be used on legs

Botox will not make your calves smaller, it is an off label use, will probably make you unable to walk and would require a huge amount of Botox that would be cost prohibitive.

David Finkle, MD
Omaha Plastic Surgeon

Botox is not for legs

Botox is not for legs. Please do not let anyone inject your legs with Botox. This would be a very bad idea. It would negatively affect your function and would also be cost prohibitive since it would require a very large quantity of Botox.

David Shafer, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.ShaferPlasticSurgery.com

You're Kidding Right?

Do you or anyone you know really want to paralyze the gastroc muscles of your legs? I'm sorry but this is one of the more outlandish things I've heard. The calf gastroc muscle is the power muscle for foot plantar flexion. Although this could be carried out by the soleus muscle if the gastroc isn't available the power would be significantly less. Large calf muscles come from moving heavy weight, either in the gym on the body. The muscle will slim if more fast motion and less weight is... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Underground Botox

Dida, Any practitioner that is recommending Botox to shrink the calf muscles is using the material in an off label indication. It is effective for narrowing the jaw, but the muscles here are much smaller than the calf muscles. The amount of Botox that would be necessary to shrink the calves would be toxic.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Not indicated

Botox would not be a good choice for large calves. I would recommend diet & exercise. Despite this recommendation, for many, this doesn't work. You may also consider liposuction. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Another Voice

If you need another voice to decry this treatment here it is. I agree fully with my colleagues who have answered this question, that the risks outweigh the benefits. To achieve its effects, the physician administering the Botox might be reaching toxic levels. The muscle to achieve this is a strong muscle and, bilaterally, would require high dosages. Then once muscle weakness is achieved, the cosmetic improvement would have to be balanced with the functional impairment. Not a fair... more

Arnold R. Oppenheim, MD
Virginia Beach Dermatologist

Desperate doctors preying on desperate patients.

Botox has a lot of great an novel uses, but this one just doesn't satisfy the risk-benefit equation. I know that there are all kinds of websites and medical practices peddling the idea of calf reduction with Botox, but that doesn't make it a good idea. In order to achieve any meaningful reduction in calf size (medial head of the gastrocnemius, anyway) the dose of Botox really starts to get into the higher range. In addition, frequent applications of the toxin are required to induce atrophy.... more

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

This is not reasonable

The cost of Botox for this would be prohibitive and would need repeating every 4 months forever. It also carries risks of leg weakness and functional compromise. Just not sensible...

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Botox for slim legs

Not a good idea. I agree with the other posters on this forum. Doses required would be risky and functionally compromise your ability to walk/run. Not worth it.

Bryan K. Chen, MD
San Diego Dermatologist

Botox for large calf muscles

This would likely require large doses and could potentially result in functional weakness. The results would be temporary. My experience with this technique is currently limited at this time, and therefore, I am not an advocate of this technique.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Botox to atrophy calf muscles is a very bad idea

Dear Dida Yes this treatment is out there on the web. And no doubt there are asses out there doing this treatment for their patients. As the other commenters on this point have mentioned, the quantity of BOTOX you would need to atrophy this muscle would be significant, and potentially health compromising. Also the calf is one of the big engines that allow us to walk. To top off the stupidity, these patient are essentially advised to not exercise. Let's please get a grip people. I... more

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD
Los Angeles Oculoplastic Surgeon

No Botox use in the calves!

Do not let anyone place Botox into your calves. It will not make your legs look slimmer and you will set yourself up for some potentially very serious complications with your ability to walk, run, or jump properly. There are several very well-accepted "off-label" uses of Botox such as to treat bands in the neck, forehead lines, crow's feet, and even some muscle spasticity disorders; but placing it into your calves for a slimming effect is NOT one of them and can potentially be... more

Brian S. Glatt, MD
Morristown Plastic Surgeon

BOTOX Cosmetic is not used for large calf muscles.

Dear Dida, I would not look for BOTOX to make your legs thinner. Just about all of the serious complications related to BOTOX are due to very large doses. If there is an "off-label" application for the calves, I have not heard of it, and would proceed with caution. I hope this helps, and best regards.