What is the better calf implants or fat transfer to calves?

Question

How much is this kind of surgery in New York?

Stanley Okoro, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. I can not speak for the cost of these procedures, but I can speak to some of the Pros and Cons. Fat transfer is great because you need to remove fat from one area and transfer to another. So you are improving two areas in 1 surgery! However, fat transfer is not predictable. Not all the fat will survive, and it may survive in one calf better than the other. This may result in asymmetry. Calf implants allow for guaranteed volume in 1 surgery. However, there are some complications associated with calf implants: 1. seroma 2. wound problems 3. infection 4. implant extrusion that will not occur with fat transfer. Good luck!

Gregory Turowski, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

Calf muscle are really hard to build up. Possibly hardest muscles to respond i  the body. There are basically 2 ways to have them enlarged aside of exercise. Calf implants are the most common option. They are predictable in size and shape and are possibly lasting for a lifetime. Fat transfer does not use forreign body but first of all you must have enough fat to harvest in other areas of the body. Also the size is limited because of fat volume that can be transferred. fat transfers may have to be repeated and the size is unpredictable and not as well defined as implants. Fat is however better for conturing legs below calf muscles.You should discuss these options with your board certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in these type of procedures

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Other than favorable genetics combined with rigorous consistent exercise, there is no other way to augment or restore (in the cases of genetic or aquired disease/trauma) the calf muscles besides calf implants. I do not recommend fat transfer to the calfs for several reasons: 1) it is highly unlikely that the fat will survive in this area, 2) the dying fat may get infected and likely infect the implant as well, 3) whatever fat does survive may be lumpy-bumpy and uneven with the opposite side. Bottom line, fat transfer will NOT work, period!  
Surgical prices vary by region, surgeon reputation, and surgical experience.  However, very few plastic surgeons specialize in this operation so you may have to travel a long distance to one that does. The implants are made of soft semi-solid silicone rubber and placed surgically through a small (3/4 inch) incision in a natural crease behind the knee. When the implants are properly sized and placed under the muscle fascia (but on top of the muscle), they should blend in and look natural. There are too many critical nerves and blood vessels under the muscle to risk putting them there. All surgery comes with post-operative pain and recovery.  For calf implants, the first two weeks after surgery is the most difficult time because walking is painful. Recovery usually progresses at a smooth steady pace from there. Glad to help.

What is the better calf implants or fat transfer to calves?

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Everything you need to know about Calf Implant

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What is the better calf implants or fat transfer to calves?

Answers (3)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Calf Implant

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.