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POSTED UNDER Facial Fat Transfer REVIEWS

Fat Transfer to Calves - Chicago, IL

ORIGINAL POST

I had my procedure done on the morning of April 17...

calfgirl
WORTH IT$4,500
I had my procedure done on the morning of April 17. Dr Stein and all of his staff are so pleasant and made any anxiety I felt go away. I felt great immediately after surgery. Just a little groggy. By the next morning I didn't even need the Norco anymore, just ibuprofen. I would describe my experience as discomfort not so much pain. However, by the 3rd day, I did take the Norco again when I felt I needed it because I started to experience significant pain and swelling in my left leg. I thought I developed a clot in my leg. I had Dr Stein paged on Easter night and he called me back quickly. Dr Stein felt it was cellulitis (an infection). I will be seeing him for my 1 week follow up tomorrow. Infection and complications are a risk with any surgery so I hope I can update in the next week or so saying my complication cleared up. As far as aesthetics, I love the way my legs look. They still look like my legs but fuller and more defined. He did a great job. I can't wait until the swelling goes down so that I can see the final result.

calfgirl's provider

Kenneth L. Stein, MD (in memoriam)

Kenneth L. Stein, MD (in memoriam)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

calfgirl rating for Dr. Stein:

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Replies (15)

April 24, 2014
So pleased for you and can't wait to have the same. Did you look into calf implants? What were your thoughts if you did? Do you know anyone with calf implants? Also, how much fat did he put back into your calves? Did any go into ankle area or just the calf (back of leg or medial aspect)? I would love to see a photo - will you be posting any? If not could you private message a photo do you think? Thanks.
April 24, 2014
I did look into calf implants. I chose not to go with implants for several reasons: it was significantly more expensive, recovery is significantly longer and more painful, risk of complications (rejection, dislocation), and scarring (I don't need everyone knowing I had calf enhancement. It's been a week since I had the procedure and my calves look great. I'm still dealing with the cellulitis in my left leg but I'm on antibiotics and it's slowly resolving. Other than that, my other leg and the areas I had fat transferred from just feel a little sore. If it weren't for my left leg, I'd say recovery was a BREEZE! I had people at my house on Easter Sunday and had the procedure the Thursday prior. No one even knew I had anything done. Of course, I had pants on because of the bruising, but what I love is that my legs don't look like someone else's. They look like my legs, but fuller. I don't know how much was injected into each calf but I'll ask at my 1 month followup. He only injected into the medial aspect because that's where I needed help. Doctor did take before pics and he will take after pics at my next appointment, so I'll post them then.
April 25, 2014
Great, thats really helpful. I feel the same about the scar issue - such a give away. I'm hoping to have enough of my own fat but i havent got much and PM said the best result would be using both implant and fat. Cant wait to see your photos. Where were your injection sites and how many? Any fat to the ankles? Thanks again.
April 25, 2014
I can see a small scab where he injected in each leg. On each leg, it is in the crease behind my knee, but right in the corner towards my inner knee. It's tiny and I HIGHLY doubt it'll be noticeable once it's healed. I didn't have any fat to the ankles. If you are unsure, get different opinions. I found the surgeons that I went to that did not specialize in fat grafting were definitely more leaning toward an implant. However, if you find a doctor that specializes in body sculpting and fat grafting, I would go that option. Reabsorption of fat is always a risk, but for me I was more willing to take that risk than rejection, dislocation, and scarring. My doctor said I should keep about 60-70 percent of the fat he injected so he overcompensated for that and injected more.
April 30, 2014
Hi. Where was the fat taken from? Also, how many puncture marks in your lower legs - one in each behind the knee or more? Can't wait to see your pics.
April 30, 2014
Hi. I answered before i saw this post sorry! It would be great if you could find out how much fat was transferred back into each calf area though. Good luck with your recovery and fat retainment.
May 4, 2014
Hi. Are you male or female? I'm asking as I was wondering where you had the fat taken from as I am female and quite thin. How many areas and how many puncture marks on the donor site/s? Did you have plenty of spare fat so can have it done again if necessary? I'm concerned as I will only get one go at this and want to retain all I can. What is your aftercare? Have you been told to not walk or walk? Do you have support on the legs? Supplements etc? Could you post a before and after pic as I am hoping to get this booked before your one month check up? Hope you are healing well and apologies for all the questions but I'm getting quite excited for June now!
May 26, 2014
Hi. Just wondering if you have had your 1 month check up yet? How's the swelling? Did you find out how much fat you had put back in, and any photos you could post? Are you pleased now after the one month mark? Did you wear a compression garment on your lower legs? If so, were they compression socks or a garment that covered the lower legs but finished at ankle? Also, did you have GA or local with sedation? Thanks.
June 21, 2014
How has your fat retained so far? Did you find out out much fat got injected? Any before and after photos? Did you have compression garments to wear?
User Avatar
July 6, 2014
Hi did you get a chance to get any pics yet?
May 6, 2014
Hi i did this my self and it looks good after 2 weeks. 3300 dollars, (not in USA ) will do second and also third to get them even bigger. I was also gonna do this in USA, but 9500 dollars for the augmentation and about 1500-2000 dollars for flight and hotel in usa. This would cost me about 11.500 dollars. Then i come trough some other surgeon he have very good experience on calf augmentation. I did it for 3300 dollars with food,care stat in hospital inkluded in europe. Flight cost me about 300 dollars. Total amount of 3600 dollars. Good alternatif if you leave in europe. Will go back in august. I look forward to my new life;)
June 10, 2014
Hi. How are things. Any pics you can post?
July 12, 2014
Hi Nickzoe1. How is that fat staying? Are your legs even, or any concerns after having the problem with the leg cellulitis as you did? Any photos or CCs yet? Be good to hear from you as I often wonder if no news is bad news on this forum so I do hope you are ok.
July 3, 2016
Hi! I know it's been a while since you did your procedure but I wanted to know how you're doing after two years. Did the fat survive? Did you have any other complications other that the cellulitis you mentioned? I'm schedule to get my procedure done in a week and quite honestly I'm freaking out. I've been reading that this area is more prone to infection due to blood flow and other complications. I would love an update, please! Not a lot of info out there on oeople who have done it and I would love to hear more about your experience after all this time. Hope you are doing well! Thanks!
May 3, 2020
Hi @Nina74 how did you calf fat transfer go?
UPDATED FROM calfgirl
3 months post

From comment 4.24.14

calfgirl

I can see a small scab where he injected in each leg. On each leg, it is in the crease behind my knee, but right in the corner towards my inner knee. It's tiny and I HIGHLY doubt it'll be noticeable once it's healed. I didn't have any fat to the ankles. If you are unsure, get different opinions. I found the surgeons that I went to that did not specialize in fat grafting were definitely more leaning toward an implant. However, if you find a doctor that specializes in body sculpting and fat grafting, I would go that option. Reabsorption of fat is always a risk, but for me I was more willing to take that risk than rejection, dislocation, and scarring. My doctor said I should keep about 60-70 percent of the fat he injected so he overcompensated for that and injected more.

Replies (1)

April 21, 2016
So how to your legs look now ,and how much it cost you
UPDATED FROM calfgirl
3 months post

From comment 4.24.14

calfgirl

I did look into calf implants. I chose not to go with implants for several reasons: it was significantly more expensive, recovery is significantly longer and more painful, risk of complications (rejection, dislocation), and scarring (I don't need everyone knowing I had calf enhancement. It's been a week since I had the procedure and my calves look great. I'm still dealing with the cellulitis in my left leg but I'm on antibiotics and it's slowly resolving. Other than that, my other leg and the areas I had fat transferred from just feel a little sore. If it weren't for my left leg, I'd say recovery was a BREEZE! I had people at my house on Easter Sunday and had the procedure the Thursday prior. No one even knew I had anything done. Of course, I had pants on because of the bruising, but what I love is that my legs don't look like someone else's. They look like my legs, but fuller. I don't know how much was injected into each calf but I'll ask at my 1 month followup. He only injected into the medial aspect because that's where I needed help. Doctor did take before pics and he will take after pics at my next appointment, so I'll post them then.

Replies (4)

User Avatar
July 17, 2014
I second Faye's comment -- I'd love to know how you're doing! Please update when you can. Thanks in advance. :)
November 6, 2014
Hi. Did you have fat put in the muscle in your calves as well as the around the muscle? How much was put in and did you take before and after measurements please? How much would you say you have retained? Thank you.
December 15, 2014
Have your legs become smaller?
April 21, 2016
Please keep updating, i really want to have my done and also how much did it cost you ?