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If working out isn't giving you the calf definition or bulk you're after, calf implants may be the answer. Calf augmentation surgery, using implants or fat transfers, has an impressive 95.4% satisfaction rate.1
Read on to learn more about calf implants, including what they can do for your appearance and how much they cost.
What Are Calf Implants?
Calf implants are silicone devices that are surgically placed over or under the calf muscles to enhance the size and contour of your calves. Calf implant surgery is also referred to as calf augmentation or calf enhancement.2
Types of Implants
Most calf implants are made of medical-grade silicone. You can choose from implants made of solid silicone or silicone gel. They come in different shapes and sizes to accommodate asymmetry and achieve the best results.3
Types of Procedures
Along with different types of calf implants, there are also different types of placement procedures:3
- Subfascial: This is the least invasive method, which involves placing the implant just under the connective tissue between your skin and your calf muscle.
- Submuscular: In this method, the implant is placed under the calf muscle, which allows for a more secure placement and more natural look and feel.
Good Candidates for Calf Implants
Calf implant surgery has a high safety profile.1 But it isn't right for everyone. You may be a candidate for calf implants if you are:4
- An adult who has stopped growing
- In good overall health
- Working on your physical fitness and trying to build your calf muscles
- A nonsmoker or are willing to quit smoking before surgery, as smoking increases the chance of complications and slows healing2
- Realistic in your expectations about what the procedure can do2
How Much Do Calf Implants Cost?
The average cost of calf implants is $5,026.5 This is the average standard cost of the calf implant surgery and facility fees, and doesn't include associated costs, such as:5
- Medical tests
- Anesthesia
- Surgical garments
- Prescriptions
Other factors that may impact the total cost of calf implant surgery include:
- The surgeon's credentials and experience
- Where the surgeon is located
- The complexity and specifics of your procedure
Are Calf Implants Covered by Insurance?
Calf implant surgery isn't typically covered by health insurance, but it may be if it's being done as part of reconstructive surgery for an injury or a congenital defect.2
Alternatives to Calf Implants
Silicone calf implants are just one type of calf augmentation. There are minimally invasive and noninvasive calf implant alternatives, outlined below.
| Calf implant alternative | Details |
|---|---|
| Fat transfer calf augmentation | This minimally invasive procedure, also known as fat grafting, involves removing fat from another part of the body using liposuction and injecting it into the calves.9 Sometimes, fat transfer is done along with calf implants to improve contouring.1 |
| Muscle tightening treatments | These noninvasive treatments deliver focused high-intensity electromagnetic energy to the calf muscles so they contract up to 20,000 times. This simulates intensive exercise to build muscle.6 |
| Injectable fillers | Injectable fillers like hyaluronic acid can enhance the size and contours of the calves.7 BOTOX® Cosmetic injections are sometimes used to improve the contour of the lower legs by slimming larger calves.8 |
Additionally, costs of calf implant alternatives may be less expensive than calf implants. Below is a breakdown of what the alternatives may cost, on average.
| Calf implant alternative | Average cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fat transfer calf augmentation | $3,000 to $11,0009 | Costs depend on the amount of fat that needs to be removed and transferred,9 and varies depending on the surgeon's experience, location and anesthesia fees. |
| Muscle tightening treatments | $599 to $1,850 per session10 | Multiple treatments are needed to maintain results.6 |
| Hyaluronic acid (injectable filler) | $283 to $4,389 per treatment10 | Costs depend on provider's location and amount and brand of filler used.10 |
| BOTOX® Cosmetic (injectable filler) | $95 to $3,142 per treatment10 | Costs depend on provider's location and amount of filler needed.10 Fillers aren't permanent; maintaining results depends on ongoing treatments. |
Benefits of Calf Implants
People get calf implants for various cosmetic and medical reasons. Some of the main benefits of calf implants include:4
- Enhancing the contours of the legs and making them shapelier
- Bulking up the calves beyond what you've been able to achieve with bodybuilding and exercise
- Making the calves more proportionate to the size of the upper legs and thighs
- Correcting a leg injury or congenital defect as part of reconstructive surgery2
- Improving symmetry if one calf is larger than the other
How Calf Implant Surgery Works
The process begins with a consultation with a plastic surgeon. During the appointment, the surgeon should discuss your expectations and explain the procedure, including preparation and recovery. They will also measure your legs to determine the right size of implants.2
Preparation
You'll be given instructions on how to prepare for your calf implant surgery. You may be asked to:2
- Have pre-op blood work done
- Quit smoking, as it can lend itself to unnecessary complications and interferes with healing
- Stop certain medications and supplements
Procedure
Calf implant surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, so you should be able to go home the same day. You will need someone to drive you home after your surgery. The procedure typically takes one to two hours.11
Here is a general overview of how calf implant surgery is performed:3
- You will be placed face down on the surgical table and be given general anesthesia so you sleep through the procedure.
- The surgeon will make an incision in the crease behind your knee.
- Depending on the type of implant being used, they will create a pocket-type space between your skin and calf muscles or in your calf muscle.
- The implant is then inserted through the incision and then positioned inside the pocket.
- The incisions are closed with stitches and then bandaged.
- You are turned onto your back and taken to a recovery area to be monitored for a short period.11
- You may have small drainage tubes inserted just below the incision to drain fluid and reduce swelling.11
After surgery
Before you go home, you will be given aftercare instructions to follow to optimize healing.2 You will also be given compression garments to wear to help support your calf implants and reduce swelling.2 Unless the surgeon uses dissolvable stitches, you will need to see the surgeon to have your stitches and any drainage tubes removed.12
Potential Side Effects of Calf Implants
Calf implants are generally considered safe when performed by a skilled and experienced plastic surgeon.13
Like with any procedure, side effects can accompany calf implants. Potential side effects include:2
- Allergic reaction to anesthesia or the implants
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Painful tightening and hardening of the scar tissue around the implant3
- Being able to feel the edge of the implant through your skin3
- Nerve damage and numbness
Calf Implant Recovery
You can expect your lower legs to be sore and swollen for several days as they adjust to your new, larger calves. Walking will be uncomfortable, but don't let that stop you as it's important for circulation and preventing blood clots. Walk slowly and carefully around the house the first few days and try to gradually increase your distance without overexerting yourself. You should be able to walk normally the second and third week of recovery.12
You should be able to get back to most of your usual activities within six weeks. You may be told to avoid higher-impact activities like running and strength training for a little longer.12
Here are some tips to help make you comfortable while recovering:
- Have someone help you move around for the first couple of days.
- Elevate your legs when sitting or lying down to help keep swelling down.2
- Take antibiotics and any other medications as prescribed.2
- Apply ice packs to help with pain and swelling.
- Call your doctor if your pain or bleeding becomes severe or if you develop signs of infection, such as fever or pus from the incision sites.13
Results to expect
You'll be able to see the results of your calf implants right away, but it'll take about a month for most of the swelling to go away completely.14
Frequently Asked Questions About Calf Implants
Interested in calf implants but still have more questions? Read on to find out more.
Financing Calf Implants With the CareCredit Credit Card
Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for calf implants and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Adrienne Santos-Longhurst is a writer who has been covering health and lifestyle for almost two decades. Her work has appeared in Healthline, Insider, Medical News Today and more.
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