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Included in the consultation should be an open, honest discussion of all previous surgeries, steroid use, other medications, and illnesses which the patient may have had, particularly chronic health conditions such as diabetes and HIV.
In order to reduce the incidence of complications, it is important that you select an experienced Plastic Surgeon that has a proven track record of success with minimal problems. The surgeons we have chosen to be a part of BodyContouringImplants.com are committed to using the latest technology to ensure your safety. Silicone Implants
Silicone implants have been available for more than 60 years.Modern silicone implants used for Body Contouring enhancement are soft, flexible and durable - safe and reliable. Silicone has come under fire since the early 1990's because of the silicone gel used in breast implants which was alleged to have caused autoimmune disease in some women. Highly controlled studies since that period have proven that silicone does not cause disease of any kind. Body Contouring Implants are made of solid silicone - soft but still solid without the controversial characteristics of silicone gel. Solid silicone has never been alleged to cause any disease in the human body.
BODY CONTOURING IMPLANTS ARE MADE OF THE SAME SILICONE THAT SURROUNDS MANY CARDIAC PACEMAKERS. MOST JOINT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE MADE WITH EITHER SOLID SILICONE OR COATED WITH SILICONE TO REDUCE THE BODY REACTION TO THE REPLACEMENT PART. NO PROBLEMS HAVE EVER BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO THE SILICONE OF THESE IMPLANTS WHICH IS IDENTICAL TO THE SILICONE OF BODY CONTOURING IMPLANTS.
CALF IMPLANTS ARE USED TO BULK UP THE APPEARANCE OF THE CALF MUSCLES TO GIVE THE LOOK OF HAVING BEEN IN THE GYM FOR HOURS WORKING OUT THE CALF MUSCLES.
It is most important to evaluate the entire body of any patient looking to have body contouring with implants. Most patients, men especially, will usually ask for the largest implant made. Without evaluating the rest of the body, it is easy to over-do the implant size and get a result that looks more like Popeye than Arnold. All calf implants are made of a silicone material. The implants are solid, but soft.
BEFORE SURGERY
For cosmetic enlargement, 2 implants are usually used in each calf (a total of 4 implants per patient) and are placed under the investing fascia of the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius muscle, which is the large muscle that forms the visible bulk of the calf.(The 2 implants are necessary to mimic the natural contours of the gastrocnemius muscle. Using a single implant to enlarge both medial and lateral areas will result in an artificial look. Single implants are used frequently in reconstructive procedures, which generally require only one side or the other to be augmented.)
Usually the implant length is determined by the length of the patient's own muscle. Sometimes this can cause a problem when the patient's muscle is short in proportion to the length of the lower leg. In most cases the implant size can be adjusted by lengthening to extend slightly outside of the muscle pocket. This is exactly the case in those patients that have calf implants to correct deficiencies from Polio or other degenerative conditions that involve the lower leg musculature. Because of nerves, tendons, and blood vessels, it is usually not possible to augment the lower 1/2 to 1/3 of the leg.
Once the overall purpose is decided upon, implant design and construction is most important. The technique to place the implant is relatively simple.It is the preoperative evaluation and the decisions made before surgery that will determine the ultimate result.These decisions include the shape of the implant, thickness and the material that will be used to construct the implants. Once the implant is constructed, only minimal revisions at surgery can be done. The plastic surgeon needs to have a good eye for body contour, a good ear to hear what the patient wants, and the ability to convey to the implant manufacturer what is to be constructed. If the implants are too short, the surgeon can't lengthen them at the time of the operation. If the implants are too thick, removing some of the silicone material is possible, but the implant will have lost its smooth surface due to the trimming. Implants that are designed to emphasize muscularity in men will not result in the smooth silky curves needed for a woman. Planning and experience is key as it is in most aesthetic surgery. Implant manufacturers that work with a plastic surgeon who does more than an occasional calf implant will keep a range of implant designs that that surgeon uses. Implants are then available within a short time. In those patients that require a size or design that is unique, a moulage (mold) of the leg will generally need to be done before the implant can be constructed.In some cases the implant will be sculpted in wax, adjusted to the individual patient's calf and then send it out to be duplicated. All of these procedures will increase the length of time needed before surgery can be scheduled. It will also generally increase the cost.
THE SURGERY
The technique is the same in men or women.A 1.5" incision is made in the lower posterior popliteal crease (the lines behind the knee) and deepened to extend through the fascia that covers these 2 areas of the muscle. Once this investing fascia is opened, the pockets that will receive the implants are easily developed. Calf implants are placed within the muscle compartments (2 of them in each leg) but on top of the actual muscle fibers. Because of certain important nerves and blood vessels that are below the muscle, the implants are not usually placed under the muscle (which is the reverse of pec implants). The operation will usually last about 2 hours. It can be done under local, regional, or general anesthesia. Once the implants are in place, the incisions are closed.
POST SURGERY AND RECOVERY ВЪЗСТАНОВЯВАНЕ
The patient will be more comfortable if a long acting (usually about 10-12 hours) local anesthetic is left in each implant compartment. Compression stockings are placed and these will be worn for about 2-3 weeks.There are generally no bandages.When the patient is ready to leave the recovery room, they wear a shoe with a 1.5 to 2 inch heel (clogs). This will cause the calf muscles to relax and the discomfort will be lPatients are advised to go home to bed for 24 hours.After that they can get up for eating or the bathroom but they still need to be off their feet for about a week with the legs elevated This may stretch into 2-3 weeks if there is unusual swelling or bruising.Their post-surgery activities are restricted severely for about 6 weeks, especially gym activit
Discomfort following the surgery can be quite variable.Women seem to have less pain than men, but that is across the board in all surgical procedures.Pain is to be expected, especially for the first 48 hours.The long acting local anesthetic helps with the immediate post-surgical pain.Keeping the legs elevated will reduce the swelling and therefore reduce An antibiotic, something specifically for pain, something to reduce inflammation, possibly something for muscle spasms, and occasionally something for sleep will be prescribed by the doctor.Take medications exactly as prescribed and with no other drugs.In these days of exotic medications, interaction and cross-reaction of medications is not too uncommon.Follow-up visits to the doctor vary with each physician but patients are usually seen 2 days postop, then weekly for 3 weeks, then at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and annually thereafter.Patients that are from out-of-town have their schedule adjusted to their needs.
RISKS & COMPLICATIONS
Complications may occur particularly in patients who do not follow instructions well and insist on returning to work or to the gym too early.This may result in hematoma (bleeding), excess swelling and/or other problems.The outside scar will heal in about 10 days but the area surrounding the implants will take about 6 weeks to heal.
