eMedicine Specialties > Plastic Surgery > Body Contouring

Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation: Follow-up

Author: Lloyd N Carlsen, MD, CM, FRCSC, FACS, Director, Cosmetic Surgery Hospital; Staff Physician, Scarborough General Hospital; Assistant Clinical Professor, McMaster University, Canada
Coauthor(s): Sandra Voice, MD, FRCSC, Consulting Staff, Department of Cosmetic Surgery, Scarborough General Hospital, Ontario
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 16, 2008

Future and Controversies

As the originators of the operation, the authors have been asked to review many problem cases. These cases entailed skin slough and neuromuscular problems. In the authors' opinion, the cause in these cases was insertion of too large an implant. In most procedures, this led to a tight leg with subsequent development of lymphatic and venous obstruction and the consequential effects on the neuromuscular system. Inadequate postoperative care has led to further complications. As soon as the compartment is recognized as too tight, the implant should be removed, trimmed down, and reinserted or left out for another day.

In the cases in which skin loss has been a problem, the authors believe violation of the deep investing fascia occurred, disrupting the ideal fasciocutaneous coverage of that implant. Alternatively, the implant may have been too large, thus impinging on the circulatory system. As soon as this is recognized, the implant should be removed and replaced at a later date.

Conclusions

After 3 decades of working with the procedure, on more than 600 legs, the authors conclude that if the parameters outlined in this article for calf augmentation are followed, the procedure is as satisfying as breast augmentation. The patients on whom the procedure has been carried out experience the same improvement in body image as have many of the patients on whom the authors have preformed breast enlargement. Patients who have undergone reconstruction of hypoplastic legs, such as those with polio, achieved the same satisfaction as patients who underwent breast reconstruction following removal for cancer.

 


More on Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation

Overview: Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation
Workup: Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation
Treatment: Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation
Follow-up: Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation
Multimedia: Body Contouring, Calf Augmentation
References
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Further Reading

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Keywords

calf augmentation, calf implant, calf deformity, calf injury, leg function, reconstructive surgery, thin calf, thin calves, underdeveloped calf, underdeveloped calves, polio, clubfoot, club foot, polio leg, polio calf, bodybuilder leg, polio calf implant, polio implant, bodybuilder implant

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Lloyd N Carlsen, MD, CM, FRCSC, FACS, Director, Cosmetic Surgery Hospital; Staff Physician, Scarborough General Hospital; Assistant Clinical Professor, McMaster University, Canada
Lloyd N Carlsen, MD, CM, FRCSC, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Canadian Medical Association, Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons, Lipoplasty Society of North America, and Ontario Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Sandra Voice, MD, FRCSC, Consulting Staff, Department of Cosmetic Surgery, Scarborough General Hospital, Ontario
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Gregory Caputy, MD, PhD, Chief, Department of Plastic Surgery, Aesthetica Plastic and Laser Surgery Center of Honolulu
Gregory Caputy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Canadian Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Association, International College of Surgeons, International College of Surgeons US Section, Pan-Pacific Surgical Association, and Wound Healing Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, PC, Clinical Professor of Plastic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Immed Past President of New York Regional Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Alan Matarasso, MD, FACS, PC is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Plastic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, International College of Surgeons US Section, New York Academy of Medicine, New York County Medical Society, Pan American Medical Association, and Pan-Pacific Surgical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD, Director, Colorado Plastic Surgery Center
Nicolas (Nick) G Slenkovich, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and Colorado Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Al Aly, MD, FACS, Consulting Surgeon, Iowa City Plastic Surgery
Disclosure: Ethicon  Consulting fee Consulting; QMP Royalty Book royalty; Insorb Stapler Consulting fee Consulting; Insorb Stapler Ownership interest None; Medicis Intellectual property rights None

 
 
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