Therapy alternatives
In addition to the implantation of silicone implants, a transplantation of the body’s own fat can also be considered. However, this is rather a rarely chosen surgical method, as the calf does not look muscular and defined after the transplantation, but rather even and massive. The advantages of autologous fat transplantation are low scarring and very good tolerability, as the body’s own material is used and there is no immune reaction.
In addition, the enlargement of the calf can be carried out even closer to the patient’s wishes, as he or she can determine the amount to be injected. However, the injection must be repeated several times every six months until the desired target is reached, as the body breaks down or otherwise utilizes part of the injected fat. There are also non-surgical measures to enlarge the calf muscles.
If there is no genetic defect, it is often sufficient to do some muscular exercises to strengthen the calf muscles and also to choose a protein-rich diet. This includes all exercises that require strength development to reach the tip-toe position. This already includes everyday situations such as climbing stairs, which are easy to do.
Another therapeutic option is treatment with the drug Macrolane, a very strongly cross-linked hyaluronic acid that can be used to replenish and increase the mass of various parts of the body. For this purpose, the affected body region is injected with the drug and should immediately trigger the desired change. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and is performed with the additional administration of local anesthetics. Also, no scars are left behind during this treatment. Since the body breaks down the hyaluronic acid, the calf will shrink again after some time, so that the procedure must be repeated every two years for a permanent result.
Types of implants
After the operation, caution is initially required when loading the leg, but after a few weeks there should be no restriction for the patient. He can do sports as well as withstand any other kind of physical strain and should not find the implant disturbing. A follow-up examination and treatment is necessary in case of pain, massive redness and swelling, increased scarring and growths or trauma. If the implant is disturbing the patient, it may be necessary to replace or reposition it. As a rule, however, no further surgery is required, so the silicone gel implant can remain in the calf for life.
