LASER CENTER

If you are considering calves augmentation using the technique of extension of the gastrocnemius muscle of Dr. Juan Piña, through prosthesis, this information will be very useful; some pre and post operation considerations are also described here.

Dr. Piña is a pioneer and has 20 years of experience in the Northwest part of Mexico performing cosmetic and functional surgeries such as the application of implants for calf augmentation.

In the first consultation, Dr. Piña assesses your health status and explains to you the most appropriate surgical techniques. The assessment of the surgeon is very important because the technique depends on the circumstances of each patient. In the first appointment, the doctor explains to you the details of your case.

The patient should explain to Dr. Piña his/her expectations. He will indicate the alternatives and advantages, risks, and limitations of possible treatments. Likewise, the patient will answer the questions made by Dr. Piña about certain habits, such as smoking, if the patient is taking any medication, vitamins, drugs, etc.

The augmentation of the gastrocnemius muscle or placing of implants and prosthesis in the legs is a safe surgical procedure addressed to improve the size and shape of this muscle due to the following reasons:

1.- Improve the body contour and aesthetics of men and women, who, for personal reasons, think their legs are too thin.

This technique was developed to correct secondary defects such as those left by poliomyelitis and other deforming illness. But now, this is an operation for healthy people, men and women, who wish to improve the size and shape of their calves.

Leg modeling using implants in the calves slowly evolved to be a highly requested surgery right now.

After the implant is inserted in each leg, the implant integrates to the bone named tibia and the gastrocnemius muscle. This way, Dr. Piña increases the volume of the leg providing appreciable volume to the calf.

Calf implants could be performed on people of both sexes any ages,with the same success; the higher impulse of this kind of surgery was produced by the desire of the patients to have a size and shape of the leg that could not be attainable even with the most strenuous exercises.

Women with heavy muscle and knees but relatively thin calves could be treated with a combination of implants, liposuction and lipo-sculpture in legs, waist, and hips.

People with normal or heavy muscles and disproportionately thin legs in the upper and medium third part of the legs. It does not work to increase the ankles. It is very useful for patient with poliomyelitis sequels that have left the legs very thin or for people who think their legs are very thin. Men go through this surgery a lot, especially those who practice weights and that their volume of the thighs is big, thus the legs could look very thin. A different problem is with extremely thin legs, where the implant could not fill the whole leg, especially in the ankle area.

The augmentation of the gastrocnemius muscle is a safe procedure. As in any operation, there are risks and specific complications associated to the surgery, therefore, absolute cleanliness is needed and the patient should not expose the scar in dirty places or public bathrooms riding, or use tight and dirty clothing small.

The patient shall not eat anything before the surgery due the administration of antibiotics and other medications which are important for the wellbeing of the operation.

We recommend that a companion be with the patient during the whole procedure. Likewise, it is necessary to receive some help during the first days and up to the recovery time, so the patient could manage by himself/herself.

The procedure is performed as an external surgery in Clinica Laser Center. The operation lasts between 1 and 2 hours. The results are permanent.

The augmentation of gastrocnemius muscles are made according to the case and after a prior study of the patient's conditions. The surgery can be done using epidural or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with intravenous sedative or regional blocking in the legs is administrated in a way that there is no discomfort during the intervention. For us your health status should be the optimum, thus we select the anesthetic technique that would allow us to work better and safer.

A small percentage of patients can develop an infection around the implant. This could occur at any time, but it is more frequent during the first week after the surgery.

As in any surgical procedure, bleeding after the operation can cause edema or discomfort. These complications are attenuated placing drains.

In some cases it is necessary to remove the implant during several months, until the infection disappears. Later on a new implant can be placed.

But do not panic, most of the patients that have implants do not undergo the aforementioned complications. However, it is important that the patient knows about it. In addition, during the pre-operation appointment the doctor explains all the complications that could arise so the patient is aware of every benefit and risk of this surgery that, on the other hand, has a high level of satisfaction.

Calf implant is a silicone wrapping filled with silicone gel. Or it could be Elastomer prosthesis, which are prosthesis with shapes adapted to the characteristics of the gastrocnemius muscle or leg.

Prior to the surgery, the most adequate implant is selection taking into consideration the size of the patient. The implant is placed in such a way that meets the expectations of each case in particular. One or two implants can be placed considering they are comfortably placed.

The augmentation of the legs can improve your appearance and self-esteem. Through an incision located in a fold of the popliteal havoc (are behind the knee) it is penetrated up to the superficial fascia of the leg, making a bag between it and the deep aponeurosis of the gastrocnemius muscle from the entrance site to the place where the Achilles tendon begins and the wide part of the leg.

The incision in the skin is made in the posterior fold of the leg cutting a bag underneath the aforementioned fascia and placing the implant in order to simulate more volume in the gastrocnemius muscle.

The incision is closed with stitches in 3 planes, sterile dressing pads and compressive bandages in the whole leg to avoid the formation of edemas and movement of the implant and a bandage for two or three days to allow the correct scarring.

The patient will feel tired and uncomfortable for some days after the surgery, but in three or four days the patient will be able to perform relatively normal activities. Most part of the problems will be treated with medication. In two or three days the bandage is removed or the area is drained, according to the case, and the doctor will indicate the type of stocking that the patient should use. Funny sensations and swelling in the skin will disappear in about two weeks. The stitches will be removed approximately in two weeks; but it will take a few weeks before the legs recovered their normal appearance.

After one hour of surgery or three hours of recovery, the patient is sent to his/her home. Some patients do not present any discomfort while others present some pain in the operation area, thus the doctor will provide analgesics and tranquilizers.

The legs are covered with a special bandage and any activity for 48 hours should be avoided. The movement is gradually increased according to the tolerance and about 8 days after the surgery, the patient could resume normal activities. However, he/she should avoid excessive walking.

The doctor recommends two days of recovery preferably face down in bed. After these two days the bandage is removed, a first cleaning of the injury is done using iodine solution, new clean dressing pads and bandages are placed up to eight days. One week after the patient should go to the doctor's office for a review and possible removal of the stitches.

The patient is released the same day. The stitches are removed between 7 and 14 days. Complete cleaning is recommended. but it will take a few weeks before the legs recovered their normal appearance.

During the days prior to the surgery it is convenient to use Lactacyd soap to clean the body. Do not take aspirins or any other medication that contains salicylates two weeks before and after the surgery.

In three or four days the patient will be able to perform relatively normal activities. Most part of the problems will be treated with medication.

In two or three days the bandage is removed or the area is drained, according to the case, and the doctor will indicate the type of stocking that the patient should use.

During the days prior to the surgery it is convenient to use Lactacyd soap to clean the body.

Dont take any other medication that contains salicylates two weeks before and after the surgery.

The patient should buy kneepads and compression stockings to be used after the operation. The use of slightly compressive elastic leotard during the first 60 days after the surgery, as well as the use of high heels is recommended. Feet should rest lifted several times a day during the first 15 days.