Calf lipofilling

Calf lipofilling aims at enhancing the shape of too thin calves by stimulating the shape created by intern and/or extern gemellus muscles. Calf lipofilling is the preferred technique when it is possible to extract fat on the patient to inject it in the calves.

Before the procedure

Two consultations with your plastic surgeon with at least 15 days between each are mandatory before the operation. Medical photographies are always taken during these consultations. Stop smoking 1 month before the surgery to improve fat graft take with a better vascularization. No aspirin-based, anti-inflammatory medication or oral anticoagulants should be taken during the 15 days preceding the operation to reduce the risk of bleeding. No oral contraception 1 month before the operation to reduce the thrombo-embolic risks.

Hospital stay lasts one day and the procedure lasts 2h30 under general anaesthesia.

The procedure

The first step consists in infiltrating all the treated areas and the excess fat areas to carry out a liposuction. Fat is thereafter filtered based on the method of Dr Coleman (1 min centrifugation minimum.) to be purified and to separate it from blood and oil. Fat is injected where needed and in sufficient quantity (300 ml for each side minimum) to shape the calf on all plans: deep, superficial and lateral. Fat loss of the graft need to be taken into account (normal loss is 30% maximum).

After the procedure

The procedure may be carried in an ambulatory facility, the patient leaves on the same day with a prescription for pain-killers, panty (a pressure garment to reduce swelling) and simple dressing. Anticoagulants and antibiotics are often prescribed too. During the first three days at least, rest is advised. Pain can be moderate or important during one week and it can be painful to walk. A sport activity can be done again within one month after surgery. A consultation will be planned two weeks after surgery to remove the dressing and place a new one. Another consultation will take place 3 months after surgery to appreciate the stabilization of the result.

The scars

Incisions are small, hidden in the better way and shorter than 3 mm. Stitches are dissolvable. The scars disappear two months after surgery.