Twin augmentation: What Is It, | Risks, Results, Options and Cost

Introduction

The operation of calf augmentation by inserting silicone gel implants is called myoplasty . However, in addition to the prosthesis, it is possible to shape and increase the volume of this area, even with injection techniques, such as lipofilling or filling with hyaluronic acid.

All these interventions have the ultimate goal of restoring balance and the proportion of the twins in both male and female patients who are unable to gain weight in this area, even with exercises. This poor development can make the legs look very thin, spread out, or even bow. By intervening in the shape and prominence of the element that most influences the profile and harmony of the legs, it is achieved that they are consistent with the rest of the legs.

What is myoplasty?

Myoplasty is the name of the plastic and aesthetic surgery intervention that serves to increase and reshape the posterior muscle of the leg , or the Sural triceps, more commonly called the calf.

Myoplasty consists of calf augmentation by inserting a prosthesis over the gastrocnemius muscle through an incision of about 5 cm, made below the knee to create a pocket between the fascia and the underlying muscle in which it will be carefully placed the prosthesis so that the legs do not look so thin. The incision is then closed with sutures and wrapped with compression bandages.

The intervention lasts approximately 1 hour and a half and is performed on an outpatient basis . It is generally performed under local anesthesia and with sedation, but in some cases it can also be done with general anesthesia if the doctor deems it more appropriate.

They are normally bulky, but sometimes they can be seen underdeveloped. This gives the legs a very thin appearance and not congruent with the rest of the body silhouette.

Techniques

Myoplasty is not the only surgery that can help you get more defined. In fact, there are mainly three options available to the surgeon and the patient:

• Calf prosthesis implantation (myoplasty). Silicone gel implants are placed in a pocket under the triceps sural muscle band through an incision behind the knee. Its advantage over other techniques is that the result is permanent and offers an improvement in the lower leg as a whole. However, like any surgical procedure that involves the insertion of an implant, myoplasty also carries risks and a longer postoperative recovery. Today implants are filled with a gel that is cohesive, so complications are very rare and there is little risk of rejection, say the professionals at the
• Lipofilling of twins. With this procedure it is possible to volume and shape the calves through the patient’s autologous fat. The operation is performed in the operating room and is performed by sucking the fat from one or more donor areas through liposuction (abdomen, hips, thighs). After extraction, the fat obtained is treated and purified and then transferred to the subcutaneous tissue of the twins to obtain greater volume and definition. The advantage of lipofilling is that the risk of incurring allergic reactions is practically nil, and in addition the surgery does not leave scars on the calves, but only small signs in the areas where the microcannula has been inserted for liposuction.
• Hyaluronic acid for twins. It can also be done through infiltrations of hyaluronic acid or microfiller. Treatment does not require anesthesia, but if the patient needs it, anesthetic ointment can be applied to reduce patient discomfort at the time of injection. The advantage of this technique is that a period of hospitalization is not required and therefore it is possible to immediately return to normal activities. However, the result is temporary, since hyaluronic acid is always a resorbable substance, so it will be necessary to repeat the treatment.

Who is the ideal candidate?

According to the specialists of the Sanza Clinic, anyone who is not satisfied with the volume of their twins or has an asymmetry, can undergo this surgery. Generally, the most common cases are:

• Trauma to the lower limbs
• Women with underdeveloped twins
• Men who, even practicing sports, cannot obtain volume in this area
• Patients who have suffered from neurological diseases
• Patients with orthopedic problems

Calf augmentation surgery, either by means of prostheses or fillers, can be performed in both men and women, the important thing is that the patient has reached the age of majority and has a full physical development and is in good health. psychophysics.

The augmentation and reshaping of the twins by surgery (myoplasty or lipofilling) is not recommended in people suffering from cardiovascular diseases or serious illnesses, such as diabetes, kidney or respiratory failure. Nor in patients who have an ongoing skin infection.

Finally, remember that if you decide to reshape the calf by lipofilling, it must also be valid for the liposuction intervention .

How to choose the surgeon?

The Spanish Society of Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery recommends always verifying the specialization of the surgeon entrusted to us, whether you wish to perform cosmetic surgery (such as myoplasty or lipofilling of the calves) or if you wish to perform a non-invasive injectable treatment such as microfillers.

It is always advisable to go to a first visit with several specialists, so as not to make a hasty decision and to have time to evaluate the chosen surgeon without superficiality.

These are some suggestions that could be useful to consciously face the process of choosing your surgeon:

• Verify the doctor’s specialization (in this case, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
• Check that you are in an accredited scientific society (SECPRE, SEME, etc)
• Ask the surgeon to show you pictures of their previous procedures or talk to a patient who has already undergone the same operation

Finally, remember to always solve all your questions or concerns during the visits to prepare for the intervention: trust and security with the surgeon are essential.

What will the first visit with the surgeon be like?

During the first visit, it is essential that the patient honestly demonstrate to the specialist what their aspirations are for the intervention , what results they want to obtain and, above all, if they suffer from any pathology that could compromise the intervention and their safety.

Once the surgeon has collected all the necessary data on the patient’s health and habits, he will proceed to an examination of the development of the calf muscle to assess the extent of the blemish.

Some patients may also need to have blood and urine tests and specialized tests , such as EKGs or ultrasounds, which can highlight any risk factors for the patient.

After completing all his investigations, the specialist will explain the different intervention possibilities and will recommend to the patient the most appropriate technique for his case: prosthetic implant for the calves, lipofilling to give volume to the area of the muscles, infiltrations of hyaluronic acid.

At this point, then, the surgeon will explain to the patient all the details related to the surgical procedure, the possible side effects , how to treat the postoperative period, the costs of the intervention and the results that can be obtained.

If the patient decides to opt for the augmentation by means of silicone implants, the size and type of prosthesis will be established by means of tests done with meters, or in the case of lipofilling, it will evaluate from which areas the necessary fat is extracted. According to the specialists of the, if you want to increase only the size of the twins, they will be short. If they are long, they will reach the ankles.

How to prepare for the day of surgery

It is always advisable to go to a clinic accompanied by a trusted person . In fact, it is preferable to have someone by your side who is available to help or reassure the person who decides to undergo an intervention or aesthetic treatment.

Normally, it is always good practice to quit smoking at least 2 to 3 weeks before your scheduled surgery date, to encourage scar formation, as smoking affects your blood’s ability to clot. In addition, it is recommended not to take acetylsalicylic acid-based medications, such as aspirin, during the week before the operation, as even this substance can compromise clotting and therefore delay the healing process. The same is true for some contraceptive drugs.

The surgery will last approximately 1 hour and a half and will be performed as an outpatient procedure , so discharge will take place a few hours after the operation, provided that the operating surgeon does not consider it appropriate to observe a longer period of hospitalization.

Prosthetics for twins

Calf implants , as well as breast implants or buttock implants, are produced in different sizes and shapes so that they can be better adapted to the patient’s anatomy.

Calf prostheses are made of silicone : the outside is stiffer and stronger, and the inside is softer and made of thick silicone gel.

These prostheses are available in two forms:

• Symmetric prostheses: used in cases in which the lateral profile of the triceps muscle formed by the sural muscle and the gastrocnemius or gastrocnemius muscles must also be increased.

• Asymmetric prostheses: used to increase the medial head of the triceps sural muscle, they are the most used because this is the part that most patients want to model.

Most prosthesis manufacturers offer a guarantee of approximately ten years for their products, after this period it is recommended to replace them to avoid any alteration of the prostheses due to wear and tear. The brands certified and distributed in Europe are :

• Allied Medical Bio
• Eurosilicone
• Implantech
• Polytech
• SEBBIN
• Feel
• Spectrum Medical Design

Results

All three calf augmentation procedures improve the size and definition of these muscles. However, the results , as the also warns , may vary depending on the patient and their individual characteristics.

We must also bear in mind that the duration of the final result will depend on the technique used:

• Myoplasty: prostheses offer a permanent result. For the final result to be visible, it will be necessary to wait a few weeks for the complete resorption of the bruises. According to the professionals at the , the results are immediate but improve after a month.

• Lipofilling: it will depend on the degree of reabsorption of the infiltrated fat and will be noticeable after 2 or 3 months from the operation. The result is long-lasting but is still subject to variations due to aging. In any case, it is always possible to resort to a retouch to stabilize the result if the patient so wishes.

• Hyaluronic acid: the result is temporary and lasts between 12 and 18 months, depending on the degree of reabsorption of each patient.

Postoperative

During convalescence, the patient should wear a bandage or compression bandage for about 2 weeks . Immediately after the operation and for the first 2 days, it is recommended to remain at rest keeping the legs raised, then it is recommended to get up with the help of crutches to avoid exerting excessive force on the calves, since the effort can cause the prosthesis to move .

During the first days, the patient may experience pain in the treated area, but in this case the doctor may prescribe pain relievers to better tolerate the discomfort. Bruising or swelling may appear, but will be reabsorbed within a few weeks. According to the specialists of the  the patient will have the feeling of having done very intense sport.

Return to work and normal daily activities can take place after 10-15 days (5-6 in the case of lipofilling), while sports, swimming in the pool, sauna, sun exposure, exertion Physical therapy and the intake of tobacco and alcohol should be suspended for at least 1 month, both in the case of myoplasty and lipofilling.

• Does myoplasty leave scars?

The scars are generally made on the knees, so that they are hidden by the folds and shadows of the skin and, therefore, less visible. To promote healing, it is advisable to start taking care of the scars immediately by applying specific creams and massages, always following the instructions of your surgeon. Especially during the first 6 months, it is essential to protect the area from the sun with an SPF 50+ cream.

Side effects and risks

Among the normal side effects of the calf definition operation may appear: swelling, bruising, a feeling of tension and mild pain in the operated area, temporary hypersensitivity or numbness of the calves.

Eventual risks of twin myoplasm and lipofilling may include:

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Breakage of prostheses
• Asymmetry of the prostheses
• Capsular contracture of prostheses

Frequent questions

• Is the result of the calf augmentation operation final? It can be definitive if it involves the insertion of a prosthesis or it must be repeated if, for example, lipofilling is used.
• Is twin augmentation dangerous? The operation presents the general risks of any surgical intervention and those related to the placement of foreign material in an area naturally subjected to continuous stress.
• Is it necessary to replace calf prostheses? In principle, patients can hold them indefinitely, however, they are foreign bodies and as such can deteriorate.
• Can Macrolane’s hyaluronic acid be used for twin augmentation? With the Macrolane you can effectively increase the calves, but the result is not permanent.
• In case of asymmetry, is it possible to intervene on a single calf? There are prostheses of different sizes, they are generally inserted bilaterally, but in cases of asymmetry it is possible to intervene only in one of the two.
• After how long can you go back to playing sports? We need to reduce sports activity for a period of at least 30 days.