How do I prepare for calf implant surgery?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have before your surgery, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon may ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
- Possibly have blood and urine tests and a pregnancy test for women to prepare for anesthesia.
Calf implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. You’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and stay with you at least the first night following surgery.
What can I expect the day of my calf implant surgery?
Be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery so you have the most accurate expectations.
- You may have your calf augmentation in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Most calf implant surgeries take approximately one to two hours to complete but may take longer.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the procedure.
- General anesthesia is common for calf implant procedures. In some instances, the surgeon will use local anesthesia or intravenous sedation too.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- Your surgeon will follow the surgical plan discussed with you before surgery.
- After your surgery, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- You may have drainage tubes, and you will need to wear surgical dressing that includes a support or compression garment over your legs to help minimize swelling or implant shift.
You likely can go home after a short observation period unless you and your aesthetic plastic surgeon have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery.