The only guaranteed way to slim genetically large calves is via surgery. There are several forms of surgery that can improve the appearance of your calves, but liposuction is the best. It is less invasive than other forms of surgery, such as muscle resection. It also allows the creation of a sculpted result for a more attractive silhouette.
Why Do I Have Large Calves?
There are several reasons why you may have large calves. Obesity is one possible cause. If you are generally overweight, your calves may carry excess fat. Being pregnant or suffering from certain health conditions can also result in large calves. Eating too much salty food can make your calves appear puffy and oversized. However, the primary cause of large calves is down to your genes. If your close relatives have big calves, you probably will too. If you inherited your calves, dieting and exercise cannot help. In such cases, surgery is the only way to make your calves smaller and more attractive.
Also Read: Should I Have Calves Liposuction or Calf Reduction Surgery?
Can Exercise Improve My Large Calves?
If you read articles in magazines or online, you may see that so-called experts recommend specific exercises. Exercise enthusiasts suggest calf raises, squats, running, jump rope, and weight-bearing leg exercises. In many cases, though, exercise cannot improve the size of large calves. If you are generally overweight, working out may help to slim your body overall. In turn, this can make your calves look slimmer. If you have genetically large calves, though, exercise won’t help. In fact, it could even make your calves look worse. Building up the muscles in the calves may result in them appearing bulkier and larger than ever.
Do Only Overweight Women Have Large Calves?
There is a general misconception that only overweight women have large calves. In fact, this is far from the case. Slim women can have genetically large calves too. That is because, in many cases, large calves are nothing to do with obesity. Genetics dictates the shape of your body and where and how fat is stored. You cannot alter that without surgery. That’s why even women who are very slim or even underweight may have larger calves. Dieting and exercising won’t improve genetically large calves. Slim women who try this may end up making their calves look even bigger in proportion to their bodies.
Which Surgical Procedures Slim Down Large Calves?
There are a number of surgical procedures that may help to slim down large calves. They include:
- Muscle resection – this is a drastic and invasive surgery. It involves cutting away part of the calf muscle. Clearly, it is a permanent solution to the problem. However, some patients find that they experience mobility issues and pain afterward. There is also a significant recovery period.
- Botox injections – this treatment involves injecting the calf muscle with botulinum toxin. That is the same kind of injection used to remove wrinkles on the face. The injection paralyzes the muscle in the calf. As a result, it appears smaller. It is only a temporary treatment. You need regular ongoing top-up injections to maintain the result.
- Selective neurectomy – this is a treatment that involves severing the nerves to the calf muscle. When the muscle no longer receives nerve signals, it starts to atrophy. As a result, it becomes smaller over time. It is a permanent solution, but it can cause long-term issues with hypertrophy in the surrounding muscles.
- Liposuction – liposuction of the calves is becoming increasingly popular. It is a minimally invasive solution that produces excellent results. The surgeon permanently removes the excess fat in the calf area through suction. They then sculpt the calf into a more attractive shape. The results will be permanent so long as the patient maintains a healthy and active lifestyle in the long term.
- Nerve & Muscle Ablation – this procedure involves burning away part of the calf muscle and the nerves that supply it. It can be effective, but it requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired result.
Liposuction is the best of these options. It is less invasive than drastic options like muscle resection and longer lasting than Botox. It also produces beautifully sculpted results.
What Is Recovery From Calf Liposuction Like?
Recovery from calf liposuction is usually relatively easy. Patients generally return to normal activities and work within a couple of weeks. To achieve optimal results, the patient must follow the surgeon’s instructions carefully. They must wear their compression garment as prescribed and avoid strenuous exercise. They must also avoid swimming or bathing until given the all clear. Results should be visible within a couple of months, and the final result should be visible within 6 – 12 months.
Can Any Cosmetic Surgeon Offer Calf Lipo?
Not all cosmetic surgeons treat the legs because they’re tricky to treat. The tissues around the calf and ankle are very fibrous. That makes them hard to sculpt evenly. You need a specialist to deliver this procedure. Dr. Su at ArtLipo is an expert in this field. He uses a 360 lipo procedure on the calves to produce a beautifully smooth, even, and attractive outcome. Take a look at his before and after images now to see his impressive results.
