While some people may claim that “thick thighs save lives”, not everyone feels comfortable with thicker legs. The same goes for a person’s calves.
In a dress or shorts, your calves are constantly on display. If they seem larger or more masculine than you think they should look, it can negatively impact your self-confidence.
Whether you have thick calves due to weight fluctuations or genetic disposition, you may want to look into calf reduction surgery.
Here’s everything you need to know about the process.
Calf Reduction Surgery
Calf reduction slims and contours your legs using invasive procedures. Procedures can streamline musculature in your calf and in some cases eliminate excess fat.
Avant Aesthetics performs calf reduction through multiple different procedures.
Calf liposuction focuses on removing excess fat that has built up in your calves and reveals the muscle underneath. Most commonly, these are referred to as cankles due to the fat covering up your ankles.
Radio-frequency calf reduction is minimally invasive, using radio-frequency to burn away muscle to reduce its size. There’s a minimal recovery time despite it eliminating much of the calves’ bulk.
A partial muscle removal is a surgical option that reshapes the calves and can even help correct leg bowing.
Neurectomy is also used to reduce calf size by using controlled atrophy to shrink away muscles.
For anyone not willing to pull the trigger on any of the more transformative options, a botox calf reduction is an option.
Botox injections can reduce muscle activity and cause it to shrink in select areas temporarily. As such, patients can see for themselves what slimmer calves would look like on them and opt for a more permanent procedure.
Pros and Cons
Calf reduction can slim and define the transition from your ankle to calves, making for a better fit in leggings and jeans. It can tighten loose skin and reduce excess fat.
If you opt for a botox treatment, it’s also noninvasive and low-risk.
However, results for surgical procedures can vary.
Calf reduction can have a negative impact on your knee joints.
Additionally, removing calf muscle is a serious procedure that comes with lengthy recovery time and risks such as blood clots. It can also cause lingering nerve pain and scarring.
Calf Reduction Exercises
If you’re considering calf reduction surgery due to weight loss, one option you should try is targeted calf exercises. Incorporating a few calf muscle exercises a week can help shape your leg and improve your mobility.
Weighted calf raises use dumbells or kettlebells to provide more resistance than just your body weight. Seated calf raises are a great option if your balance isn’t that great.
How to Get Smaller Calves
As calf reduction grows in popularity, an increasing number of clinics are performing these procedures. You can go for the more permanent options or try out some leg shaping with botox.
If you’ve gone as far as you can go with just exercise, consider speaking to a local doctor about your options. For more tips and advice, check out some of our other articles.
