The headline of a recent news article we read was, let’s admit it, quite striking: “El drama del ‘pantobillo.’”
It wasn’t about any infectious calamity or a disaster caused by bacteria, but rather a muscular hypertrophy in the lower legs that causes the calves and ankles to have nearly the same circumference.
In other words: legs like columns and wide ankles.
And what the article was really about was a cosmetic surgery procedure that is becoming increasingly common: calf reduction.
What are cankles or wide ankles?
Because “cankles” (since someone coined the term, let’s use it) are more than just an aesthetic issue—in certain cases, they cause self-consciousness.
As strange as it may seem to some, the size and shape of the calves can be a source of great discomfort and insecurity. And physical exercise is not enough to shape them as desired. This applies to both men and women.
That’s why many people with thin, straight calves turn to implants—or, in certain cases (when the patient also has thick muscles and knees), to implants combined with liposculpture of the legs and knees.
Implants of what? And how?
The answer to the first question is: silicone gel implants. Calf augmentation is a surgical procedure in which silicone gel implants are inserted, usually in both calves (symmetry should not be overlooked), with the goal of shaping the legs and increasing calf volume.
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The “how” requires a more detailed explanation. The first step is to measure the area where the implant will be placed, in order to adapt it to the patient’s anatomy; then, the pocket must be marked and calculated—this is the space where the implant will be inserted.
Next, a horizontal incision of about four centimeters is made on the back of the knee, and the implant is placed beneath the superficial fascia of the inner calf muscle, so that it becomes integrated into the muscle structure. Finally, the incision is closed in layers with an intradermal suture.
What is the postoperative period like after cankle surgery?
After leaving the operating room following cosmetic surgery, the patient is fitted with compression stockings. It is recommended that they stand up and even take a few steps immediately; however, to prevent excessive swelling, it is advisable to rest with the legs elevated. In any case, normal daily activity can usually resume within 48 hours.
If you would like more information, contact our team at Clínicas Fernández Blanco by calling 915 54 09 24 (Madrid) or 952 850 468 (Marbella, Málaga).
Dr. Alfredo Fernández Blanco
The plastic surgeon Dr. Alfredo Fernandez Blanco stands out in his branch of medicine, as the best breast surgeon, he is also a pioneer in the so-called secondary surgeries or sequelae. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of successful cases, he continues to achieve the most natural results that can be expected in a cosmetic surgery operation.
