How can I make my calves smaller?

[ooh_la]

my question to Dr:

Also, please tell me that this article below is not the procedure we are looking at? http://www.zimbio.com/Cosmetic+Surg.../Class+action+Suit+Prevails+Against+2+Plastic

Dr's answer:

The article was written wrongly because the jounalist couldn't differentiate partial resection of Gastrocnemius muscle and nerve ablation.
As you can read, the doctors who were suited performed nerve ablation which can cause severe neuralgia and many complications.
That's the reason why I don't perform nerve ablation which is not effective and is more dangerous.
Partial resection of Gastrocnemius deals only muscle, not nerve.

Thanks for asking Dr. Park about this!
My main concern, however, is not the english article, but the two Korean links I attached below. What does Dr. Park think about them?

 

[ooh_la]

Hi girls,
For those of you who have undergone the surgery, I was curious if recovery is complete enough at around 2 months post-op for you to climb stairs without discomfort. Thanks!

 

[ffxlulu]

Hi girls,

I have spent months to finish reading this post. I am EXTREMELY OBSESSED with calf reduction surgery. I have been very self conscious about my calves. I will never wear skirts/shorts without boots. I hate how I cannot wear nice dresses especially to WEdDINgs/ balls/ etc..

To be honest, I feel very uncomfortable while reading this forum. All the muscle spasms, and pain, injections.. etc.. makes me feel dizzy.. But I just know I have to overcome this fear in order to reduce my calves..

I believe I am born with big calves, since both all my family members do have this trait. Not only I have the problem with big calves, but also BUNIONS.

Because of bunions, this creates the 'bow' shape for my legs. I also know my knees aren't performing perfectly. Because I was an athlete before and I have injured my knees a lot. I was also told that the weakness of my knees causes my calves to appear more bigger

So far, in order to reduce my calves non-surgically is stop exercising (except yoga and pilates), using slimming gel (evenings & mornings), and wearing slimming socks. I actually think they work (temporary), but I am still not satisfied by my bulky muscles. I know the ultimate solution is to do surgery. (I don't have time to massage my calves for 30 min everyday)

I have a couple questions to ask you girls who did the surgery.

1. Which doctor did you guys go to?
2. What is your before & after calve sizes
3. Do you guys have bunion problems?
burlingtonorthotics.ca/orthotics/images/bunion.jpg
4. Do you feel that you use more strength on the knees?
5. Do you feel unbalanced while walking?
6. For those who went to Dr. Jong. He emailed me saying how you can't jump as high and stuff. Is that a big difference?
7. I am considering saving $ to go to Korea/Taipei for surgery, if I were to go, how much $ should I save for surgery/food/hotel/transportation/shopping(just a bit)

.jpgThanks!

 

[gingersnaps99]

So you feel completely normal?
And do you have any regrets?

I'm glad that your surgery went well.

I feel better than normal - after years of hiding my legs I can now wear short skirts and skinny jeans and not feel self conscious! My only regret is that I did not find out about the surgery earlier.

 

[girliciousgirl]

I feel better than normal - after years of hiding my legs I can now wear short skirts and skinny jeans and not feel self conscious! My only regret is that I did not find out about the surgery earlier.

I wish I could know what it feels like to not be self-conscious of my calves. I'm happy for you.
Hopefully I can convince my mother to give me the financial and moral support that I need in order to do this surgery.


Anyways, what are your before and after measurements? And is the visual appearance of your calves obviously different than before?

I hope you don't mind all the questions!

 

[jackkki]

I feel better than normal - after years of hiding my legs I can now wear short skirts and skinny jeans and not feel self conscious! My only regret is that I did not find out about the surgery earlier.

currently,
did your calves get any bigger from the initial post op of 32-33cm?

 

[gsykes]

Just a FYI, in the calf resection procedure, muscle is REMOVED.
Once part of a muscle is removed, it can't grow back, so for anyone who is worried about whether their muscle will grow back to 42cm from 36cm or something, do not fret, because those muscles cannot and will not grow back.

From all the feedback I've read on Dr. Park's calf resection surgeries (OZ clinic), it is the best option to choose.
The recovery period does last around 10 days, and it will be the most painful of the options, but few, if no complications have come up in his patients.

For those considering nerve ablation or some other method, understand that complications include having one side of your calves actually get bigger or even paralysis.
Some patients who get those other procedures eventually end up going back to the clinic to get the calf resection anyway since it is the method that removes the most circumference around the calf area.

I am actually considering getting the surgery this summer, and my mother (who is Korean) has been chatting with Dr. Park. I've also been talking to him as well. My mother knows I've struggled with my huge calves (42m in circumference)... I even went on to run 7 miles a day in hopes of leaning out the muscle and removing fat, but they stayed the same while the rest of my body got skinnier. I feel that I'll finally be able to feel comfortable in my own skin.. It's so embarrassing to go to the store with my mom and try on leather boots, only to have the zipper get stuck halfway... I'm a really sensitive person, too, so sometimes I'll let out a little tear or two. It's the same thing for pants; I want to wear normal pants!! I'm tired of bell-bottoms lol.

So I'm also wondering what I should bring for the trip. I'm not sure if Dr. Park offers compression stockings for the calves post-op, but I think the clinic sells them. I do believe you can get same quality compression stockings at a more affordable price via Amazon.com, so be sure to check all options beforehand if you want to save more money (and spend more while in Korea lol).

 

[lil_tiga]

hi i've just been trying to find out as much information as posible, cos actually finding impartial advice is VERY hard!!! so i've been asking a plastic surgeon some questions, maybe it will help some of you: http://www.lookyourbestuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=46513&p=476441#p476441

Also I found a blog of someone detailing the process for the first few days, to be honest there aren't many pictures but it is still useful: http://get-smaller-calves.blogspot.co.uk/

actually this is one thing that bugs me apart Dr park's post-op pictures, the curvature of the inside of the calf is always much lower, i guess beggers can't be choosers though!!

Also please be careful on the long haul flight and remember to do excercises because the risk of blood clots is increased after surgery

 

[ooh_la]

Just a FYI, in the calf resection procedure, muscle is REMOVED.
Once part of a muscle is removed, it can't grow back, so for anyone who is worried about whether their muscle will grow back to 42cm from 36cm or something, do not fret, because those muscles cannot and will not grow back.

From all the feedback I've read on Dr. Park's calf resection surgeries (OZ clinic), it is the best option to choose.
The recovery period does last around 10 days, and it will be the most painful of the options, but few, if no complications have come up in his patients.

For those considering nerve ablation or some other method, understand that complications include having one side of your calves actually get bigger or even paralysis.
Some patients who get those other procedures eventually end up going back to the clinic to get the calf resection anyway since it is the method that removes the most circumference around the calf area.

I am actually considering getting the surgery this summer, and my mother (who is Korean) has been chatting with Dr. Park. I've also been talking to him as well. My mother knows I've struggled with my huge calves (42m in circumference)... I even went on to run 7 miles a day in hopes of leaning out the muscle and removing fat, but they stayed the same while the rest of my body got skinnier. I feel that I'll finally be able to feel comfortable in my own skin.. It's so embarrassing to go to the store with my mom and try on leather boots, only to have the zipper get stuck halfway... I'm a really sensitive person, too, so sometimes I'll let out a little tear or two. It's the same thing for pants; I want to wear normal pants!! I'm tired of bell-bottoms lol.

So I'm also wondering what I should bring for the trip. I'm not sure if Dr. Park offers compression stockings for the calves post-op, but I think the clinic sells them. I do believe you can get same quality compression stockings at a more affordable price via Amazon.com, so be sure to check all options beforehand if you want to save more money (and spend more while in Korea lol).

Gsykes,
I'm in a similar situation! My calves are also 40 cm-ish. They were always out of proportion with the rest of my body, even when I was severely underweight.
May I ask how old you are? I'm college-age and am hoping to get this procedure done over the summer in the next few years. This summer is definitely out of the question. My parents (who are Korean) are completely against it.

 

[Mangochutney]

Hi,
for everyone who was asking about compression stockings.. Dr Park will give you one pair for free (you may normally choose the color as well ) If you want second one you will have to buy them. But you also will not be able to put them on already the first days after the surgery due to the swelling. Also, Dr Park advises to start wearing them only if your calves don't need to be aspirated anymore.

 

[christy2]

I feel better than normal - after years of hiding my legs I can now wear short skirts and skinny jeans and not feel self conscious! My only regret is that I did not find out about the surgery earlier.

For those who have taken the plunge and undergone surgery please can you tell me..... how long would you waitbefore going on holiday, to allow for bruising and swelling to subside so that it isn't noticeable to others?

 

[scaredcat]

Girls, due to a banking error, I have a huge amount of Korean Won. Does anyone need? Im in London and I can sell you at below the rate. And now, I have to figure out what to do because I do not have any Korean Won when I fly on Tuesday. You see, the money is available to collect only on Tuesday! Any advice, pls PM.

 

[lil_tiga]

i'm pretty sure this has been asked before but how long after the surgery until you can exercise? there's a dance class i want to join but it starts about 2/3 weeks after i'm hoping to have the surgery hmmm...also how long did everyone wear the compression socks for? do i really have to wear them 24/7 for 3 months!!! and good luck scaredcat!! please keep us updated

 

[gingersnaps99]

I wish I could know what it feels like to not be self-conscious of my calves. I'm happy for you.
Hopefully I can convince my mother to give me the financial and moral support that I need in order to do this surgery.


Anyways, what are your before and after measurements? And is the visual appearance of your calves obviously different than before?

I hope you don't mind all the questions!

I don't mind the questions at all! My before measurement was around 35.5 or 36 (I can't remember exactly anymore). Since then it has ranged between 32 and 33cm. I still had a bit of swelling until about 13 or 14 months post-op, but very little relative to the first few months immediately after the surgery. The visual difference is huge! I really noticed the difference when I went from not being able to zip up knee high boots to having them be slightly loose when I tried them on.

 

[gingersnaps99]

currently,
did your calves get any bigger from the initial post op of 32-33cm?

no, they stayed the same size but are a bit more defined now that the swelling is gone