Calf reduction-Below is the Up-to-date Information On Calf Reduction
by Dr. Lih-Ren Jong

Dr. Jong is the pioneer of using shaver to reduce calf muscles. His paper has been published in the world-wide famous journal " Plastic and Reconsturctive Surgery " in  April, 2020. 



 

Dr.Jong was invited as speaker at calf reduction section in 2020 International Annual Meeting of Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr. Jong presented his experiences on calf reduction on 2017 Annual Congress of Taiwan Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

 
 
Thick muscular legs are a common aesthetic problem for Asian women.  The Chinese use the term "radish-like leg" to describe the problem.  Comparing with Caucasians, Asian women are relatively shorter.  Women with "radish-like legs" look shorter or more obese than they really are because of their thick legs.  They are embarrassed to show their legs in the summer time.  Many men feel that legs are an important point of attraction, not less than breasts.

The cause of "radish-like legs" in Asians is usually calf muscle hypertrophy (excessive development), in stead of fat accumulation.  This is different from protruded abdomen, buttocks, and thighs, which are often due to increased fat accumulation and can therefore be effectively treated with liposuction.  However, liposuction is ineffective to treat calf muscle hypertrophy because the problem is the muscle, not fat.  Doctor and Professor Ing Gon Kim in Seoul, South Korea, is a pioneer of calf reduction using small incisions and partial excision of leg muscles.  In 1999, Dr. Lih-Ren Jong, director of Lih-Ren Cosmetic Clinic, studied with Professor Kim and  modified Dr. Kim's technique. 

An overview of the anatomy and function of the calf muscles and the various techniques to treat calf muscle hypertrophy are presented below. 
　

What is the ideal size of calves? The analysis of ideal size of legs focus on Oriental women with average 162cm height and 49 kg weight showed that the ideal circumference of calf at its widest part is 32 cm. 

Calf reduction should consider not only the postoperative size but also the shape and function.  There are three ways to reduce the size of  legs: non-surgical (Botox injection ), minimal invasive way ( radiofrequency) and surgical (i.e. selective neurectomy, total excision of gastrocnemius and partial excision of gastrocnemius and Sol).