Leg Muscle on Demand

During NBC’s premiere of “Providence,” Dr. Sydney Hansen brags about bobbing a Hollywood starlet’s nose. Where has she been? The hot plastic surgery these days is below the waist--calf augmentations, to be exact--and is performed to round out so-called chicken legs.

According to Dr. Sean Younai of Encino, some people have tight fascia (the “stocking” around the muscle), which prevents their muscles from getting bigger. No matter how much they work out, their calves will never become curvaceous on their own.

The plastic and reconstructive surgeon says the outpatient procedure is fairly simple: Cut the fascia, and allow the muscle to grow more. In addition, solid silicon implants are put in the calf. Because the muscle is not touched, the patient is usually back to work in a few days.

The majority of calf customers are men who work out, Younai says. He warns those interested in the procedure, which costs about $5,000, to find a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who really knows how to do this.

“There are a lot of nerve sensations involved and potential damage to the muscle,” he says. “I always tell my patients, ‘It’s a not a life and death surgery, so you better do your homework.’ If you’re going to have it done, do it right.”