Brazil is known for being one of the world capitals of plastic surgery, and visitors from all over go to Brazil for the cosmetic procedures that cost less than in their home countries. Brazilians also frequently get plastic surgery, and can pay in installments for any procedure, like a face lift or liposuction. The latest trend in Brazilian cosmetic surgery, however, is a bit unusual.

The latest craze is the female calf implant, meant to create more sculpted legs. Known as as panturrilhas in Portuguese, calves are now the focus of some Brazilian women, with a fifty percent increase in this surgical procedure in the past two years. These women are paying R$7,000 to have surgeons place silicone in their legs, and then have to wait two months to fully recover.

Typically, the women who get this surgery are older than thirty, though women as old as sixty are getting the implants, since some of them have taken up dancing and want to feel more secure about the appearance of their legs. After getting the surgery, women report having more self-confidence, and buying shorter skirters and dresses to show off their new calves. Doctors recommend that after the surgery, women should avoid violent sports, like soccer and
martial arts, since a severe hit could cause deformities in the
silicone.

To read more about the procedure in Portuguese, click here.