Breast Reconstruction in Houston, Texas (TX)

The loss of one or both of your breasts from cancer-related mastectomy can be devastating, but reconstruction surgery is available to restore the appearance of your breasts and nipples. Breast reconstruction can involve a combination of implants, transplanted tissue, and medical tattooing to achieve physically and aesthetically pleasing results.

How breast reconstruction is performed

There are two types of breast reconstruction—implant reconstruction that uses silicone or saline implants placed under your chest muscle, and autologous/flap reconstruction that uses transplanted tissue from other areas of your body to recreate your breasts.

Breast reconstruction surgery can involve one or both of these techniques, and can be done during your mastectomy or in later surgeries. Your health team will help you decide which options are best for you.

Breast implant reconstruction
can be a shorter and less complex surgery, and may be a better option if you want to avoid the extra incisions and scarring from flap reconstruction. It may be difficult matching your implant with your natural breast, and implants can sometimes cause future complications. It’s not unusual to require some type of revision or implant replacement surgery after ten years or so.


Autologous/flap reconstruction
can produce a more natural feeling breast, and most women won’t need any future surgeries. Flap reconstruction surgery is more involved though; it requires tissue to be transplanted from areas such as your abdomen or buttocks to your chest. This can mean more scarring and a longer recovery.

Nipple and areola reconstruction

Nipple and areola reconstruction is performed by making small incisions at the site of your nipple and building up the tissue with careful stitching. Your areolas, (the darker circular areas around your nipples), can be recreated with medical tattooing for a very convincing appearance.

Recovery after surgery

Recovery after breast reconstruction may be a significant determining factor in your decision, especially after the difficulty of undergoing breast cancer treatment and mastectomy. Breast implant reconstruction typically has a shorter recovery time compared to autologous/flap reconstruction, but your pain, discomfort, and down-time can vary. Your surgeon can help you with recovery expectations.

Costs

Breast reconstruction is usually covered by health insurance. Factors such as your area, surgeon, and any related anesthesia or facility fees may affect costs. You can speak with your health insurance provider and surgeon to learn what is covered and what your best options are.  


About Kristi Hustak MD

Dr. Hustak was born on an Apache Indian Reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona. Her mother worked as a surgical first assist for an aesthetic plastic surgeon. At 14, Dr. Hustak eagerly watched her first surgery, sparking her passion for the field of medicine.

Dr. Hustak’s training started in Ohio where she lived for 8 years. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with Distinction in Medical Technology from The Ohio State University in 2004. She subsequently enrolled in medical school and completed a medical mission in Trujillo, Peru, where she expanded her international surgical interests. After graduating Magna Cum Laude from The Ohio State University College of Medicine in 2008, Dr. Hustak married her best friend and classmate, Dr. Erik Hustak, and settled in Texas. Together, they have three beautiful children who enrich their lives daily.

For 6 years, Dr. Hustak completed a highly competitive integrated plastic surgery program at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, Texas. She currently holds appointments at several Houston hospitals, including several through the Memorial Hermann System and St. Joseph Medical Center.

Dr. Hustak’s commitment to excellence in the field of plastic surgery is evident. She is an active clinical faculty member in plastic surgery and trains residents from several local academic medical centers in the Houston area as they learn both cosmetic and reconstructive principles. She also serves as a faculty member in the physician healing track at the University Texas Medical Branch, mentoring medical students in the development of their professional identity as doctors and healers.

She is an Assistant Program Director for the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Fellowship, which started in 2016. She is a local authority and national speaker on female genital rejuvenation. She is sought after to share her expertise as an invited speaker for local and national conferences. She has developed several innovative techniques in the field and continues to write and publish, along with her ACPS colleagues, on ways to make procedures better and safer for patients.

Featured Specialist for Breast Reconstruction in Houston, TX

Kristi Hustak MD

Call Now: (713) 354-5145
12727 Kimberley Lane #300
Houston, TX 77027

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