Dr. Hustak | Plastic Surgeon | Cosmetic Surgeon | Katy

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Liposuction is a popular body contouring and fat reduction cosmetic surgery procedure. While the procedure is relatively less invasive, it still involves a considerable recovery process. Recovery is as much important to the success of the procedure as any other stage in liposuction. The patient should be prepared to diligently follow the surgeon’s advice about recovery in order to achieve safe and desirable results.

Dr. Kristi Hustak is a board certified female plastic surgeon providing liposuction and other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. During the pre-operative consultation, Dr. Hustak will discuss all aspects of liposuction, including its estimated recovery. Patients should ask questions and clear all doubts pertaining to recovery at this stage. Dr. Hustak provides liposuction to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

Length of Recovery Period

The patient should be prepared for a downtime of at least three to seven days following liposuction plastic surgery. In case of extensive fat reduction from multiple areas, the downtime may extend up to two weeks.

Patients who invest in advance planning for the recovery will usually experience a smoother and faster recovery process. They should perform short walks at home from the second day to promote blood flow and expedite healing.

First 24 Hours

Liposuction is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, and the patient should have someone to drive them back home after the surgery. Someone should available to stay overnight and assist the patient in the first 24 to 48 hours with basic household chores. The patient should take plenty of rest in the first one to two days.

The surgeon may prescribe pain medications for a few days to keep the patient comfortable. Antibiotics and iron supplements may also be prescribed in some cases. Smoking and use of blood thinning medications must be strictly avoided in the initial period following the surgery. In some cases, the surgeon may call the patient the next day of the surgery for the first post-op appointment and review.

First Week

In the first week, bruising and swelling will be more pronounced, but will start subsiding in the second week. The patient should perform only light activities during this period, stay at home, and avoid putting any strain in the incision areas. Numbness in the treated area may be felt, which will gradually disappear on its own.

The surgeon will require the patient to wear a compression garment through the first week or more. Sutures and drain tubes may be removed around the end of first week. Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for liposuction.

Long-term Recovery

Post-operative swelling will take several weeks or months to completely disappear. Patients can usually return to their regular activities from the second week, but vigorous exercises and heavy lifting of weights should be avoided for another two to three weeks.

As the swelling gets completely eliminated, the patient will be able to see the full results of liposuction. The eliminated fat cells will not reappear in the same area, but the patient should maintain an active and healthy lifestyle for prolonged benefits.

For more information on procedures and treatments provided by board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak please call us to schedule a consultation at 713.322.7265 or click here. Offices in Houston, Texas.

Liposuction is the most popular body contouring cosmetic surgery procedure designed to reduce unwanted fat from specific areas. At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss all aspects of liposuction surgery, and may also present liposuction before and after photographs.

The first concern of the surgeon will be to educate the patient about liposuction and its potential benefits. Patients should make a well-informed decision after considering all aspects. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides liposuction to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

What are Liposuction Before and After Images?

Before and after images in case of liposuction plastic surgery refer to a pair or group of pictures belonging to an earlier patient who has received the same surgery with good results. The pictures include images taken before the surgery and after the surgery at a stage when the post-operative healing is completed and full effects of liposuction have appeared.

The surgeon will take care to ensure that the photographs are obtained with the patient’s proper consent. The patient’s identity may be kept confidential and the photos will be presented in a discreet manner before new patients. The only goal of the surgeon in this case is to explain the potential effectiveness of liposuction to new patients and help them make an informed choice.

Advantages

Liposuction body contouring may be performed in a single area or multiple areas. Different surgical techniques may be adopted to achieve the patient’s unique aesthetic goals. For a new patient, it can be difficult at times to make the right decisions about the choice of technique, the extent of fat removal and the number of areas to be treated.

When the patient has access to liposuction before and after photos, they will be in a better position to visualize the effects and make more appropriate choices. The surgeon will usually encourage the patient to review as many before and after photos as possible in order to make the best decisions.

Reasonable Expectations

Experienced surgeons know that patients who have a positive frame of mind, clear cosmetic goals and reasonable expectations will usually achieve the highest satisfaction levels from any aesthetic procedure. Therefore, the surgeon may prefer to provide liposuction before and after photos at the very first appointment.

Once the patient has reviewed the photos, they will know clearly what to expect and what not to expect from the procedure. Liposuction is not a weight loss surgery, but only a fat reduction procedure. When the patient is clear on all aspects, it will mitigate the risk of any misunderstanding or disappointment occurring at a later stage.

Online Images

An independent plastic surgery practitioner would generally have their own practice website where they can upload liposuction before and after photos for free access to all. The surgeon may also choose to disseminate information and photos via their social media accounts such as Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, and perhaps even other social media outlets. Experienced female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for liposuction.

Digital technology has changed the game for every industry. This technology has brought clarity to many peoples’ lives and businesses as well. The plastic surgery community is none different; they have embraced this technology for good reason. Now their time can be spared and the understanding of the patient can be improved mightily.

Now there is less ambiguity and anyone considering liposuction will have a better grasp on what they are about to sign up for. The surgeon and his staff will not have to spend that much time showing the potential patient pictures via a brochure or any other means. Now anyone can see fabulous and salient pictures via the surgeon’s business website.

Cost is an important starting point for many patients seeking liposuction cosmetic surgery. The procedure is usually elective in nature, and the health insurance will not cover the costs. During the pre-op consultation, the surgeon will explain various aspects of liposuction, including its estimated costs.

A dedicated surgeon will first try to ensure that the patient has clear information on all aspects of the procedure, and makes a well-considered decision. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides liposuction to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

Liposuction & Your Bank Account

Several factors will go into determining the actual sticker price of liposuction plastic surgery. Some of the key factors include:

Size of Treatment Area

When liposuction is performed over larger areas such as the abdomen, back or chest, the monetary amount of procedure is likely to be more than when it is performed on smaller areas such as the knees, ankles, or calves. If the location is difficult to reach, such as below the chin, the cost may be a little higher.

Number of Treatment Areas

If liposuction is performed in multiple areas, the overall dollar amount will increase. Sometimes the procedure may be combined with other surgeries such as tummy tuck or body lift. The overall cost of the procedure will go up in such cases.

Body Type

Each individual has a different body type, requiring different levels of fat reduction to achieve their cosmetic goals. The dollar figure of the procedure may be higher for patients with a larger body type.

Surgical Technique

In case of laser, ultrasound or RF assisted liposuction procedures the price tag may be a little higher than that of traditional techniques.

Surgeon’s Skills

The surgeon may charge a fee according to their skills, training and experience. Patients should ideally choose a fully trained and board certified surgeon for a procedure such as liposuction.

Geographical Location

The dollar amount of liposuction will vary from one practice to another depending on the practice location. Costs are usually higher in prime metropolitan centers because of the higher average cost of living.

Additional Costs

The patient should consider all financial factors associated with liposuction, which may include:

Costs of anesthesia
Operating Room costs
Pre- and post-operative tests
Compression garments
Prescription medications
Post-op visits to the surgeon’s office

Investing in Safety and Aesthetics

While selecting a surgeon for liposuction, the patient should have safety, health and aesthetics as the top priorities. The sticker price for the surgery will be forgotten quickly, but the results will last for a long time. The patient’s goal should be to achieve lasting satisfaction from the procedure and minimize the risks and complications involved. Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and other nearby areas.

Third-party Financing

Specialized medical financing firms offer loans to finance cosmetic procedures that are not covered by health insurers. These firms have custom tailored credit programs to meet the needs of patients. The patient can expect to have quick loan approvals, competitive interest rates, and small monthly installments spread over up to five years.

Liposuction currently ranks as the second most popular cosmetic surgery procedure in the US after breast augmentation. Over the years, liposuction techniques have become safer and less invasive. Reduced discomfort and downtime and minimal scarring have made liposuction the procedure of choice for patients who want to eliminate excess fat tissue from the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, flanks, and other areas.

Dr. Kristi Hustak is a board certified female plastic surgeon providing a wide range of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Dr. Hustak will customize liposuction to match with the patient’s unique anatomical and cosmetic needs. She provides liposuction surgery to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

Who is a Candidate?

Adults who are unhappy with the appearance of unsightly fat deposits in specific areas of the body that are resistant to exercise and diet will usually make good candidates for liposuction plastic surgery. The candidate should have a solid overall health and stable weight, which should be preferably within 25 pounds of their ideal body weight.

The surgeon will also evaluate the skin elasticity condition to determine whether liposuction can achieve the desired goals as a standalone procedure. Pregnant or nursing women, and people with pre-existing medical conditions that could interfere with the surgery or healing may have to avoid liposuction surgery.

Liposuction Techniques

Liposuction can be performed using various surgical techniques. The surgeon will determine the right technique after evaluating different factors, including the patient’s personal goals.

Traditional Liposuction

The surgeon may apply traditional liposuction technique when a significant amount of fat reduction is involved. The procedure may be performed using general or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Through discreetly placed incisions in the targeted area, the surgeon will insert a cannula into the deeper fat layers. The cannula will be gently manipulated back and forth to dislodge stubborn fat cells and suctioned out with a pump attached to the other end of the cannula.

Tumescent Liposuction

This is the common technique to perform liposuction in a less invasive manner. It involves the use of only local anesthesia. The surgeon will inject lidocaine, epinephrine and saline solution into the affected fat layers. The solution will swell the fat cells, enabling their easier isolation and removal. Following the fat removal, the incisions will be closed with sutures.

Ultrasound Liposuction

This innovative technique involves the use of a cannula that delivers ultrasonic waves into the targeted area. The energy generates gentle heat in the fat layers to liquefy the targeted fat cells. This allows for easier removal of larger and denser fat tissue in a less invasive way. Female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for liposuction.

Laser Liposuction

Several laser based devices are available today to perform laser assisted liposuction. The laser energy can be targeted in a precise and controlled manner to liquefy the fat cells, and facilitate their removal in a less invasive way.

Recovery

Most patients will be able to return to their normal routine in about a week to 10 days. Full results will establish over several weeks or months as the swelling is completely eliminated.

In case of tummy tuck cosmetic surgery, one of the three primary surgical approaches may be adopted: mini, standard, and extensive. Depending on the extent of surgery, the recovery process and downtime will vary.

Dr. Kristi Hustak is a board certified female plastic surgeon providing tummy tuck and various other procedures to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations. Dr. Hustak will discuss the recovery aspect in detail during the initial consultation.

First Two Weeks after Surgery

In case of standard as well as extended tummy tuck plastic surgery, drainage tubes will usually be placed below the skin to help prevent fluid buildup at the incision site. The tubes may be removed along with sutures in about seven to 10 days after the surgery. The patient will be required to wear a special support garment in the treated area to further prevent the fluid buildup.

The patient will not remain immobilized during the early recovery phase, and they will be encouraged to perform mild walks within the home and carry out simple daily activities. This will minimize the risk of harmful blood clotting. Lifting of heavy weights, vigorous exercises or bending should be avoided for a few weeks so that undue strain is not placed on the incisions.

Incisions will usually get sufficiently healed in about two weeks, and the patient can resume daily routine or return to work. Those who have sedentary jobs can return to work earlier. Experienced female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Follow-up Appointments

In many cases, the surgeon may want the patient to visit the day after tummy tuck surgery to fully evaluate their condition. The support garment may be fitted during this appointment. After the first appointment, further follow-ups may be scheduled on a weekly basis. Depending on the patient’s healing and their individual risk factors, the follow-ups may be determined.

Avoiding Smoking during Recovery

Nicotine, which is a key ingredient in tobacco, has the potential to significantly compromise the body’s healing ability. Tummy tuck is a major procedure involving incisions, excess skin removal, tightening of the underlying muscles and liposuction.

Therefore, a patient who smokes will have to make a commitment to refrain from smoking before and after the surgery for several weeks. This will reduce the risk of delayed recovery and help to ensure that the oxygen in the blood flow is not compromised.

Pain Management and Other Medications

Some degree of pain and soreness in the incision areas is expected after tummy tuck surgery. The surgeon will usually prescribe pain medications to keep the patient comfortable during this period. Some surgeons may administer an injectable painkiller that offers three to four days of relief and avoids the need for oral drugs.

Bowel movement should be well-maintained after a tummy tuck surgery. Therefore, the surgeon may recommend that the patient take laxatives during the initial recovery phase. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to further reduce the infection risk. Medications should be followed precisely as advised by the surgeon.

Excessive accumulation of fat tissue and sagging skin in the abdominal area is a common occurrence among both women and men. Tummy tuck is an established cosmetic surgery procedure to improve abdominal contours and restore a flatter and firmer tummy. During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain all aspects of the procedure to the patient.

The surgeon may also present tummy tuck before and after photographs at the first appointment to enable the patient to learn about the procedure’s potential effectiveness. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides tummy tuck to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

What are Tummy Tuck Before and After Photographs?

Before and after photographs in case tummy tuck plastic surgery procedure refer to images belonging to a previous patient who has received the same surgery with successful results. The photographs are taken before the procedure and after the procedure at a time when the bruising and swelling has subsided and full effects of tummy tuck have appeared.

The surgeon will take care to ensure that the photographs are obtained with the patient’s proper consent and presented before new patients in a discreet manner. The identity of the patient can be kept undisclosed on their request. The surgeon’s only purpose behind this endeavor is to use tummy tuck before and after images as a visual tool to help new patients make an informed decision.

Benefits

Tummy tuck is a major procedure involving significant risks, costs, discomfort and downtime. Therefore, it is natural for a new patient to feel concerned or unsure about going ahead with this elective surgery. The surgeon can address all the concerns of the patient more effectively with the help of tummy tuck before and after photos.

Decisions such as the type of surgical technique, and whether tummy tuck should be performed alone or in conjunction with another procedure, can be taken more accurately when the patient has a clear understanding of all aspects. Therefore, experienced surgeons prefer that their patients should review as many before and after photos as possible.

Keeping Reasonable Expectations

Highest patient satisfaction levels in any cosmetic procedure such as tummy tuck are usually achieved when the patient has an affirmative mindset, clear aesthetic priorities, and reasonable expectations. When the surgeon presents tummy tuck plastic surgery before and after photos at the very outset, the patient will know exactly what the procedure can or cannot do for them.

This will mitigate the risk of any disappointments or misunderstandings occurring at a later stage. Patients are likely to be more satisfied with the outcomes. Experienced female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Website Images

If the surgeon has their own practice website, they can easily present tummy tuck before and after images in a dedicated Photo Gallery section. These photos can also be presented via social image sharing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+. New patients can review the photos online and then choose whether to seek a personal tummy tuck consultation.

The power of digital technology is immense. Now you can find out exactly what to expect before you even speak with the Dr. Hustak. You can formulate exactly what to expect before you sign any paperwork. There is not one industry in the world that has not benefitted from the power of digital technology and the plastic surgery community is certainly an industry that has utilized this game changing advancement. Much to the happiness of the patients and the surgeon, anxieties have been mitigated since now patients can look at the website pictures and have a fantastic grasp on how a Tummy tuck will look like on them.

Tummy tuck, clinically called abdominoplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure involving removal of excess abdominal skin and fat, and tightening of weak abdominal muscles. The patient should have a strong understanding of all aspects of this procedure, including its estimated costs, before making a decision.

During the pre-operative consultation, the patient should feel free to ask any questions related to the costs, payment, insurance and financing of tummy tuck surgery. Dr. Kristi Hustak is a board certified female plastic surgeon providing abdominoplasty and other procedures to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

Factors Affecting the Price

The price of abdominoplasty can vary between two practices, and sometimes, may even vary between two patients at the same practice. Several factors will go into determining the actual cost.

Where the Practice is Located

Geographical location of the practice will impact the overall cost of tummy tuck plastic surgery. The living cost index generally varies from one place to another, which will influence the average cost of most types of goods and services, including aesthetic services. Major cities and busy urban centers typically have a higher cost of living than smaller towns in interior areas.

Fee Charged by the Surgeon

The surgeon will usually charge a fee according to their qualifications, certifications and recognition in the area of abdominoplasty. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends that a patient should select the best surgeon for their needs, and treat factors such as surgeon’s fee as only secondary considerations.

Surgical Venue and Anesthesia Costs

A traditional abdominoplasty will usually be performed with the patient under general anesthesia. This will entail additional costs because the services of an anesthesiologist or a registered anesthetist nurse will be involved. Tummy tuck will be performed either at a hospital or an ambulatory surgical center or private surgical suite. The costs and benefits in each of these options will vary.

The patient should also consider post-operative costs such as prescription medications, medical tests, compression garments, and visits to the surgeon’s office. Experienced female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for tummy tuck surgery.

Extent of Surgery

The complexity and length of abdominoplasty procedure can vary from one patient to another depending on their anatomical and cosmetic goals. Patients who choose substantive procedures such as traditional, extended or circumferential abdominoplasty will usually have to bear a higher cost than a patient who only wants a partial abdominoplasty.

In some cases, liposuction, breast lift or another surgical or non-surgical procedure may be combined with abdominoplasty. This will push up the overall sticker price of this surgery.

Insurance and Financing

Although tummy tuck surgery is an elective procedure, and does not usually get covered under health insurance, but in exceptional cases, it may be a medical necessity to perform this procedure. Insurance coverage may be possible in such cases.

All other patients can have the option to get the procedure financed through third party medical care financing companies or other sources such as credit cards, personal borrowings, or traditional bank loans.

Female Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak was recently featured in Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine to discuss labiaplasty vaginal rejuvenation in her article “Does My Vagina Look Normal? Is My Labia Ok?”

The article describes how labiaplasty vaginal rejuvenation has become one of the fastest growing plastic surgery procedures, addressing both cosmetic and functionality concerns for women.

Abdominoplasty, popularly known as tummy tuck, is a cosmetic surgery procedure aimed at creating a firmer and flatter abdominal contour. The surgery involves removal of loose skin and excess fat deposits from the abdominal area. Sometimes the underlying abdominal muscles may also be tightened as a part of the procedure.

The patient should choose a qualified and fully trained plastic surgeon for a major surgery such as tummy tuck. The final outcome will depend to a significant extent on this decision made by the patient. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides tummy tuck to patients in Houston, Texas and surrounding locations.

Candidacy

A solid candidate for tummy tuck will typically be an adult in good general health, and having unsightly abdominal contour due to excessive loose skin, fat or sagging abdominal muscles. The patient’s body weight should ideally be moderate and stable. A decent candidate will be a non-smoker or prepared to quit smoking as directed by the surgeon, and will have realistic expectations from the results.

Surgical Techniques

Traditional Abdominoplasty

Traditional tummy tuck is the most common plastic surgery procedure, involving a hip to hip incision, apart from small incisions around the navel. The procedure is designed to improve the entire abdominal region, and also reposition the navel to a more youthful level. Patients seeking substantive enhancement of abdominal contours can choose this procedure.

Partial Abdominoplasty

Mini tummy tuck or partial abdominoplasty will involve only a single small incision. The procedure will focus on improving only the lower abdominal area. It is more of a maintenance procedure providing subtle enhancement of the lower abdominal contour. Experienced female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas and nearby areas for this procedure.

Endoscopic Abdominoplasty

This is a less invasive technique enabling the surgeon to perform more targeted and precise tummy tuck surgery. Through a small incision, the surgeon will insert a tiny camera into the deeper fat layers, with the other end attached to an endoscope. The surgeon can see the underlying muscular structure on a screen to perform the procedure.

Extended Abdominoplasty

This form of tummy tuck surgery involves reduction of skin and fat from the abdominal area, and additionally reduces skin and fat from the flanks or love handles from either side of the waist. A larger surface area can be treated with this technique than traditional tummy tuck.

Circumferential Abdominoplasty

If the patient suffers from large amount of loose skin around the abdomen following a massive weight loss, a circumferential tummy tuck may be performed. The main goal of this procedure is to remove excess skin and enhance abdominal contours. Fat removal is not a primary concern in this procedure.

Recovery

Most patients will be able to return to their regular routine or go to their workplace in about 10 to 14 days. However, heavy lifting of weights, excessive bending, and strenuous activities should be avoided for at least one month. The surgeon may require the patient to wear a compression garment for several weeks to support healing.

While the actual surgical procedure in rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery may only take about two hours, the total journey from preparation to recovery will require a significant time commitment. The patient should particularly follow the surgeon’s care instructions during the recovery period carefully to ensure a speed return to normalcy.

At the time of initial consultation, the surgeon will discuss the estimated recovery period so that the patient can plan for that period appropriately and apply for leave from work in advance. With clear information about the expected downtime, the patient is in a position to make a well-considered decision. Board certified female plastic surgeon Dr. Kristi Hustak provides rhinoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, and surrounding locations.

Recommendations for Recovery

The patient should have someone to drive them back home following rhinoplasty plastic surgery procedure. For the first 24 hours after the surgery, the patient should ideally have someone at home to assist with the basic chores. Working patients should apply for a leave of about one week to ensure adequate rest and recovery during the initial post-operative phase.

The surgeon will provide detailed post-surgical care instructions, which should be followed carefully. A proactive commitment from the patient will help to ensure speedy recovery with minimal pain and discomfort and reduced risk of complications. The patient may use cold compresses or ice therapy as instructed by the surgeon during the early part of recovery.

This will help to cut down the overall recovery period and alleviate swelling faster. Similarly, following a protein-rich diet, keeping the head elevated and performing mild activities will help to expedite recovery. Leading female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Hustak receives patients from Houston, Texas, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.

Post-Operative 48 Hours

The patient is likely to feel soreness, irritation and pain in the incision areas during the first 24 to 48 hours. General anesthesia effects will also take some time to wear off completely. The surgeon may provide pain meds for the first few days to keep the patient comfortable.

The patient should be prepared for temporary effects such as swelling, bruising, nosebleeds and headaches in the initial period of recovery. The head should be rested in an elevated position as far as possible during the first few days. Bleeding may occur in the first 48 hours, but the patient should refrain from blowing the nose during this period. Mild walks may be started from the second day of the surgery.

Recovery over Two Weeks

At the end of the first week, most patients will have their sutures removed. During this appointment with the surgeon, the splint or nasal packing, if any, will also be removed. Bruising would be largely eliminated by the second week, but swelling will dissipate gradually.

Most patients will be able to go back to work or resume a normal routine at home within a week to 10 days. However, strenuous activities, exercises, and heavy weight lifting should be avoided for about one month. Results will establish clearly as swelling subsides over the next few weeks.