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Breast Reconstruction

BREAST RECONSTRUCTION in Houston, TX

Dr. Chris Livingston at Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston is a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience performing breast reconstruction procedures.

For women who have undergone a mastectomy (“breast cancer surgery”), or have had their breasts removed due to other conditions, breast reconstruction surgery may be an option to restore the appearance of their breasts. This is a delicate and individualized procedure in which one or both breasts can be reconstructed.

Christopher K. Livingston, M.D., F.A.C.S., P.A. at Livingston Plastic Surgery in Houston is a breast reconstruction surgeon who is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), as well as a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He is also a plastic surgery consultant for cosmetic procedures at WebMD.com.

In addition, Dr. Livingston is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center of Houston – in the Division of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Otolaryngology.

His practice, the world’s largest medical center, located at the Houston Texas Medical Center, is a calm and non-pressuring environment. Dr. Livingston often attracts patients throughout the Texas area, from such cities as Pearland, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands for breast reconstruction, as well as procedures for the face, breasts, and body.
Dr. Livingston

Christopher Livingston, MD

“The most important part of plastic surgery is achieving a youthful, refreshed look, with minimal downtime.”

Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive surgeon

Chris Livingston, MD

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Is Breast Reconstruction Right for Me?

Breast reconstruction, more technically termed “reconstruction mammaplasty,” is a procedure in which one or both breasts are reconstructed. Women who wish to have this procedure should:

  • Have realistic goals and expectations
  • Not have serious medical conditions or health problems
  • Want breast reconstruction for their own personal reasons, not to meet an idealistic image

A potentially satisfying procedure that will affect the patient both physically and mentally, breast reconstruction surgery can provide the patient with natural-looking breasts. Although the reconstructed breast(s) will never feel the same as it once did, Dr. Livingston will be able to offer patients excellent results through breast reconstruction.

With the use of breast implants and/or flap surgery, Dr. Livingston will be able to rebuild the breast(s) using a number of methods.

Thank you, Dr. Livingston! Appreciate you helping me.

– Rebecca (Google Reviews)

Procedural Steps

To reconstruct an acceptable breast size, shape, and appearance, Houston breast reconstruction surgeon, Dr. Livingston may use flap surgery to help the patient achieve optimal results. The TRAM (Transverse Rectus Abdominus) Flap technique uses donor skin, fat, and muscle from the abdomen to form a natural-feeling breast. The flap may remain attached to its original blood supply and moved up along the chest wall, or it may be detached from this blood supply, moved, and shaped into a breast mound and finally reattached to blood vessels within the chest or axilla. This technique utilizes the same tissue discarded during an abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), thus the breast cancer reconstruction results in a slimmer and tighter midsection.

The Latissimus Dorsi Flap technique may also be employed to reconstruct the breast(s). Using fat, skin, and muscle from the back, this flap can be tunneled into the affected breast defect, and finally shaped and molded to resemble a normal-appearing breast while the blood supply can remain attached.

Alternatively, breast implants (saline or silicone gel) may also be utilized to reconstruct the breast(s). On occasion, flap surgery is combined with breast implant surgery to supply patients with the needed muscle and tissue necessary to stretch the skin. During this four to six-week process, tissue expanders may also be used to expand the skin to make room for the placements of breast implants. This procedure will be followed by saline or silicone gel implant placement once the skin envelope has been stretched to accommodate the permanent prosthesis.

In addition to completing the reconstruction of the breast(s), the nipples and areolas will also need to be reconstructed. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the patient will be placed under intravenous sedation or general anesthesia for the simple outpatient procedure.

Real Patient Results

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Benefits of Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction offers significant benefits that go far beyond restoring physical form. First and foremost is the emotional healing it supports. Women who have undergone mastectomy often report that reconstruction helps them feel whole again, reinforcing body confidence and improving self-image. It serves as a bridge to reclaiming femininity and reclaiming a sense of normalcy during recovery after breast cancer or other severe conditions.

Beyond aesthetic restoration, reconstruction also delivers a balanced silhouette. Through techniques such as flap surgery, utilizing tissue from the abdomen or back, or implant-based approaches, Dr. Livingston reconstructs the breast mound to match the natural breast in terms of size, shape, and position. Many patients find that they regain symmetry, allowing their clothing to fit better and restoring a more proportional figure. For example, delayed reconstruction using autologous tissue, such as the TRAM flap, not only rebuilds the breast but can also simultaneously tighten the abdominal area, essentially combining reconstruction with tummy tuck results. Latissimus dorsi flaps similarly harness muscle and skin to create a more youthful chest contour.

Candidates for Breast Reconstruction

A good candidate for breast reconstruction plastic surgery is someone who:

  • Is in good physical health, and has no serious medical conditions
  • Is realistic in her expectations and goals
  • Wants to regain breast tissue post-mastectomy

During a consultation with Dr. Livingston, the two of you will discuss the details of your surgery. Depending on your condition, our breast reconstruction surgeon can rebuild the breasts using a number of methods, such as flap surgery or breast augmentation surgery (“augmentation mammaplasty”).

To see some of the results for Houston breast reconstruction patients, please view our before and after plastic surgery photos. Also, you may learn more about his practice by viewing our featured videos on the media page.

If you are interested in undergoing breast reconstruction in the Sugar Land, The Woodlands, or Pearland area, please contact our Houston doctor, Dr. Livingston, by calling (281) 501-1812 or filling out our contact form to schedule an initial consultation.

Breast Reconstruction Recovery

Recovery from breast reconstruction is a vital and carefully guided journey toward renewed physical comfort and emotional restoration. Immediately following surgery, patients usually remain in a monitored setting where bandages and surgical drains are placed as needed to prevent fluid buildup. You’ll wear a specialized support bra to help the reconstructed breast(s) settle and support your healing tissues.

In the first week, you may experience swelling, mild discomfort, or fatigue. Most patients find these symptoms manageable with light activity and proper rest. Dr. Livingston recommends gentle walking to promote circulation and reduce swelling, while avoiding strenuous exertion or upper body lifting to protect the healing area.

By weeks two to four, many women can resume light daily tasks and are often surprised by early improvements in breast contour and symmetry. Scars begin to soften, and lighter, more comfortable support garments usually replace the heavier surgical dressings.

Over the ensuing months, your reconstructed breast(s) continue to refine in both shape and feel. If implants were used, they gradually settle into a more natural position. With autologous tissue, the contour becomes smoother, and donor-site healing, such as in the abdominal or back areas, is carefully monitored for comfort and mobility.

Final results begin to emerge around six to twelve months post-op, when swelling subsides completely and tissues have adapted to their new structure. Throughout recovery, Dr. Livingston provides attentive guidance through follow-up visits, scar management strategies, and emotional support to ensure your transition back to everyday routines is safe, confident, and aligned with your aesthetic and functional goals. The care you receive during this time both enhances healing and empowers a fresh sense of physical harmony and inner strength.

The Results

Following your surgery, bandages will be placed with a support bra to help the newly constructed breast(s) heal and settle properly. Swelling will begin to resolve and the final position of the breast(s) will begin to take shape over the next several months following surgery.

Although scars will always be present on the breast(s), these will soften and fade with time and you be left with a more proportionate, satisfying, and long-lasting bust line.

Breast Reconstruction Houston FAQs

Breast reconstruction is a significant procedure not only for aesthetic restoration but for personal healing. Beyond rebuilding the physical shape of the breast, reconstruction enables many women to feel whole again, restoring balance to their silhouette and renewing their confidence. It helps address the emotional impact of mastectomy, enabling you to complete your body contour and reclaim comfort in your appearance. Dr. Livingston tailors each reconstruction to your body type and goals, delivering results that are natural, proportionate, and empowering.

There are two main reconstruction pathways: implant-based and autologous tissue (flap-based) reconstruction. Implant-based reconstruction is less invasive and uses saline or silicone implants, sometimes preceded by a tissue expander, to recreate breast shape. In contrast, flap-based reconstruction utilizes your own tissue, such as abdominal skin and fat in a TRAM or DIEP flap, or tissue from the back in a latissimus dorsi flap. These tissue-based methods offer a more natural feel and long-lasting results, with the added benefit of contouring from the donor site. Sometimes a hybrid approach combining both techniques is used, depending on your body shape, previous treatments, and aesthetic goals.

  • Emotional restoration: Reconstruction supports healing by helping patients regain confidence, femininity, and a sense of normalcy.
  • Improved symmetry: Reconstructing the breast to match your remaining native breast improves clothing fit and overall body contours.
  • Functional and contour advantages: Procedures like TRAM flaps can tighten the abdomen while rebuilding the breast, giving dual enhancement in a single surgery.
  • Physical and emotional harmony: Returning to a balanced shape after cancer helps many women embrace their body and life beyond treatment.

Recovery involves multiple stages:

  • Immediate post-op: You’ll rest in recovery with surgical drains and support garments. Swelling and discomfort are normal but manageable with pain care.
  • First 1–2 weeks: Monitorable progress—swelling improves, and you may return to light activity. Dr. Livingston checks drainage and garment fit.
  • Weeks 3–6: Transition to lighter day-to-day movements. Early breast contour becomes visible.
  • Months 3–12: Ongoing refinement. Healing continues quietly—scars mature, reconstructed breasts settle, and donor sites (if used) heal fully.

 

Dr. Livingston provides step-by-step guidance at each stage, ensuring your comfort and clarity throughout your recovery.

Absolutely, especially in the case of flap reconstruction, where tissue is taken from the abdomen or back. Flap reconstruction can improve core strength and posture. When symmetry and structure are restored, bra fitting and support improve, reducing strain across the shoulder or back. Breast reconstruction doesn’t just rebuild your shape; it can support your posture, comfort, and functional well-being.

Dr. Livingston focuses on achieving natural, balanced results. With flap procedures, a reconstructed breast benefits from your own tissue, resulting in a softer and more realistic texture. Implant-based reconstructions also look natural when well-sized and placed, especially when performed by an artistic and anatomically sensitive surgeon like Dr. Livingston. Over time, reconstructed breasts settle and blend with your body, especially when key details such as nipple-areola design are carefully customized.

Results from both implant-based and flap reconstructions are durable, but longevity depends on factors like:

  • Health and lifestyle: Stable weight, careful care of scars, and overall fitness support long-term appearance.
  • Type of reconstruction: Flap reconstruction generally changes little over time. Implants may require replacement in 10–15 years if they rupture or develop capsule issues.
  • Support and monitoring: Livingston supports years of follow-up to monitor reconstructed tissue and assist with any necessary adjustments.

Yes. Reconstruction often pairs with procedures on the opposite breast to achieve symmetry—such as a lift, augmentation, or reduction. Dr. Livingston’s approach aims to restore not just a rebuilt breast but also bilateral balance, ensuring clothing fits evenly and your contour appears seamless. Breast lift or augmentation may typically occur as a secondary procedure once healing is complete, or it may be performed immediately at the time of reconstruction, depending on the clinical context.

Scarring is a natural part of any surgical process. Scars from flap-based procedures are typically located on the abdomen or back, with an additional scar on the breast. Implant-based approaches result in incisions along the crease, side of the breast, or around the areola. In both cases, scar management helps them soften and fade in texture and color over time through post-operative care, silicone application, sun protection, and gentle massage. Dr. Livingston focuses on strategic placement and meticulous closure to minimize visibility and enhance natural contours.

Yes, but careful planning is essential. Radiation can affect healing, skin quality, and tissue pliability. That said, many patients do well with either delayed or immediate reconstruction using specific techniques like flap-based methods, which integrate well with radiation-affected tissue. Dr. Livingston works closely with your oncology team to design a treatment timeline that aligns with both reconstructive goals and safe cancer care.

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Livingston Plastic Surgery
(281) 501-1812
6410 Fannin St #927
Houston, TX 77030

Dr. Chris Livingston specializes in plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgery in Houston, TX. His expertise includes breast augmentation, reduction, and reconstruction, as well as liposuction, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, and facelift.

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