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.

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

I believe that every design is personal. The connection we have with clients determines how the projects will look at the end of the design process. We must understand the clients and bond with them, be a part of their dream. Their dream is our dream.

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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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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.

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.