Liposuction in Houston, Texas (TX)
Liposuction is a surgical procedure which removes fat from subcutaneous (under the skin) tissues in selected areas of the body. Liposuction, also known as liposculpture, suction-assisted lipectomy or lipoplasty, is currently the most popular aesthetic surgery in the US in terms of operations performed.
The most common form of liposuction used presently is tumescent liposuction, which involves injection of a solution containing lidocaine (an anesthetic) and epinephrine (blood vessel constrictor or vasoconstrictor) into the subcutaneous fat. This makes the target area swollen and firm (tumescent). Aside from making the whole area numb, this allows the surgeon to easily insert a cannula (needle) into the subcutaneous space. Negative pressure is applied, and the surgeon makes back and forth movements with the cannula to suck out fat or adipose tissue.
One of the primary requirements for a successful liposuction surgery is a patient with good physical health. Those with severe medical conditions affecting metabolism, such as diabetes, are not encouraged to undergo the procedure. The patient undergoing liposuction should also have realistic expectations. Liposuction should not be seen as a "magic cure" for a healthy body. A well-balanced diet and exercise are important in achieving and maintaining the health results obtained through liposuction.
The surgeon will move the micro cannula back and forth under the skin. With the help of a high pressure suction machine, the unwanted fatty deposits are removed permanently and the desired shape is created.
Recovery
After surgery a tight-fitting garment must be worn over the area. This will help tighten the skin to conform smoothly around the new shape of underlying tissue. In a day or two post-surgery most patients are able to move around but strenuous activities should be restricted the first week or two, based on the level of comfort and the progress of healing. For several days after surgery some discomfort and stiffness may be experienced, which can usually be controlled by medication. Some patients experience numbness or discomfort for varying periods of time.
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 Liposuction in Houston, TX
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