About William H. Huffaker, MD

Plastic surgeons need both creativity and attention to detail, qualities that define Dr. William H. Huffaker of St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery. With a career spanning 4 decades, his experience and avid interest in the dynamic changes of the industry have led Dr. Huffaker to becoming one of St. Louis’ most prominent plastic surgeons. We constantly need to adapt to different situations, Dr. Huffaker says. Our advancements in understanding the chemistry and physiology of the body have allowed us to treat patients better and more safely. Dr. Huffaker is a board-certified plastic surgeon who earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed an internship at the University of Alabama Medical Center. He served in the U.S. Army after his first year of general surgery residency at the University of Virginia. After spending 2 years in the Army as an otolaryngologist, he returned to Virginia and served as chief resident during his final year as a surgical resident. Dr. Huffaker completed his plastic surgery residency at Washington University Barnes Hospital. At St. Louis Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Huffaker specializes in cosmetic procedures including mommy makeover surgery, body contouring after weight loss, and rapid recovery breast augmentation. Dr. Huffaker discusses his philosophy of patient care and the importance of trusting your surgeon. Below he answers questions about his approach to plastic surgery. Dr. Huffaker discusses his philosophy of patient care and the importance of trusting your surgeon. Below he answers questions about his approach to plastic surgery. Plastic surgery as a specialty appeals to my creative side. Every patient is a little different and requires a different approach. It is not unusual to see a challenging patient who seeks help after getting unsatisfactory results at another plastic surgery practice. Helping to correct those issues is very rewarding. Besides creativity, I love the detail-oriented part of plastic surgery. That is a trait that is especially important in the operating room, where I am a stickler for safety and sterility. I know it will. Change is part of medicine, and I always stress to our residents that they need as broad of an education as possible now because in the future they will be performing operations differently than when they finish their residencies. Dr. Huffaker is recognized for his efforts on Capitol Hill, which led to major legislative victories, including the removal of the Cosmetic Tax from the final healthcare reform legislation. He also participated in the 3rd Annual Joint Surgical Advocacy Conference (JSAC) in Washington. My story is a very personal story that I am sure a lot of women can relate to. I had multiple C-section deliveries and over time felt less and less comfortable with my body. It got to the point where I would only undress in the dark and removed mirrors from my bedroom. After much deliberation I decided on a Tummy Tuck. I was referred to Dr Huffaker and was immediately comfortable with him. We spoke about me not just my body. He was interested in me as a person not just as a patient. I scheduled the Tummy Tuck and what a difference it made, not just in my body but in my mental state. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I liked the way I looked again. A few years later, after a stressful period in my life, I decided to act upon a thought I always kept tucked away in the back of my mind. I decided to have breast augmentation surgery. I was always a small breasted woman and there was what I considered a significant difference in the size of my breasts, after years of nursing. Again, I went to Dr. Huffaker. I was very specific about what I wanted and he listened to me. I didn’t want everyone to look at me after surgery and just see ‘boobs’ I wanted a very natural look and size. I remember the morning of my surgery I asked him if he remembered what I wanted and he said yes he had my pictures I referred to for my ‘AFTER’ look. He reassured me he knew what I wanted and would not let me down. HE GOT IT PERFECT!