Val Krajewski, RN

One of the most common questions women ask before getting breast implants is, “What if I don’t end up liking them?” It’s a totally valid concern. Breast augmentation is a big decision and a major life change that takes some getting used to. Dr. Houssock and Val get personal about how breast implants changed their lives, talking candidly about what recovery really feels like, physically and emotionally, and what it’s like navigating healing, changes in daily life, and intimacy. They also share...

No matter who does your surgery or how smoothly it goes, recovery always comes with risks. So why not control what we can? Dr. Houssock and Val share the most important plastic surgery recovery do’s and don’ts, so you can heal safely and get the best results possible. We’ve got you covered in the operating room, but recovery? That’s on you. Think of it like training for a marathon: you need to fuel up on protein, get your body ready, and plan ahead. Find out what to do: The must-have recover...

Many women choose breast reduction because they're fed up with the discomfort of large breasts—whether it’s pain, trouble finding clothes that fit, or just the ongoing hassle of carrying extra weight. Because breast reduction noticeably improves well-being almost right away, Dr. Houssock and Val love helping patients of all ages experience the life-changing results of this surgery. Find out: What happens to the nipple during the surgery? Will insurance cover the cost? What’s the aftercare l...

Diastasis recti is very common but widely misunderstood, and it’s hard to even know you have it unless an expert confirms it. Because it is impossible to fix with exercise, tummy tuck surgery often includes diastasis repair. In severe cases of diastasis, you might even still look pregnant long after the baby is born. It can also cause back pain or force your center of gravity to be off. Along with fixing diastasis, umbilical hernias, and the terrible “C-section shelf,” we cover all the big que...

Despite what TikTok says, getting your old body back after having a baby is not a thing. It’s a miracle that your body grew a child, and there’s nothing wrong with the “mommy bod.” But there’s also nothing wrong with doing something for yourself after all that. In part one of two episodes covering the aesthetic procedures unique to the aftereffects of having a baby (commonly known as the “mommy makeover”), Dr. Houssock and Val take us through the changes to expect and what can be done to help. ...

Ever wonder how some celebrities just don’t seem to get older? The secret is that they have a smart aesthetic professional who has them on a strategic treatment plan with a little bit of everything in their toolbox, and fillers are one of those tools. The beauty of fillers is the wide range we have to choose for every face and concern, from restoring volume to reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Dr. Houssock & Val let us in on their favorite products and how long they last, and share a warning a...

Nurse Val wanted breast augmentation her entire adult life, and five years ago she got it. She remembers how excited she was on the day of surgery, her husband’s bad jokes, and how it felt like something was sitting on her when she woke up. More recently as a new mom, she recalls the shocking changes to her breasts when the time for breastfeeding arrived. There are things she’d do differently if she could do it over, and she’s already planning what she’ll change when it’s time to replace her im...

Valerie, the operating room nurse at JEV, quizzes Dr. Houssock on the most common questions women have when considering breast augmentation, including implant size, incisions, recovery, and fixing asymmetry. At every consultation and continuing through the pre-op appointment, careful attention is paid to choosing the right size. Once in the operating room, Dr. Houssock and Valerie work together and use implant sizers to confirm the size is exactly what each patient is expecting. With an overflo...