Jenelle Evans is opening up about the plastic surgery transformation that recently took social media by storm and sharing what the experience has really been like behind the scenes.
The reality TV star, who first rose to fame on 16 and Pregnant at just 17 years old, revealed on Instagram on Dec. 18 that she had undergone a mommy makeover earlier this month. Alongside before photos, Evans shared glamorous after shots showing the results of her surgery, which she had done in early December.
Now 34, Evans turned to Dr. Rachel Mason of La Femme Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas. In her post, she explained that the procedure included replacing her breast implants and getting a tummy tuck to address diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal muscles caused by pregnancy.
Speaking with PEOPLE, Evans says she knew the timing was right. She’s certain she’s done having children and wanted to focus on herself and feeling confident in her body. Evans is mom to three kids — Jace, 16, Kaiser, 11, and Ensley, 8 — and says this chapter of her life is about self-care.
The surgery also wasn’t purely cosmetic. Evans explains that her original breast implants were saline and had reached the end of their lifespan. “Saline is only good for about 10 years,” she says. When she consulted with Dr. Mason, she asked whether she was also a candidate for abdominal repair. That’s when the doctor told her a tummy tuck would be necessary to properly fix the muscle separation.
Evans says she felt immediately comfortable with Dr. Mason and appreciated working with a female plastic surgeon — something she notes isn’t always easy to find. She felt understood, especially as a mother.
“She really got me,” Evans says. “She understood all my mom problems because she has kids herself.”
According to Evans, the surgery itself went smoothly, and her recovery has followed the expected course. The hardest part hasn’t been the pain, but slowing down. As someone who’s usually active and constantly on the move, being forced to rest has been a major adjustment.
Because of the trauma to her abdominal muscles, Evans says she’s needed help with basic tasks — even getting out of bed.
“You literally need someone to help pull you up,” she explains. “They want you to walk every few hours, but other than that you’re hunched over — and you’re doing that hunchwalk for three to four weeks.”
She admits the posture has been rough on her back, but jokes that it’s at least working those muscles in the process.
Evans waited several weeks before sharing the surgery publicly, knowing reactions would be mixed. Still, she felt being honest was important — especially given how long she’s shared her life online.
“I’ve always shown the real, raw version of myself,” she says. “The true personality, the real life, all of it. I think it’s important to stay organic and loyal to my followers, and to show women that they’re not alone.”
She says she grew frustrated with people telling her to simply “work out harder” when she struggled with the lower belly pouch left behind after pregnancy. No matter how much effort she put in, it didn’t change — because it wasn’t fat, it was excess skin.
“I just want people to know I’m normal, just like everyone else,” she says, adding that she does her best not to dwell on negative comments.
Now nearly a month post-surgery, Evans says she’s finally starting to see the transformation she hoped for. As the swelling continues to go down, she’s able to stand upright more often and notice real definition in her body.
“Today was the first day I looked at myself and thought, ‘Wow,’” she says. “I can see my abs coming in, the curves in my hips. I feel like I’m transforming.”
Evans says the people closest to her have been supportive, but she’s been careful about how she discusses the surgery with her youngest daughter, Ensley. The 8-year-old noticed how much pain her mom was in during recovery and told her she never wants to do something like that herself.
Evans reassured her. “I told her, ‘You don’t have to. This isn’t something you ever have to do.’”