Jenelle Evans, who rose to fame as a teenager on 16 and Pregnant, has revealed she recently underwent a “mommy makeover,” sharing both the physical results and the personal reasons behind her decision.
In an Instagram post on Dec. 18, the 34-year-old reality TV star shared a series of before-and-after photos documenting her transformation. Evans said the surgery took place in early December and included replacing her breast implants and undergoing a tummy tuck to correct diastasis recti, a condition involving separated abdominal muscles that can occur after pregnancy.
Evans chose Dr. Rachel Mason of La Femme Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas for the procedure. Speaking to PEOPLE, she said the timing felt right both medically and personally. Now a mother to three children — Jace, 16, Kaiser, 11, and Ensley, 8 — Evans said she is “completely” done having kids and wanted to focus on her own confidence and well-being.
She also explained that replacing her implants was necessary. “They were saline, and saline is only good for about 10 years,” Evans said. During her consultation, she asked Dr. Mason about addressing her abdominal concerns and was advised that a tummy tuck would be required to repair the muscle separation.
Evans said she felt immediately comfortable working with Dr. Mason, noting that finding a female plastic surgeon was important to her. “She was really understanding,” Evans said, adding that Mason’s own experience as a mother helped her relate to post-pregnancy concerns.
According to Evans, the surgery went smoothly, and her recovery has been on track. The most difficult part, she said, has been slowing down. Used to an active lifestyle, Evans has had to avoid lifting and rely on others for help, particularly when getting in and out of bed due to the abdominal trauma from surgery.
“You literally have to have help being pulled up out of bed,” she said, describing the early recovery period, which included weeks of walking hunched over to protect her healing muscles. While the process has been physically demanding — especially on her back — Evans said she has maintained a sense of humor throughout.
The reality star waited several weeks before publicly sharing her surgery, anticipating mixed reactions. She said transparency has always been central to her online presence and felt it was important to be honest with her followers.
“I’ve always shown the real, raw version of myself,” Evans said. “I want people to know they’re not alone, and that it’s okay to talk about these things.”
Evans also addressed criticism suggesting she could have achieved her results through exercise alone. She explained that the lingering “mom pouch” that troubled her was largely excess skin from pregnancy and not something that could be resolved through workouts.
Now nearly a month into recovery, Evans says she is beginning to see the results she hoped for, particularly as swelling subsides and she’s able to stand upright more comfortably.
“I can see my abs starting to come out and the definition of my curves,” she said. “I feel like I’m transforming.”
Evans said her family and close friends have been supportive throughout the process. She has also been careful in discussing the surgery with her youngest daughter, Ensley, who expressed concern after seeing her mother in pain. Evans reassured her that cosmetic surgery is a personal choice and not something she would ever feel pressured to do.
Evans is continuing to document her plastic surgery journey on her YouTube channel, offering followers a detailed look at both the procedure and the recovery process.
