Lower eyelid surgery, or lower blepharoplasty, is a highly effective cosmetic procedure designed to address under-eye puffiness and skin laxity. It’s one of the most requested procedures for those seeking a more youthful, rested appearance—especially after weight loss, aging, or chronic fatigue leads to visible under-eye bags.

What Does Lower Eyelid Surgery Treat?

The procedure is ideal for treating:

• Under-eye bags or bulging fat pads
• Loose or sagging skin beneath the eyes
• Shadowing or hollowness around the tear trough

However, it’s important to note that while lower blepharoplasty tightens skin and removes excess fat, it does not eliminate fine lines or wrinkles. That’s where combination treatments come in.

Incision Options: Inside vs. Outside

Lower eyelid surgery can be performed in two ways:

• Transconjunctival (Inside/Scarless Approach): This technique involves making the incision inside the eyelid. It is ideal for patients with puffiness but good skin tone, as it removes or repositions fat without any visible scar.
• Subciliary (Outside Approach): This method places the incision just below the lash line, allowing access to both fat and skin. It’s best for patients who need both fat removal and skin tightening.

During your consultation at SARA Surgery, we’ll evaluate your skin tone, fat volume, and goals to recommend the best approach.

What About Wrinkles?

While lower eyelid surgery improves contour and tightness, it won’t erase all wrinkles or fine lines. That’s why many patients at SARA opt for combination treatments, including:

• Laser resurfacing to improve skin texture
• Dermal fillers or fat grafting to soften hollowing or shadows
• Medical-grade eye creams for hydration and skin repair

These adjuncts can help optimize your results and maintain a more youthful appearance long-term.

Trust Your Eyes to SARA Surgery

Your eyes are one of your most defining features—so choosing a qualified, board-certified plastic surgeon is essential. At SARA Surgery, we specialize in personalized lower eyelid rejuvenation plans, whether you’re concerned with fat pads, skin laxity, or fine lines. We offer the latest techniques and technologies to help you look refreshed without changing who you are.

Schedule your consultation today and let us help you reveal a brighter, more rested look.

At SARA Surgery, many patients ask if it’s possible to combine procedures to save time and recovery. The answer is often yes—but it depends on the surgeries involved, your health, and your recovery goals. Combining procedures can enhance results and streamline recovery, but it requires careful planning with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Popular Surgery Combinations

Some procedures naturally complement each other because they target related areas:

• Eyes and Face/Neck Lift – Combining eyelid surgery with a face or neck lift can create a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
• Eyelids and Facial Fat Grafting – Restores youthful volume while tightening and brightening the eyes.
• Breast and Arm Lift – After major weight loss, pairing a breast lift with an arm lift balances results.
• Tummy Tuck and Liposuction – A popular combination for abdominal contouring. Learn more about tummy tucks and liposuction.
• Breast Lift and Tummy Tuck – The traditional mommy makeover, restoring pre-pregnancy shape and confidence.
• Breast Reduction and Liposuction – Often combined to treat large breasts and excess fat around the armpits or abdomen.

When Combining Surgeries Isn’t the Best Choice

Not every combination is advisable. Your surgeon may recommend staging procedures if:

• The combined surgery time would be too long
• Recovery would be too difficult if multiple areas are healing at once
• Your overall health requires shorter, safer procedures

For full body contouring, it’s often safer to stage surgeries. Recovery requires the use of your arms, legs, or core, and combining too much at once can make healing more difficult.

How to Decide What’s Right for You

Every patient’s body, lifestyle, and goals are unique. A consultation at SARA Surgery allows Dr. Sara Dickie to design a plan that balances safety, recovery, and results. In some cases, combining procedures is the most efficient path. In others, staging them ensures a smoother recovery and more refined results.

Explore Options at SARA Surgery

Curious about what combinations may be right for you? Browse our services for body contouring, breast surgery, or facial procedures. You can also check out our latest blogs for patient education and updates.

Schedule a consultation at our Morton Grove office to learn whether combining procedures—or staging them—is the right path for your transformation.

One of the most common questions we hear at SARA Surgery is: “Do I need breast implants, a breast lift, or both?” The answer depends on a few key factors—including your body’s unique changes after pregnancy, weight loss, or GLP-1 medications—and what kind of results you’re hoping to achieve.

Post-Pregnancy Changes and Breast Shape

Pregnancy and breastfeeding can significantly alter breast tissue, often leaving behind loose skin, deflated volume, or sagging. Many women notice their breasts don’t “bounce back” after their childbearing years, leading to a loss of upper fullness or changes in shape.

A breast lift (mastopexy) may be recommended when your primary concern is sagging or drooping. This procedure reshapes and repositions the breast and nipple to a more youthful location. However, if you’ve also lost volume, you may benefit from adding implants to restore fullness and roundness to the upper pole of the breast.

GLP-1 Medications and Volume Loss

With the rise in popularity of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy for weight loss, many patients are achieving amazing results—but some are also left with excess skin and volume loss, particularly around the breasts.

In these cases, a lift can correct sagging, while implants can help restore the fullness that’s been lost. Depending on the severity of the tissue changes, Dr. Sara Dickie may recommend one or both procedures to help you achieve a natural, proportionate outcome.

Which One Is Right for You?

At SARA Surgery, we tailor every procedure to your specific body and goals. Some signs you may need a lift include:

• Your nipples point downward or sit below the breast fold
• You experience significant sagging after weight loss or pregnancy
• You’re happy with the amount of breast tissue but want a more lifted appearance

On the other hand, implants alone may be ideal if:

• You’ve lost volume but still have good skin elasticity
• Your breasts haven’t sagged significantly
• You simply want more size and fullness, especially in the upper breast

Sometimes, the best solution is a combination of both—a lift to reposition the tissue and an implant to enhance the shape.

Schedule a Personalized Consultation

Every woman’s body tells a different story. Whether you’re navigating the physical changes of motherhood, weight loss, or simply looking to restore confidence in your appearance, SARA Surgery offers expert guidance and board-certified care.

Dr. Sara Dickie will evaluate your anatomy, listen to your concerns, and help you decide which approach—breast implants, breast lift, or both—will give you the most natural and satisfying results.

Book your consultation today and let’s take the next step toward feeling your best.

At SARA Surgery, we are proud to offer our patients the latest advancements in breast implant technology—including the innovative and highly trusted Motiva breast implants. These next-generation implants are designed to deliver a natural look and feel, while incorporating advanced safety features and customization options that make them one of the most patient-friendly choices available today.

What Makes Motiva Implants Different?

Unlike traditional implants, Motiva breast implants are engineered with breakthrough materials and features that prioritize comfort, aesthetics, and long-term safety. Whether you’re considering breast augmentation or reconstruction, these implants offer several key benefits:

• Natural Look and Feel: Motiva Ergonomix implants adapt to body movements, creating a natural teardrop shape when standing and a rounder shape when lying down—just like real breast tissue.
• SmoothSilk™ Surface: This ultra-soft, biocompatible surface reduces friction and is designed to minimize the risk of capsular contracture and inflammation.
• ProgressiveGel™ Options: Available in Ultima or Plus, this advanced gel offers a soft yet stable structure that maintains fullness and shape while moving naturally with the body.

Built for Safety, Backed by Science

Safety is at the core of every Motiva implant. These implants include the TrueMonobloc™ structure for increased shell integrity and BluSeal® technology, which ensures every implant passes stringent quality control. Additionally, Motiva implants are made to reduce complications such as rupture, inflammation, or scar tissue formation—providing greater peace of mind for our patients.

Customizable to Your Aesthetic Goals

With a wide range of shapes, sizes, and projections, Motiva implants offer a truly customized approach to breast augmentation. Whether you’re seeking subtle enhancement or a fuller, more contoured result, Dr. Sara Dickie will work with you to choose the perfect implant for your goals and body type.

Smaller Incisions, Smaller Scars

Thanks to their design and flexibility, Motiva implants can often be placed through smaller incisions, resulting in less tissue disruption and smaller, more discreet scars—a priority for many of our patients seeking both aesthetic and surgical excellence.

Two Distinct Options for Beautiful Results

• Motiva Round: Ideal for patients who want more volume and upper pole fullness with a round, youthful look.
• Motiva Ergonomix: Designed to replicate the behavior of natural breast tissue—shaping with gravity and motion for a soft, authentic appearance.

Is Motiva Right for You?

If you’re looking for an implant that offers a natural look, soft feel, and enhanced safety profile, Motiva may be the ideal option. At SARA Surgery, we’ll walk you through all available choices and help you decide what’s best for your body, goals, and lifestyle.

Schedule Your Consultation

Interested in learning more about Motiva breast implants? Book a consultation with Dr. Sara Dickie today at SARA Surgery in Morton Grove. With board certification, years of experience, and a dedication to patient-centered care, Dr. Dickie is here to help you feel confident and informed about your next steps.

When it comes to reshaping the thighs for a more sculpted, youthful contour, non-surgical treatments often fall short. While some devices can temporarily tighten the skin or reduce small pockets of fat, they rarely address both effectively, and results are often subtle. For patients looking for significant, long-lasting improvement—especially following weight loss or aging—surgical thigh contouring is the gold standard.

Why Non-Surgical Modalities May Not Be Enough

Many patients first explore non-invasive options hoping to avoid downtime or incisions. However, most devices only treat the skin or fat—not both—and often require multiple sessions with modest, if any, visible changes. For individuals with loose, crepey skin, stubborn inner thigh fat, or noticeable asymmetry, this approach can lead to frustration.

Surgical Thigh Contouring: Liposuction + Thigh Lift

At SARA Surgery, we specialize in comprehensive thigh contouring that combines two powerful tools:

• Liposuction: Ideal for removing localized fat that is resistant to diet and exercise, liposuction slims the thighs and helps enhance their natural shape. It can be used on the inner or outer thighs depending on the patient’s needs.
• Thigh Lift (Thighplasty): This procedure is essential when loose, sagging skin is present—common after weight loss or with age. A thigh lift tightens the area by removing excess skin and re-draping it for smoother, more defined contours.

When used together, liposuction and thigh lifts offer the most effective results, addressing both the fat and the redundant skin for a truly transformative outcome.

Addressing Cellulite with Aveli

As an adjunct to surgical contouring, we may recommend cellulite subcision using Aveli. Aveli is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure that targets the structural bands under the skin that cause cellulite dimpling. When combined with surgical reshaping, Aveli enhances the overall skin surface appearance, helping patients feel confident from every angle.

Is Surgical Thigh Contouring Right for You?

You may be a good candidate if you:

• Have excess skin on the inner or outer thighs
• Struggle with persistent thigh fat even after weight loss
• Desire more dramatic, longer-lasting results than non-surgical methods provide
• Are at a stable weight and in good health

At SARA Surgery, we believe in creating customized treatment plans based on your body, goals, and lifestyle. Every patient deserves to feel confident in their skin, and with board-certified expertise and surgical artistry, we’re here to help you achieve that.

Book a Consultation

If you’re ready to learn more about how surgical thigh contouring can help you feel more confident and comfortable, contact SARA Surgery to schedule your consultation. Together, we’ll develop a plan that fits your vision for your ideal body.

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures worldwide, and for good reason—it can beautifully enhance body proportions, restore volume, and boost confidence. But like all surgeries, it’s not without potential complications. One of the more common issues patients may face is capsular contracture.

At SARA Surgery, we’re here to guide patients through both their enhancement and healing journeys, including correcting complications like capsular contracture with safe, expert care.

What Is Capsular Contracture?

After a breast implant is placed, your body naturally forms a thin layer of scar tissue—called a capsule—around it. This is a normal healing response. However, in some cases, this capsule can become excessively thick or tight, causing the implant to feel firm, appear distorted, or even cause discomfort. This is known as capsular contracture.

Capsular contracture is typically graded using the Baker Classification System:

• Grade I: Breast is soft and natural in appearance
• Grade II: Breast is slightly firm but looks normal
• Grade III: Breast is firm and begins to appear distorted
• Grade IV: Breast is hard, painful, and visibly misshapen

What Causes It?

The exact cause of capsular contracture isn’t always clear, but contributing factors may include:

• Bacterial contamination around the implant
• Hematoma or seroma (fluid buildup)
• Smoking, which can affect healing
• Subglandular implant placement (above the muscle)
• A patient’s individual healing response

How Can It Be Fixed?

Fortunately, capsular contracture can be corrected. At SARA Surgery, we offer a range of options tailored to your unique anatomy, aesthetic goals, and medical needs:

• Implant Removal with Lift: Sometimes the best course of action is to remove the implants entirely—especially if you’re no longer interested in having implants—and perform a breast lift (mastopexy) at the same time. This approach removes the tight capsule and reshapes the natural breast tissue to restore a more youthful contour.

• Implant Exchange: If you’d like to keep your augmented look but want relief from the contracture, an implant exchange may be right for you. This involves removing the scar tissue, replacing the implant (often switching the type, size, or placement), and recreating a healthier environment for long-term results.

• Total or Partial Capsulectomy: In more severe cases, we perform a capsulectomy, where the thickened capsule is removed either partially or entirely, depending on its severity. This can be done during either implant removal or exchange.

Think You Might Have Capsular Contracture? Let’s Talk.

At SARA Surgery, we don’t just perform procedures—we provide compassionate, individualized care. Led by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sara Dickie, our team brings a combination of advanced surgical expertise, aesthetic precision, and thoughtful patient support.

We understand how frustrating and even painful capsular contracture can be. That’s why we focus on natural-looking outcomes, safe surgical techniques, and long-term satisfaction—whether you’re seeking revision, replacement, or a new direction altogether.

If you’re feeling hardness, discomfort, or noticing a change in the look of your implants, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with SARA Surgery in Morton Grove. We’ll perform a thorough evaluation and walk you through your options to get you back to feeling confident and comfortable in your body again.

Your body deserves expertise. Your results deserve honesty. Your care deserves SARA.

In today’s digital age, before-and-after photos are more accessible—and more manipulated—than ever. Whether you’re scrolling Instagram, browsing clinic websites, or reading online reviews, you’re likely seeing an endless stream of images claiming dramatic transformations. But how can you tell what’s real and what’s digitally enhanced?

At SARA Surgery, we believe in authenticity, transparency, and integrity in every part of the aesthetic journey. That includes making sure you have the tools to critically evaluate the images that often influence your biggest decisions.

Why It Matters

Your body and face are unique—and so are your goals. But if your expectations are based on unrealistic or edited photos, you’re being set up for disappointment or even harm. The truth is, photo editing tools and AI-generated images are making it easier than ever to create perfect (but fake) outcomes. These images can lead to false expectations, unrealistic beauty standards, and misplaced trust in providers who may not be properly trained or credentialed.

Red Flags in Before-and-After Photos

Here’s what to watch for:

• Over-smoothing or “plastic-looking” skin: If skin appears blurry, poreless, or too flawless in the “after” photo, it may have been filtered or airbrushed.
• Inconsistent lighting or camera angles: Changes in lighting or posing can dramatically alter the look of a result. True comparisons use the same angle, lighting, and facial expression.
• Cropping or hiding scars: If key areas are cropped out or overly shadowed, it might be an intentional way to hide incomplete results.
• Drastic, too-good-to-be-true changes: Real surgical transformations are powerful—but not magic. A dramatic change with zero signs of swelling, bruising, or aging could be AI-generated or manipulated.
• Unrecognizable “after” photo: A credible surgeon enhances your features, not replaces them. The best outcomes still look like you.

Tips to Verify Authenticity

• Check 3rd-Party Review Sites: Go beyond Instagram. Look at verified reviews on platforms like RealSelf, Google Reviews, and Healthgrades. Look for consistent, high-quality feedback about the provider’s work, communication, and results.
• Verify Board Certification: A provider certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) has undergone years of specialized training, passed rigorous exams, and upholds strict ethical standards. At SARA Surgery, Dr. Sara Dickie is proudly Board-Certified, reflecting her expertise and commitment to patient safety.
• Ask for Unedited Images: During a consultation, request to see high-resolution, untouched before-and-after photos of previous patients. Ethical providers will happily show you realistic, honest examples of their work.
• Trust Your Instincts: If a provider feels overly salesy, vague, or dodges questions, that’s a red flag. Look for transparency and professionalism at every touchpoint.

At SARA, You Stay You—Only Better

At SARA Surgery, we specialize in natural-looking enhancements that align with your goals, personality, and features. Whether you’re seeking injectables, laser treatments, or surgical procedures, we’re here to help you become the best version of yourself—without erasing what makes you unique.

We believe in:

• Real results
• Patient education
• Respect for individuality
• Ethical presentation of work

Book With Confidence

Considering a procedure? Schedule a consultation with SARA Surgery in Morton Grove to learn more about what’s possible for you. We’ll show you real, unedited before-and-afters, review your options in detail, and ensure your treatment plan is as honest and individualized as you are.

Your transformation should be rooted in reality—not filters. And at SARA, we’re here to keep it that way.

Upper eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, is a cosmetic or functional procedure aimed at improving the appearance and performance of the upper eyelids. Individuals who may benefit from this surgery often experience:

• Drooping eyelids that impair vision.
• Excess skin creating a tired or aged appearance.
• Puffiness due to fat deposits in the eyelids.

Aging, genetics, and lifestyle factors can all contribute to these concerns. Patients seeking a more refreshed, youthful look or those needing improved vision due to sagging eyelids are ideal candidates.

When Does It Include a Brow Lift?

In some cases, blepharoplasty alone may not fully address a patient’s concerns. If drooping eyebrows are contributing to the heaviness on the upper eyelids, a brow lift may be recommended alongside eyelid surgery. This combination offers:

• Better symmetry between the eyes and brows.
• Enhanced overall rejuvenation by lifting the forehead and brow.
• A more open and youthful appearance of the eye.

During your consultation at SARA Surgery, our team will assess your unique facial structure to determine whether combining a brow lift with upper eyelid surgery is the optimal approach.

The Procedure

• Consultation: Patients start with a thorough consultation at SARA Surgery, where their concerns and goals are discussed. A full facial evaluation determines if they are a good candidate for blepharoplasty or if additional procedures, such as a brow lift, may be recommended.
• Anesthesia: The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia or with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference and the extent of the procedure.
• Incision and Removal of Tissue: Dr. Dickie makes precise incisions along the natural creases of the upper eyelids, ensuring minimal visibility of scars. Excess skin, muscle, and fat are carefully removed or repositioned to reduce sagging and puffiness.
• Layered Closure: The incisions are closed with fine sutures, which are removed within a few days. The meticulous closure technique helps minimize scarring.
• Post-Procedure Care: Patients are given specific aftercare instructions, including using cold compresses, keeping the head elevated, and avoiding strenuous activities.

What is the Recovery Like?

Recovery from upper eyelid surgery is relatively straightforward. Patients can expect:

• Swelling and bruising for the first 1-2 weeks.
• Use of cold compresses to reduce swelling.
• Stitches removal within 5-7 days.
• Resumption of light activities within a few days.
• Avoiding strenuous activities for 2-3 weeks.

Our team at SARA Surgery will provide detailed post-operative care instructions to ensure optimal healing and minimal scarring. Follow-up appointments will monitor your recovery and address any concerns.

Explore Your Options at SARA Surgery

At SARA Surgery, we take a personalized approach to help you achieve your aesthetic goals. Whether you need upper eyelid surgery, a brow lift, or a combination of both, our expert team is here to guide you every step of the way. Schedule a consultation today to discover how we can help you look and feel your best.

Plastic surgery is often misunderstood, leading to myths that create confusion or unwarranted skepticism. At SARA Surgery, we believe in educating our patients, so they can make informed decisions about their care. Let’s address some of the most common myths about plastic surgery and reveal the truth behind them.

Myth 1: Plastic Surgery Involves the Use of Plastic

One of the biggest misconceptions is that plastic surgery involves the use of plastic materials. This is false. The term “plastic” comes from the Greek word “plastikos,” meaning “to mold or shape.” Plastic surgery is about molding or contouring tissue to enhance or recreate lost form. Whether reconstructing a damaged area or refining a cosmetic concern, plastic surgeons carefully sculpt the body to improve both form and function.

Myth 2: Plastic Surgeons Leave No Scars

While it’s a nice thought, the belief that plastic surgeons leave no scars is simply not true. Every surgery leaves a scar, but expert plastic surgeons minimize and manage them. We make “ideal scars” by hiding them in creases and folds and layered closures to make sure the skin edges are perfectly aligned.

At SARA Surgery, we CARE and take a meticulous approach to minimize scarring by:

• Hiding incisions in natural folds and creases.
• Performing layered closures to ensure the skin edges are perfectly aligned.
• Mobilizing tissue and reducing tension on the incision to avoid scar spreading or thickening.
• Implementing scar gel or taping protocols and using advanced laser treatments to refine scars over time.

Healing is not an overnight process. It requires months of diligent care, and we guide our patients through every step to ensure the best possible outcome.

Myth 3: Plastic Surgery Is Pure Vanity

It’s a common misconception that plastic surgery is purely for cosmetic reasons. This could not be further from the truth. While aesthetics are part of the goal, plastic surgery is about form and function. People are not simply machines, our form in terms of what we present to the outside world affects how we function in the world.  Taking a focused approach on reshaping, rehabilitating or enhancing one’s form is elective self care and has immense value for individuals that can last a lifetime, having  long term positive impacts on quality of life and happiness.

Explore Your Options at SARA Surgery

At SARA Surgery, located in Morton Grove, we offer a wide range of body procedures, including:

• Abdominoplasty (Tummy tuck)
• Liposuction
• Fat grafting
• Mommy Makeovers
• Arm lift
• Lower body lift
• Facial Plastic Surgery

Our team is dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate care, ensuring every patient feels confident in their journey. If you’re curious about what plastic surgery can do for you, schedule a consultation today. We’ll help you navigate your options and create a treatment plan tailored to your goals.

Breast augmentation and a breast lift are two popular procedures offered at SARA Surgery, and each serves a unique purpose depending on your desired results. While both surgeries aim to enhance the appearance of the breasts, they address different concerns and are tailored to meet the specific goals of each patient. To determine the right procedure for you, a consultation with SARA is best, but here’s some information on each to get you started!

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation focuses on increasing the size and improving the shape of the breasts.  Most often this is accomplished using implants, but for small augmentations a person’s own fat can be used in a process known as fat grafting or fat transfer. This procedure is ideal for women who feel their breasts are too small, asymmetrical, or have lost volume due to weight loss or pregnancy. During a consultation at SARA, patients discuss their desired size and shape, and choose between silicone or saline implants, or fat grafting depending on their personal preferences and goals.

Good candidates for breast augmentation are those who:

• Want to increase their breast size or enhance fullness.
• Have naturally small or uneven breasts.
• Have lost breast volume due to pregnancy, breastfeeding, or weight fluctuations.

Breast Lift

On the other hand, a breast lift is designed to address sagging or drooping breasts by removing excess skin and lifting the remaining tissue. This procedure is ideal for women who are satisfied with their breast size but are looking to correct sagging caused by aging, gravity, pregnancy, or significant weight changes. A breast lift focuses on positioning the breasts higher on the chest and creating a more youthful contour.  The size of the nipple is often reduced as well, since this commonly stretches during pregnancy, aging and breast feeding.

Good candidates for a breast lift include:

• Women experiencing sagging or drooping breasts.
• Those who are satisfied with their breast size but want a perkier appearance.
• Patients with stretched skin or downward-facing nipples.

What if I have both concerns?

Many women who have both sagging and low volume can opt for a breast lift AND breast augmentation at the same time.  This is called and augmentation mastopexy.  Using a lift and implants together can increase the fullness of the breast creating a more rounded shape at the top and more cleavage than a lift alone.  Some women with a mild amount of sagging can achieve a lifted look with an implant or fat grafting alone since adding volume to the breast will naturally lift the nipple position on the breast.

Good candidates for an augmentation mastopexy include:

• Women who have sagging or drooping breasts and want a larger breast volume.
• Patients who are unsatisfied with their breast shape and want a perkier appearance.
• Patients who have lost a large amount of weight and have loose skin and minimal breast tissue above the nipple.

Which Procedure is Right for You?

During your consultation with Dr. Sara Dickie, you’ll receive personalized recommendations based on your body type, skin elasticity, and aesthetic goals. Whether you’re interested in enhancing volume with breast augmentation, fat grafting or lifting your breasts for a more youthful look, the team at SARA Surgery is here to guide you every step of the way.

For more information or to schedule your consultation, contact SARA Surgery today to discuss the best options for achieving your ideal breast appearance.