Otto Joseph Placik, MD

45yo, 5'3", 145lb, mother of 5 (ages 17, 15, 13, 11 and 7), 5 c-sections, breast fed all 5 kids. Finally decided to take the plunge after years of research as well as years of working out and never being able to achieve max results.

Updated on 14 Jun 2023:


Updated on 27 Jun 2023:


Updated on 27 Jun 2023:


Updated on 7 Jul 2023:
4 weeks post op and finally just able to kinda stand up straight for the most part. Everything feels so so tight. Bruising is mostly all gone. Scars are still taped, but tried on old bikini to see if could wear and hide scar.

Updated on 18 Jul 2023:
6 weeks post op and finally standing up completely straight and the really really tight feeling is just starting to let up. Still using silicone tape on scars.

I wanted a lower body lift to restore my body to a more youthful place - the way it looked before baby and menopause. I want my confidence back! I think menopause does bad things to your skin. The skin on my legs started to sag, look denty and I hated the way my legs looked. I got to the point that I wouldn't wear shorts and I dreaded putting on a swimsuit! I am not someone who lost a lot of weight. I just didn't like the way my abdomen looked after my C section. I didn't like the denty look on my thighs so I was seeking treatment to fix those things. Fingers crossed!!! I know that the back of my thighs may not be completely corrected but any improvement would be awesome. So - I did a lower body lift which consisted of a mini tummy tuck which addressed loose skin and possibly muscle repair below the belly button only and then all the way around to address my concerns with my outer thighs and lift the bootie. My scar will be low. That way, it should help improve the legs more than I high incision. Goodbye old lady legs!!

This procedure is for anyone - not just those who lost a lot weight. Dr. P said that made my surgery alot easier and faster. 4 hour surgery time; he had estimated 6 hours.

Day 1 - Procedure Day - I was nervous but calm. I put my trust in Dr. Placik. I love that he grabbed my hand in the OR while they put me to sleep. I woke up and thought it was time to start the procedure but it was already done!

I was wrapped in a binder which was not bad. Moving is a challenge. I think it's where he did the muscle repair in my lower abdomen that is the most sore. When I use my core for getting up etc. that's when it hurts a good amount. I'm not sure where he did a little lipo so maybe that is adding to it. I didn't have much to lipo but I think he may have in a few spots. I don't even feel the incision though. My sides are not sore and my back seems to be fine too so that's a big relief.

They want you to move so you don't get blood clots. I think the trick is to use your legs and arms as much as possible when you are getting up and laying down. You have to concentrate on that! Do not use your core because that hurts a good amount.

So I'm home and laying on the bed I made for myself on the couch. My head is elevated as well as my legs. I'm actually comfortable and sleeping was not a problem. I do kind of dread the process of getting up.

They had me buy a toilet seat riser. I have strong legs so getting on the toilet is really not a problem and I have not even opened the toilet seat riser yet. Your mobility is very limited after the procedure but so far I'm doing fine as long as I'm resting and getting up for a few minutes now and then to walk. You do need someone with you to get you things etc.

Since I'm in a binder, I can't get a look at how I look right now. I could see my legs and butt. It does look like they are smooth and the dents are gone but really hard to get a good look at this point. I have a good amount of bruising on my butt. Not sure why.

I will say that i read some stuff online about how bad the recovery is with this procedure and I guess it is based on the person's pain tolerance. I definitely feel it doing certain things like getting up but I'm fine when I'm resting. I wondered if I would be crying from pain or the anesthesia but no! So far this is tolerable. I'll post updates each day with my thoughts on pain etc. I couldn't find a lot on how bad the pain was when I was searching and I hated not knowing what it would be like afterwards.

Updated on 19 May 2023:
Day 2 - Sore and sleepy. Getting up is more of a challenge than yesterday. It's mostly still my front side lower abdomen that hurt the most. Not crying type of pain but yes it is painful. If I get the result I am hoping for, it will all be worth it. When i'm laying down with my feet and head elevated, the pain mostly goes away but they want you to get up every 2 hours and walk so I am doing that to prevent blood clots.

I am eating every time I take my pain meds so I don't get nauseous. That really seems to help so get some good crackers. I think between the meds and just having major surgery, I'm really sleepy. I slept until noon today. That was great.

So summary of Day 2 - super sore. Thank God I get relief when I lay down.

Updated on 20 May 2023:
Sleeping is not problem due to the pain meds. I get up occasionally to go the bathroom. Getting up and laying down are painful. Remember to use your arms and legs as much as possible.

I have pain in weird spots like way up in between my boobs it's sore. I suspect he was pulling on muscle or something but no idea.

I think my stomach feels tighter today - I read that days 3-5 are the worst. So far, I would agree with that but it's nothing that you can't handle. You will definitely need someone to be with you and get you food, drinks, meds etc. My abdomen is still the sorest. My butt is bruised and I can feel the incision on my back today. Up until today, didn't feel them at all and i'm very grateful for that. I feel crappy enought that i dont want to look in the mirror. I do go the doctor Monday so I think he will unwrap everything and I really hope it's what I was hoping for.

Updated on 21 May 2023:
Yesterday, I slept almost the whole day a night. When im in my recliined position, with legs and head elevated, sometimes I don't actually feel anything. However, gettiing up totally painful to a level I didn't expect. When I move, you can feel every area that was worked on. It is painful and it feels very, very tight. I would say the pain levels and tightness are worse than I anticipated. I' ve had a pretty good headache since last night and no appetite. I'm in a little too much pain to get up and look at what I can see in the mirror. I have my first post op tomorrow. I am very hopeful that I see results that I am aiming for I will eventually post pics.

Updated on 23 May 2023:
I had my first post op yesterday and Dr. Placik said everything was looking as it should. He did not remove the drains yet but will next week so that will be awesome. I got a good look at everything there and at home and all the areas that I wanted to be addressed were. I hope it stays that way as the swelling goes down! If so, I will be one happy camper!

As far as pain goes, I still have pain. I am still taking my pain meds even though I thought I wouldn't need them this long. I do. When I'm on my couch bed with my head and legs elevated, I have no pain. I still have a good amount of pain getting up and some as I move around. The pain varies throughout the day. Nothing I can't handle but it can get significant at times. Swelling - still a good amount of swelling. My butt feels really hard. lol. Too bad it won't stay that way. Still a good amount of bruising.

Emotion wise - I have not had the meltdown that I read others have had. So yay for that. I'm getting a little bored and I miss yoga but keeping my eye on the prize! Each day I see improvement so I'm grateful for that.

I'm really looking forward to my next post op appointment (in a week) to remove the drains and look at the incision. I think by then, I will have a lot less pain, swelling and bruising too and will be able to start to normalize my life more. It's a challenge when you go 90mph all the time and then everything stops. Be prepared for that. I was but it's coming up on 1 week and now I'm starting to get a little antsy. I may start with a walk around the block. But definitely not in a place to get up and go.

Dr. Placik is not only the best cosmetic surgeon in the world but he is really a true artist! He fixed my double bubble deformity that I had from my previous surgeon and made my breasts perfect in every way, form and shape. For the first time I’m very pleased and satisfied with my breast augmentation results. I went from 400 cc to 700cc and I love my new implants size. The nurses and staff were very caring and answered all my questions and concerns that I had regarding the surgery. I would like to thank everyone for having the best surgery experience and I recommend Dr. Placik 100%!!

Dr. Placik and staff are EXTREMELY diligent in explanations and recommendations. I have been going to the Arlington Heights facility for roughly 10 years for Botox and fillers. They are patient, thorough, conscientious and I have never once had a bad experience. Very satisfied every single visit. I highly recommend Dr. Placik and would give 10 stars if it were possible.

I had an amazing experience with Doc. Placik. My procedure was a review/redo of a mommy makeover I had with another plastic surgeon in Chicago. I am glad I went with Doctor Placik as the results from surgery to recovery have been amazing and completely different from my previous experience.

Dr. Otto Placik| is a board-certified plastic surgeon who has been in practice for over 10 years. He has helped me through belly button surgeries, and I am so grateful for his expertise and care. He is a true professional who does not just want to make money but also wants to help people feel better about themselves.

Dr. Placik performed my labiaplasty in April 2021. The initial consultation went well. All of my options were explained to me and all of my questions were answered. The actual surgery itself was very smooth. I felt very comfortable during the procedure as Dr. Placik explained everything that he was doing in real time. 

As an incentive for posting a review, this reviewer received an entry into RealSelf's monthly $500 gift card giveaway.

I would absolutely give Dr. Otto Placik more than a 5 star review if I could. I’m 8 weeks post op breast augmentation and vaginoplasty. From the start of this journey Dr. Placik and his staff made me so comfortable. I never once felt embarrassed to discuss things I didn’t like about my body. Everyone there made me feel as though they were friends I could confide in. I never felt rushed or that I was just another patient. His nurse was always so patient and so informative when it came to selecting the size I wanted for my breast augmention. They really made me feel prepared for surgery, like no question was left unanswered and they were always there for me when I had questions. My surgery went so much better than I expected. I know everyone heals differently and tolerates pain differently but not once did I feel any pain from either procedure. I couldn’t believe it. I was very fortunate to have such a great recovery. Every post op visit I’ve had with them has been also very informative like they are here for me every step of the way. I’m LOVE my results. I was a deflated 36B before surgery, he placed 470cc and So far i am now a 36D. I could not be happier. I can’t thank him enough for giving me part of my confidence back! Dr. Placik and his team are absolutely amazing. I cannot recommend him enough.

As an incentive for posting a review, this reviewer received an entry into RealSelf's monthly $500 gift card giveaway.

Dr. Placik is amazing! I’ve had 2 surgeries and 1 in office procedure with him. Each result was exactly what I wanted. He is thorough, kind and most importantly an excellent Doctor! I would highly recommend to any family member or friend.

Best decision of my life. I had saggy breast fed breast and thanks to Dr.Placik I couldn’t be happier. I decided to go with no lift because I didn’t want the scarring but overall my breasts still look 100% better than what they were. I currently weigh 160 pounds and my breast size was a 34C I could barely feel up my bra cup. He does amazing work