Dr. Elaina Chen, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Libertyville, Illinois
● Taking New Patients
NPI: 1932465150· License: 036-161800 (IL) verify
Medical school: Indiana University School Of Medicine · Graduated 2012
Industry payments (2024): $1,018 across 8 payments (what this means)
4.92(31 ratings)
About
Dr. Elaina Chen is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon practicing in Libertyville, Illinois. She specializes in breast cancer reconstruction, aesthetic breast surgery, and body contouring, also addressing skin lesion and skin cancer removal. Dr. Chen finds revising aged breast reconstructions to be one of her favorite procedures. She emphasizes that breast reconstruction is a complex, multi-stage process, often taking over a year, and results will not be perfectly symmetrical or resemble cosmetic breast augmentation. She openly discusses that asymmetry and imperfection are unavoidable, particularly after radiation, and stresses that drains are necessary after mastectomy to prevent complications. Dr. Chen prioritizes patient safety, explaining that patient anatomy, medical history, and cancer characteristics are paramount to outcomes. She informs patients that breast implants are not permanent and require regular surveillance imaging. For select trans/non-binary patients, she performs Chest Masculinization (Top Surgery), utilizing a single incision technique to strategically hide scars.
Connect with Dr. Elaina Chen on Social Media
Specialties
- Dr
Procedures & Services
Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes
Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. Elaina Chen
Sourced directly from Dr. Elaina Chen's social posts and replies.
What should patients expect regarding symmetry and perfection in breast reconstruction?
Asymmetry and imperfection are unavoidable in breast reconstruction, especially if radiation treatment was involved. A little bit of asymmetry is normal and natural, and it is not possible to achieve perfectly symmetrical results.
How long does breast reconstruction typically take?
Breast reconstruction often takes over a year to complete. The exact duration depends on the cancer treatments required after mastectomy, as new targeted cancer therapies can extend the treatment duration to over a year or two before reconstructive efforts can proceed.
How do cancer treatments like medication and radiation affect breast reconstruction?
Some medications can interfere with wound healing, potentially putting reconstruction on hold. Radiation causes permanent tissue damage and requires a long time to heal before any surgical intervention for breast reconstruction can be attempted.
What are the expectations for sensation after nerve grafting in breast reconstruction?
Nerve grafting will not provide breast sensation immediately. It takes at least a year for most nerves to regrow and reach the target at the skin or nipple.
Are breast implants permanent, and what surveillance is required?
Breast implants are not permanent. For silicone implants, surveillance imaging (High-res ultrasound or MRI) is recommended 5-6 years after implantation and every 2-3 years thereafter to check for rupture, as silicone implants do not deflate when they rupture. While your plastic surgeon will remind you, it is ultimately your responsibility to remember this testing. Saline implants do not require surveillance imaging because a rupture would cause immediate, noticeable deflation.
Will breast reconstruction results change over time?
Yes, breast reconstruction will age and change just as the patient's body ages and changes.
What if I am unhappy with my breast reconstruction results over time?
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your reconstruction, you can talk to your doctor about a revision, and seek second opinions.
Is breast reconstruction a single surgery, and are results immediate?
Breast reconstruction is not a 'one and done' surgery; it happens in stages, and results are most likely not going to be perfect right away.
How do breast reconstruction results differ from cosmetic breast augmentation?
Breast reconstruction results will not look like cosmetic breast augmentation results. Cosmetic breast augmentation preserves existing breast tissue, whereas breast tissue is entirely removed during a mastectomy. Therefore, reconstruction results will not look like someone else's who still has their natural breast tissue.
Are surgical drains necessary after breast reconstruction, and why?
Yes, drains are necessary for breast reconstruction after mastectomy and are not negotiable. Mastectomies create a lot of raw surface area, and the body naturally sends nutrient-rich fluid to aid healing. Without drains, this fluid accumulates into a seroma, which can be painful, cause distortion or disruption of healing, and lead to infection.
What are the immediate recovery restrictions after breast reconstruction surgery?
Breast reconstruction is major surgery, and patients cannot return to work, the gym, or childcare immediately afterward. It is crucial to let your body heal properly and follow your surgeon's instructions for the best results.
What are realistic expectations for breast reconstruction outcomes?
Patients cannot achieve all desired outcomes simultaneously, such as a lift, being two cup sizes bigger, looking natural, having nipples in the correct position, and having full sensation. While the outcome depends on the surgeon's expertise, patient anatomy, medical history, and cancer characteristics are even more important. Sometimes it is not safe to try to give a patient everything they wish for, as a surgeon's primary job is to keep the patient safe.
What is Dr. Chen's approach to chest masculinization (top surgery) for trans/non-binary patients, and what are the expected results?
For select trans/non-binary patients wanting a masculine chest, Dr. Chen utilizes a technique involving a single incision strategically placed in the lateral pectoral border. This approach effectively removes breast tissue and aims to hide the scar in a natural shadow. With dedicated pectoral muscle building and more time for the scar to fade, patients can achieve a natural, 'born this way' appearance.
From Dr. Elaina Chen's Instagram
@elaina.chen.md →Recent photos posted by @elaina.chen.md, Dr. Elaina Chen's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.
- @elaina.chen.mdAug 2026
- @elaina.chen.mdAug 2026
- @elaina.chen.mdJul 2026
- @elaina.chen.mdJun 2026
- @elaina.chen.mdFeb 2026
- @elaina.chen.mdJan 2026
- @elaina.chen.mdNov 2025
Images © Dr. Elaina Chen / @elaina.chen.md, shown here with a link to the original post. If you are the account owner and want an image removed, contact [email protected].
Patient Experience
Dr. Elaina Chen Review Summary
4.96
Dr. Chen has exceptionally high ratings across multiple platforms, averaging nearly a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Patients consistently rave about her skills and care.
Ratings from Other Platforms
Main Office
825 S. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, Illinois
Book a Service Consultation
Each service is approximately 60 minutes.
Industry Payments
Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.
Total received (2024)
$1,018
Payments
8
Compared to peers
Moderate
Dr. Elaina Chen received $1,018 across 8 payments in 2024. That is higher than about 71% of the physicians here who received any industry payment. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was AngioDynamics, Inc..
What this means for your care
- A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
- Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
- Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
- A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”
Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗
Insurance Information
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Location & Contact Information
Main Office
825 S. Milwaukee Ave
Libertyville, Illinois
Office Information
Where does Dr. Elaina Chen practice?
Doctor's Office
Main Office (Primary)
825 S. Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, Illinois
(3 reviews)
Hospital Affiliations
Hospital affiliations unknown
Do you know which hospitals Dr. Elaina Chen is affiliated with? This information helps patients understand where they might receive care.
Education & Experience
Education
Bachelor Of Science Degree From Cornell University
Medical Doctorate From Indiana University School Of Medicine
Certifications & Licenses
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make an appointment with Dr. Elaina Chen online?
The provided information doesn't confirm whether online appointments are available. It's best to contact Dr. Chen's office directly to inquire about booking options.
Does Dr. Elaina Chen offer telehealth?
The provided information doesn't specify whether Dr. Chen offers telehealth services. Contacting her office directly is recommended for clarification.
What do patients have to say about Dr. Elaina Chen?
Patients highly praise Dr. Chen for her surgical skills and positive patient experience. Reviews mention successful tummy tucks, gynecomastia procedures, and overall satisfaction with results.
What areas of care does Dr. Elaina Chen cater to?
Dr. Chen's primary focus is plastic surgery, with specializations in breast cancer reconstruction, aesthetic breast surgery, and body contouring. She also addresses skin lesion and skin cancer removal. Her practice encompasses both reconstructive and cosmetic procedures, indicating a comprehensive approach to patient care. A large part of Dr. Chen's practice involves revising aged reconstructions, which she considers one of her favorite procedures to perform. She emphasizes the complex nature of breast reconstruction, requiring a surgeon to anticipate and manage factors like skin quality, blood flow, infection prevention, nipple position, scar patterns, volume expectations, and the effects of various cancer treatments (chemo, hormone blockers, targeted therapies, radiation).