Carrie Underwood has been looking a bit more smooth-skinned of late, with fans wondering what she’s doing to look so, well, puffed up. One of her recent posts, for example, garnered such comments as “What did she do to her face?” and “Stop the plastic surgery!”

The American Idol alum, who shot to fame at age 22, has been coy about plastic surgery in the past. When fans wondered whether a 2017 fall, which left the singer with 40 stitches on her face, was a cover for going under the knife, the “Cry Pretty” singer called the rumors “a little sad,” adding, “I wish I’d gotten some awesome plastic surgery to make this [scar] look better.”

Now, Dr. Steven Fallek exclusively tells Life & Style it’s clear the country star has had some nips and tucks. “Her skin looks better,” says the New Jersey–based plastic surgeon, who has not treated Carrie. “She’s probably had some laser or microderm-abrasion to improve her skin texture.” And that’s not all: “Lateral cheeks also look more pronounced, so I’d say some filler there too.” (And, judging from her unmoving eyebrows, it’s easy to assume she’s had a little Botox in her forehead.)

It’s all part of being in show business – especially now that the mom two (with husband Mike Fisher) has hit 40. “She wants to maintain her youthful appearance as long as possible,” an insider exclusively tells Life & Style. “Carrie’s aware that looks are everything in this industry.” To that end, she’s been discreetly getting help with the upkeep, says the insider. “Just a little lip plumping and smoothing away of lines, but she’d rather not admit it given her wholesome image.”

Keep scrolling to see photos of Carrie then and now!