Shades of blue—the color of the sea, sky and sunrises—surround you. Soft music blends with the soothing sound of flowing water. Plastic Surgery of the Carolinas offers patients an oasis-like environment.

Dr. Ram Kalus, a 25-year veteran of plastic surgery and lifelong practitioner of health and wellness, relocated his practice to Mount Pleasant five years ago. Since then, his practice has grown exponentially. Today, his eye for aesthetics and his talent for transformation are evident everywhere—from the serene yet revitalizing medical spa, to a handpicked staff of professionals, to satisfied patients all over the globe.

“At one time I considered myself a ‘purist’ surgeon,” Dr. Kalus says. “A surgeon uses his hands, a scalpel and different surgical instruments. But my patients wanted other options. They had an interest in looking good without the downtime and costs associated with traditional plastic surgery. Introducing medical spa services that include micro-invasive and noninvasive procedures gives them a myriad of choices. My job as a board-certified plastic surgeon is to sift through the plethora of choices available today and advise my patients on the scientifically based, proven, safe treatments that would best enhance their appearance.”

But Dr. Kalus’ philosophy isn’t just skin deep. His staff includes a registered dietician and a personal trainer.

“Beauty is projected from the inside out,” Dr. Kalus explains.

“My philosophy marries holistic practices with safe surgeries or procedures. I like to educate my patients and get them on the right path. I like to help them take charge of their lives, embrace a healthy lifestyle—then help them with the things they can’t do by themselves.

“We can customize a treatment plan for a patient that includes noninvasive fat melting, surgical liposuction, a tummy tuck … but all of that,” he says emphatically, “needs to be preceded by a commitment to a lifestyle change, so we offer a consultation with a registered nutritionist and a personal trainer.”

Treatment rooms flank the hallways of the medical spa, each containing state-of-the-art equipment designed to tighten, smooth, reduce and/or enhance a patient’s appearance and deliver noticeable results without invasive surgery.

Dr. Kalus’ practice is one of approximately 100 plastic surgery practices in the country that have Thermi, a revolutionary device that delivers thermal energy through a probe about the size of a Q-tip inserted beneath the skin. Skin temperature is monitored through an infrared camera. This procedure is “micro-invasive.” Patients can expect tightening of loose skin as well as elimination of unwanted fat (as in a “double chin”) with a single treatment, with little or no downtime.

Other treatment rooms contain noninvasive devices such as the Lumenis M22, which uses Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) on the face, neck, chest, back and hands. It can remedy sun damage, rosacea, freckles and stimulate collagen to reduce lines and wrinkles. Think of it as rejuvenation for the epidermis.

The Pollogen device uses radio frequency in a completely noninvasive manner to contour the skin—from face to tummy to thighs and back—and give skin a more youthful appearance.

The AcuPulse uses a CO2 fractional laser for scars or facial resurfacing. The laser’s patterns target fine lines or deep wrinkles and even address stretch marks. Healing is much faster than with traditional lasers and the treatment quickly yields results.

As Dr. Kalus explains each procedure, it’s obvious that his passion is not only to use his expertise and skills as a surgeon, but to educate his patients as to why a given procedure, be it surgical or noninvasive—or a combination of both—is best for them.

“Our knee-jerk reaction to plastic surgery or any procedure that improves appearance is that it’s vain or superficial. But, when you dig a little deeper,” he says with a reassuring smile, “you begin to understand that when you are happier with what you see in the mirror, you project positive energy. You are ready to go out and conquer the world!”

Brigitte Surette is a full-time freelance writer living near Charleston. Find out more at brigittesurette.com.