Tummy Tuck

Conveniently located to serve Charleston, SC

The tummy tuck, otherwise known as an abdominoplasty, is one of the more popular surgical procedures available today. The goal of the procedure is to remove excess fat and skin around the abdomen, as well as tighten lax muscles that may have stretched or separated during pregnancy. Many people looking for a tummy tuck in Charleston, SC, turn to double-board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Ulm for his expertise and specialized training regarding this procedure.

In many cases, a surgical solution provides the only means by which to correct loose skin and muscle in the abdominal region. Attempting to reduce and tighten the midsection can be an even greater challenge post-pregnancy. For these patients, the abdominoplasty is especially effective.

Tummy Tuck Candidates

If you have been struggling to improve the appearance of your abdomen using traditional methods like diet and exercise, it may be time to consider getting a tummy tuck.

One of the most common reasons why people struggle to improve the appearance of their abdomen is excess loose skin or separated abdominal muscles often present after pregnancy. But this can also be caused by aging and genetics. This loose skin covers up the underlying muscles, so even if you have a strong core, no one will be able to tell.

A tummy tuck directly addresses these issues:

• Loose skin
• Excess pockets of stubborn fat
• Weak or separated abdominal muscles

The best tummy tuck candidates are in good overall health and have realistic expectations. Patients at or near their ideal body weight are excellent candidates. If you would like to see how your results may look, view our tummy tuck before and after photos.

Your Tummy Tuck Consultation

Prior to your tummy-tuck procedure, you will meet with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jason Ulm to discuss the procedure. Dr. Ulm will ask you about your reasons for wanting a tummy tuck and will help you understand the results that are possible through surgery. He will also check your overall health to make sure you are fit for the procedure.

Dr. Ulm will create a personalized surgical plan and explain each step in detail. The discussion will also include the potential fees, necessary arrangements prior to surgery, and the recovery process. He will be happy to answer all your questions. At the end of the consultation, your surgery will be scheduled.

What to Expect

The tummy tuck procedure can last from one hour up to five hours depending on the surgical plan and the amount of work required to achieve the goals. The procedure will start with administration of anesthesia. Dr. Ulm will wait until the anesthesia has taken full effect and you are comfortable before proceeding with the procedure.

During your tummy-tuck procedure, an incision will be made just slightly above where the hair grows in the pubic area. A second incision will be made around the belly button and the excess skin and fat are removed.

Next, Dr. Ulm will focus on tightening and aligning the abdominal muscles. He will use internal sutures to rejoin and strengthen the sagging muscles, creating a slimmer figure with a tighter core. Once this is complete, the remaining skin will be tightened in order to give the abdomen a smooth and toned appearance. The incisions will be sutured closed. Sometimes additional definition of the sides are achieved with liposuction.

The Recovery Period

Once the incisions have been dressed, the healing and recovery process can begin. Drains may be inserted to manage the fluid buildup while healing. You will experience a degree of temporary pain, bruising, and swelling during the recovery period. Medication will be prescribed to deal with the pain and discomfort.

Personalized recovery instructions will be given to make the recovery process smooth and safe. This includes the list of medications that you must avoid, along with a list of prohibited physical activities. Dr. Ulm will meet with you to assess the healing process and update the allowed physical activities.

You will need to take at least two weeks off of work in order to give yourself time to heal. Most patients will feel normal after around four weeks but will need to wait a minimum of six weeks before they can completely resume all activities. You can enjoy the full results of the tummy tuck once the incisions have fully healed and all swelling is gone.

Tummy Tuck Cost

The price of abdominoplasty surgery is influenced by factors like the time it takes to perform the procedure, the techniques employed, and the amount of tissue removed. To help with tummy tuck cost, financing is available through Prosper Healthcare Lending.

Getting Started

If you feel that getting a tummy tuck in Charleston, SC, may be the best way to reach your body goals, contact Ulm Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Ulm can let you know if a tummy tuck is right for you and can use his high degree of surgical skill to provide you with the natural-looking results you want. For more information about tummy tucks, please contact or call the office.