James R. Bruno, MD, FACS

I had smart lips with Dr. Bruno, on two separate occasions, over the course of 1 year. I was pleasantly surprised his professional yet personal approach to what I wanted to achieve, which I thought was nearly impossible! However, it was! I had the second smart lipo surgery to define the abdomen even further. It's been the best years of my life post surgery and the results still show! I would highly recommend him for smart lipo, botox, fillers and lip injections - which I've had all of them done in his state of the art facility in the 5454 Wisconsin Ave building. Also, the staff is absolutely wonderful. Always professional and they all take the extra minute to listen to the patient!

Dr. Bruno is not your typical plastic surgeon; he is so much better! Talented, thoughtful, always professional (with a super bedside manner), he has seen several members of our family in the past decade for various surgeries and treatments.
He never pushes any procedures or products; he will give you his honest opinion; and he will work with you to achieve whatever result you need or want. Two examples: In 2013, I had a lump in my breast that needed to be removed. Understanding how stressful this surgery can be, he worked simultaneously with a great cancer surgeon from Sibley to perform a breast reconstruction and reduction after she performed the lumpectomy. The two surgeries lasted nearly 8 hours. When I woke up from surgery, he was there to deliver good news to me and my husband. No cancer, and the results from my cosmetic breast procedures were beautiful and have aged very well. I feel blessed. Last year, he performed eyelid surgery. The results were truly awesome. After my breast surgery, the other surgeon said that she loved performing surgery with Dr. Bruno. "You would never know he was a plastic surgeon, except for the way he dresses. He is always impeccably dressed." Thank you Dr. Bruno!

If you are having a mastectomy and reconstruction, you end up spending 99% of your after care in the hands of your plastic surgeon which I didn't realize before my experience. My breast surgeon suggested Bruno Brown as a practice to consider for my reconstructive surgery and I am SO thankful that she did! Facing a breast cancer diagnosis in your 30s is such a tough thing on many levels. Trying to decide on your medical team, especially in the DC area where there are SO many hospitals and practices is just another stressful task to put on the list. I met with Dr. Bruno and after taking some pictures and discussing what type of mastectomy I had planned, he explained not only what he felt would be the best approach, but why some of the other types of surgery (DIEP for example) really were not recommended. He was very professional and polite and I appreciated that he was not pushy (he understood that we were meeting different drs) & he was very patient with all of my questions. In the end, I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using a temporary tissue expander. The morning of surgery, he was there before the breast surgeon and checked in on me the next morning before I was discharged. I didn't have the easiest recovery at first, but, in the weeks after the surgery he and the entire office staff took great care of me. I recently had the expander swapped out for the silicone implant and again, the care has been 5 stars and the results are fantastic! My oncologist and breast surgeon in my follow up appointments are also very impressed. I highly recommend Dr Bruno for any type of cosmetic procedure.

Dr. Bruno is a highly skilled surgeon who treats his patients with the utmost care. I have personally undergone multiple procedures with Dr. Bruno and could not be happier with the care and results I received. I would highly recommend Dr. Bruno to anyone considering the services of a plastic surgeon.

I cant think of a more competent or compassionate surgeon than Dr. Bruno. I have been a patient since my mastectomy in 20008. I later had reconstruction and now visit for cosmetic dermatology. He is discreet and above all a quality surgeon and person

I've known that I wanted breast implants after realizing my small breasts would never grow bigger than an A cup. My sister has the exact same body as me but she has beautiful and full b cups, while mine are small and lack breast tissue.

I just moved back home after graduating and have been able to save up a good amount of money. While I had expected I might have surgery in my 30s, I realized that I should get the surgery sooner than later, especially since I'm just starting my career and I have my mother to help take care of me.

My goal is to look a little bigger than I do with VERY padded bras and to look as natural as I can. If I wear a sports bra or unpadded bra I am completely flat, and sometimes my ribs or stomach extend past my breasts. I want to feel comfortable and sexy without tons of padding. I just want my breasts to be proportional to my body and booty :)

I've already booked and paid for my surgery, which will be on December 17! I'll talk about my experience with consultations next, especially since girls with a "pectus excavatum" might find my story relevant.

Cheers!

Updated on 8 Dec 2015:
I scheduled 4 consultations but only ended up seeing two plastic surgeons. The first had great reviews but freaked me out after bringing up my "pectus excavatum," aka deep crevice in my cleavage area. The only picture he showed me was of a woman who had chosen really large and obvious implants that basically looked like two melon halves on her chest. I was devastated because I thought my chest spacing would mean all implants would look as bad as hers. I almost gave up my dreams of having beautiful breasts, but luckily after doing more research I realized her breasts looked odd because of the implant projection.

My second consultation was with Dr. Bruno and I am so glad I met him. After the consultation I cancelled all other appointments. He is very calm, relaxing and patient. I threw dozens of questions at him and he happily answered all of them. He even showed me the specific product he would use. His patient coordinator Lori has also been very sweet. She showed me BA results that aren't available online and my jaw dropped! The breasts were natural and absolutely gorgeous. I scheduled my surgery that day because I knew I was in good hands. My consultation was in October and surgery will be next week, December 17! I can't believe this is finally happening :)

Updated on 8 Dec 2015:
Unlike the first PS, Dr. Bruno let me try on implants on the first consultation.

I told him I was looking for natural breasts that are proportionate to my body. While his nurse suggested that I go a size larger since "everyone regrets not going bigger," Dr Bruno understood that I'm looking for a subtle augmentation. I tried on 300 and 350 cc but those felt HUGE on me!! 250 was actually perfect, and then he explained that to get that look he would have to add another 25 cc so it looked like what I was trying on.

With that in mind, I've really started to like the look of the bigger 275 cc. My pre-op appointment is next week and I'm going to try on 250, 275 and 300 again. In the end, I'll trust the doctor to make the final call with what looks better. I just don't want to look top heavy.

Updated on 9 Dec 2015:
These are more accurate in terms of proportion I'd like for my body. I'll show these to the PS tomorrow and see what he thinks :)

Updated on 10 Dec 2015:
I just got out of my pre op appointment and, after a lot of going back and forth, Dr Bruno and I have decided on what my final result should be: 325-345 cc of natrelle inspira high profile!

This is 76-100 cc bigger than I had initially decided upon but I realize that they still look smallish and natural, and really do fit my body type well.

I showed him my wish pics and he assumed I wanted the va va boom push up look, but I explained that I saved those pictures because of the proportions, not necessarily what their projection was. Girls: PLEASE don't let doctors make assumptions about what you want! Your description of what you want might mean something different to your surgeon, so really make sure that both of you are on the same page. I let him know that I will always be looking for natural results, but that the size of those girls breasts are what I was interested in.

We did a resizing as per my request and to my surprise, I really liked 350. However, that's my upper limit and again, I explained that I would like to go smaller than bigger. He will make the final decision on the OR table as to what looks best.

I can't believe surgery is next week!!! I couldn't stop smiling during the appointment :) I hope everyone is doing well!

Updated on 16 Dec 2015:
So I am all set for my surgery tomorrow at 3. I washed all sheets and pillows, have my neck pillow propped up. I picked up my medications as well as Hibiclens, arnica gel, vitamins and cocoa butter.

I am having a boobwarming party tonight with my close girlfriends who are so excited to see my new boobs!! Just some small bites and desserts, no alcohol of course :)

I'm kind of worries about boob greed but I have to keep in mind that anything is better than what I started with, and I definitely trust Dr. Bruno's judgement. I believe he will make the best decision for my body, regardless of what boob greed might make me want.

Good luck to anyone else having surgery soon!

Xoxo

Updated on 17 Dec 2015:
Surgery was today and it went so well! I got it done at Sibley Hospital which is conveniently 5 min away from me. I have never experienced such a high level of bedside manner before; everyone from nurses to anaesthesiologist and the rest of the operating crew came in independently and introduced themselves to me. They were so kind and warm, very genuine. It was really nice to see Dr. Bruno before surgery too, he was a familiar face and you can't help but feel relaxed around him. My mother was with me and was very surprised and relieved with how kind the hospital staff was. I was happy and very comfortable.

Waiting around for everyone to prep me and for the operating room to be ready was the longest part. I was wheeled in and didn't even realize when they were putting me under haha. I woke up to a nurse who was very sweet and helped with my pain management, which I named about a 5 at its highest.

I luckily wasn't nauseous on the ride home, not until after walking my dog with my mom a couple of minutes ago. Easy puke and now I feel better again.

The pin medication is definitely important to stay on top of and the anti nausea medicine is very helped as well. I've been super drowsy since getting home at 7 with on and off discomfort but for the most part, this is manageable. I've been in more pin after a boot camp with an intense trainer :)

One of the weirder things is the sloshing noise I hear when I flex accidentally. It's like a boob fart! I read in another review that it's normal so I'm not stressing about it.

Thanks for everyone's kind words and I hope you all are doing well! I did a little sneak peek (peering down cleavage) and like what I see so far :) I don't really anticipate boob greed because honestly, anything is better than my original underdeveloped tiny boobs.

Have a great night! More updates to come soon. Xoxo

Updated on 21 Dec 2015:
Happily, the healing process has been going so well so far! I have not felt nauseous since that first night, and the pain medication has really kept everything under control. I have full feeling in my nipples and for most of my breasts. I am slowly going off the pain medication because it makes me feel really tired and moody, but will consult with my PS tomorrow at my first post-op appointment.

Anyway, I am so in love with my new breasts!!! They are gorgeous and don even look as square as I had anticipated. I feel like this is how I was meant to look. My clothes look better and I feel so complete :) so YES this surgery was so worth it!!! I can't stop looking at myself, feeling my boobs and taking pictures. I'm just lucky my girlfriends are all asking me for pictures to justify all the selfies ;)


Good luck to everyone else!! I hope all your results are going well!

I'll post pictures from day 2 to day 3 of healing. Patience is so important because they really change quickly!

Updated on 21 Dec 2015:
Here are some pics in some sports bras, lingerie, and unlined bras. I can't believe I finally fill out my bras and clothes and I feel so hot!!!

Also I am really glad that I don't really need to buy new sports bras.

Side note: I still haven't had a BM even with taking laxitives and eating prunes, but hopefully that happens soon.

Updated on 1 Jan 2016:
Hello! So as you may know I got my surgery right before Christmas (dec 17). I left to take a family vacation on December 25 and was a little nervous, but knew that my family and friend could help me do lifting, and that we would just be relaxing on this trip.

Before I left, I went to see Dr Bruno for my first post-op appointment. He showed me how to do my massages and let me know everything looked good. I got my prescriptions refilled just in case for the trip.

So far everything has been fine in terms of pain and sensation. Last week I had more pain and sensitivity, and they felt like half basketballs. This week I've been massaging them more and a bit harder (squeezing them instead of just rolling them) and they've softened up so much! I think they've dropped a bit too. My nipples are pretty sensitive and parts around my breast are numb, but that's only near my cleavage where the skin is being pulled tighter.

I'm in South America so it's been hard to hide my breasts from the sun but I'm wearing shirts out on the beach and am using strong SPF. It's been so fun bikini shopping too!! It's a little tricky not looking too showy but I love finally filling out bikinis. Here are a few stages of my breasts during the trip.

Hope everyone else is doing well! Happy new year :)

Updated on 11 Jan 2016:
So I have just replaced the scar strips and I am so glad to see my scars are flatter and smaller than I had expected! They don't itch anymore and my breasts are barely sore anymore.

In terms of sizing, they finally look normal to me. Naked or in bikinis they are big and sexy, and in clothes you can barely tell that I even got a surgery (aside from the new cleavage). I'm so happy!

Updated on 11 Oct 2017:
I haven't updated since the beginning of the year but I wanted to share how my breasts look, now that they've settled.

I am super happy with the results and the size of them. Some days I think they look huge, sometimes they feel modest, but it all depends on what I'm wearing. They look really natural and my new friends are always shocked when I tell them that I got a BA.

To be honest they still feel firm, but I think that's because I had such a small amount of fat tissue in my breasts to begin with, so there's not much padding the implants. When it comes down to it thought, I'm more happy with my breasts and general appearance than I would with my original tiny chest, so it all paid off.

I have full feeling everywhere, and my scars are barely noticeable. I would say nipple sensation is the same as before. I still have a wide pectoral gap, but that wouldn't have been fixed with surgery and when I wear a pushup bra, they make nice cleavage.

This was a great experience and every time I've seen Dr Bruno since, I've been beaming. Could not recommend him or his staff more!

In recent years my man boobs got much bigger. It got to the point of wearing looser clothes, in layers, fear of having to take off my shirt in front of someone else, and cropping ALL photos of myself to hide my non-masculine chest. Dr. BRUNO did a fantastic job returning my chest to a manly shape.

i am a 24 yr old and i was a DDD 38 after having my consult with Dr.Bruno in March ,i had never been so sure of wanting to do something in my life! he has the best bedside manners and made me feel at ease like i could literally trust him with my life! He always asked if everything seemed okay with what he was suggesting (free nipple graft). I am so thankful to Dr. Bruno and His staff for making this surgery the best and easiest process i could ever imagine.

If i would have known that i would feel so much better after my surgery i would have gone to him years ago!

At the age of 48 I had developed a double chin or as my wife likes to say a gobble gobble :). I finally decided to do something about it. I was recommended to Dr. Bruno (Chevy Chase MD).

9/26/13 I went into his office at 2pm and was out by 2:45.

My experience - my neck area was prepped (cleaned), then numbed - you could feel a tiny pinch, but far less than getting numbed at a dentist. Then the laser treatment began. I could feel a slight tugging, but nothing of concern. The final step was sucking out the fat, which sounded like a small vacuum.

The overall procedure was fast and painless. Awaiting the results.

Cost - $2600

Updated on 4 Oct 2013:
It's been 8 days now and I still have a little swelling. No noticeable difference, so far :(
However, I have to be patient; didn't expect overnight results.

I had my first follow up appt. with Dr. and he says that I am doing very well - no bruising. The best news he gave me was I only have to wear the head bandage for one (1) hour a day - yippie!

I am a 41 year old mother of a 4 year old son and during my pregnancy I gained a lot of weight. So much so that I was left with a lot of abdominal loose skin and stretch marks. After years of trying to work out to flatten my stomach, I finally decided to go for a tummy tuck. My initial consult was scheduled for June 4, 2012. I had a lot of my initial questions answered and I left the office feeling really good about my decision to go through with the procedure. As the date approaches, I am feeling mixed emotions. Excited one day and scared the next. I invite you to share my journey and cheer me on through this process! I am looking forward to having six pack abs in the next few months.



Updated on 19 Jul 2012:
It's 27 days before my tummy tuck and today I scheduled my pre-op examination. It is scheduled for August 1st.
I'm still really excited about the procedure, but also a little scared. I'm praying that everything works out well and I have a quick and not very painful recovery.

Updated on 31 Jul 2012:
Tomorrow is August 1st, so let the countdown begin! My pre-op appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at 12:45pm and my surgery is scheduled for Thursday, August 16th at 7:00am. Only 16 more days before I have flat abs again!

Updated on 2 Aug 2012:
Hi Everyone!
Yesterday I went in for my pre-op work and they also pre-admitted me into the hospital for my procedure.
Today I am exactly 2 weeks away from my date and I am excited. Tomorrow I will probably be nervous. And Saturday I will be scared. LOL.
I just spoke with my Treatment Coordinator at my Surgeon's office and I am all set. Payment has been made and I even have my follow up appointment scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd.
Just think ladies...2 weeks from now this time, I should be or almost be on the flat side. My surgery is scheduled for 7:30AM and they said it should only take about 3 hours.
I'm praying for all my fellow Tummy Tuckers this month and wishing for everyone a speedy recovery!

Updated on 14 Aug 2012:
The clock is ticking down. I'm only 2 days away from my surgery and my nerves are shot. I am praying that everything goes well and that the pain afterwards is bearable.
Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks!

Updated on 15 Aug 2012:
So it's a little after midnight and my TT is officially TODAY! I'm scheduled for 7:30AM and I have to be at the hospital by 6:00AM. This means I have to wake up at 4:30AM. I really should be sleep right now but I can't fall asleep! LOL.
Anyway...thanks to all of you for your suppport through this journey so far. I am praying for a successful surgery and an easy recovery. I will update everyone as soon as I can tomorrow.
Check out my before pictures which I have just added. Recovery pictures to come...

Updated on 16 Aug 2012:
Hi Everyone.
I have made it to the flat side!!
My surgery took place at 7:30AM this morning and I first woke up in recovery around 10:15AM. My doctor said everything went well and I will be very happy with my results.

I am very happy to report that so far I have had no nausea and no major pain. When I first woke up, I felt some burning along the incision but that quickly went away once they gave me my pain meds. I also enjoyed a lovely brunch of saltine crackers and ginger ale.
At one point I felt really, really hot. My mother had to fan me and the nurses said it could be a sign of nausea coming so they gave me nausea meds to stop it before it happened. This medication knocked me out.

Since I've been home I have been resting comfortably and have been sleeping most of the day. It's crazy...one minute I am wide awake and the next second I'm knocked out sleep. In all honesty I feel really good and I have had no problems walking to the bathroom. I think I probably don't have a lot of pain because at the start of my surgery, my doctor said he injected meds to numb the area. He said the numbers medication would last 12-18 hours. That along with the pain meds has kept the pain away. I'm praying that any pain continues to be minimal in the coming days.

I feel sleep coming on again so I am going to end this now. I have attached a picture but you really can't see much because I have on a black compression garment. All you really see are my drains. Sorry that the pic is a little fuzzy. Did it with my whack BlackBerry which takes horrible pictures. Will do some better ones tomorrow with my iPad.

Happy Healing to all the ladies on the flat side and prayers and blessings to those scheduled for tomorrow and in the future.

Updated on 23 Aug 2012:
7 DAYS POST OP
Hi Everyone.
I have been recovering for a week now and I feel terrific.
My pain since the surgery has been very minimal. As a matter of fact, I haven't needed to take a pain pill since this past Sunday.
Yesterday I had my follow up with my doctor and he said that I was healing well and walking well. He removed the right drain but the left one remains. He didn't want to take both out since there was still a little drainage still. Hopefully I can get the left one removed on Friday.

I have been very happy and surprised with my recovery. I've only experienced some soreness when moving about and some soreness in my back from walking slightly bent over. My doctor advised that I can walk straight if I feel I can, and I do.
There is still a lot of swelling so it's difficult to see optimal results.
I am going to try and post some new pictures later today.

Happy healing to everyone!

Updated on 19 Sep 2012:
33 Days Post-op

My apologies everyone!!! I have been so busy since I've been back at work and the fall sememster started in school.
I've been meaning to update everyone on my journey but life has gotten in the way. I promised myself today that I would update everyone and add the pics I took at day 16 post op.

All has been well and I am continuing to heal everyday. Most of the muscle soreness is fading and it no longer hurts like heck to sneeze. I still feel some soreness in the muscle from time to time when I am moving about too much, but otherwise all is well and I am very happy with my results.
I will be taking more pictures this weekend and will upload those as well.

I promise not to take so long between my posts anymore.
I hope that all my fellow tummy tuckers are all doing well!