A new treatment called the "BOTOX breast lift" has garnered a great deal of publicity recently, making it one of the trendier new topics in the world of plastic surgery. This procedure uses BOTOX^® Cosmetic injections to create perkier, fuller breasts.

When BOTOX^® Cosmetic is injected into the breasts, your pectoral muscles relax. As a result, your shoulder muscles must do all the "heavy lifting" in the chest region. The end result, marketers claim, is a breast lift without the need for extensive plastic surgery.

While the idea of a nonsurgical breast lift seems appealing, it is important to ask whether this procedure will actually achieve the aesthetic goals of women who desire a breast lift. After reviewing this procedure, Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brown have concluded that it's simply not worth the money.

Breast lift candidates have excess saggy skin and drooping issues that can't be addressed without plastic surgery. In addition, the results achieved by BOTOX^® Cosmetic are temporary, so you would need to go for follow-up treatments every 6 months.

Most importantly, there are serious risks associated with injecting BOTOX^® Cosmetic into your breasts. If the injection location was slightly off or if the BOTOX^® Cosmetic migrated out of the breast region, it could impact your ability to rotate your arms. If the injection went too deep, it could puncture the lung. These risks just aren't worth it when you consider that the results aren't very dramatic or long lasting.

At Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery, we prefer to avoid offering trendy marketing gimmicks like the BOTOX breast lift. Instead, we focus on treatments that are clinically proven to be safe and effective in order to help you achieve the beautiful, natural looking results you deserve.

If you are interested in finding out whether a surgical breast lift is right for you, please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients throughout the Washington DC metropolitan area.

Your face is one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Unfortunately, these signs of aging can give you a tired or worn out appearance, making you look older than you feel. If this is the case, you may want to consider a facelift.

A facelift is one of the most effective ways to reverse the signs of aging and revitalize your facial appearance. However, this procedure isn't right for everyone. It's important to determine whether you are a good candidate before moving forward with your facelift procedure.

Ideal facelift candidates:

• Are in good general health
• Have realistic expectations for the outcome of the procedure
• Have sagging facial tissue
• Have good skin elasticity
• Have excess loose skin in the face or neck
• Have well-defined bone structure to support the surgical alterations made during your facelift
• Want high quality, long term results instead of a short term quick-fix
• Don't smoke or is willing to quit through the duration of the procedure
• Don't have any health conditions that may increase risks
• Are willing to commit the time required, including recovery time, for extensive plastic surgery

During your initial consultation, Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brown will evaluate your facial features and listen carefully to your goals in order to determine if a facelift is right for you at this time. If so, they will work with you to devise a customized treatment plan that will address your unique aesthetic goals.

To find out if a facelift is right for you, please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in the Washington DC area.

Have you heard about a mommy makeover? While motherhood is certainly a joy, the physical toll it takes on the body can be significant. From pregnancy to breastfeeding, becoming a mother may result in changes to the appearance of your body, and it is often difficult to regain your pre-pregancy figure with diet and exercise alone. Fortunately, a mommy makeover can help you get your body back.

A mommy makeover is a specially selected and coordinated combination of procedures that are designed to meet the aesthetic needs of new mothers. While each mommy makeover is custom-tailored just for you, a typical makeover might include a combination of the following:

• Liposuction
• Tummy tuck
• Breast lift
• Breast augmentation

Perhaps your abdominal muscles aren’t as tight as they used to be. Or maybe pregnancy and breastfeeding have caused your breasts to lose some of their youthful vitality. And then there are the stretch marks. A well-designed mommy makeover can address all of these issues and more.

If you’re ready to rejuvenate your body and revive your youthful appearance, take the first step and learn about our mommy makeovers. Please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to arrange a consultation. We serve patients in the Washington DC area.

Mini Tummy Tuck vs Full Tummy Tuck: How to Choose What’s Right for You

It’s not an exaggeration to say that most of us want a flat midsection. But for many, diet and exercise aren’t quite enough to produce the look we want. Add in pregnancy and other factors, and achieving a toned tummy might seem out of reach. But abdominoplasty, or a “tummy tuck,” can help flatten and firm your appearance.

There are actually two kinds of tummy tucks: the full tummy tuck and the mini tummy tuck. Both are excellent body contouring options for those looking for a flatter midsection, but there are a few key differences to understand.

A mini tummy tuck addresses the area below the belly button and is an excellent option for those with excess fat and skin on the lower abdomen. Because it focuses exclusively on the lower abdominal region, it’s less invasive, and scarring is minimized. Many patients who aren’t good candidates for a full tummy tuck find that a mini tummy tuck works for them. And, it is more affordable, to boot.

A full tummy tuck tightens the entire abdominal region. It is by nature more invasive than the mini tummy tuck, but it can address a much larger area. Excess fat and skin above the belly button can successfully be removed with a full tummy tuck, while a mini tuck can’t improve that area.

If you’re ready to discover how today’s tummy tucks can give you that firm, toned look you’ve always wanted, please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to arrange a consultation. We serve patients in the Washington DC area.

If your breasts leave you feeling self-conscious, you may be considering breast augmentation surgery. But with the dizzying number of options available, you may also be wondering whether or not you’re even a good candidate for the procedure. At Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery, we’re always happy to answer your questions about the aesthetic products and services we offer. Please call (877) 427-7888 today to schedule a consultation at our Washington DC area office.

Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed plastic surgery procedures today. Women who wish to enhance their appearance have more breast implant options than ever before and can now choose from saline implants, silicone implants, and cohesive gel (“gummy bear”) implants.

While every patient is different, a good candidate for breast augmentation usually has:

• A desire for larger, firmer, or more symmetrical breasts
• Realistic expectations of what augmentation can and can’t do
• Generally good health
• The information necessary to make an informed decision

While the FDA limits breast implant candidates to those over the age of 18 for saline breast implants, those seeking silicone gel implants must be at least 22 years old. At Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery, we work with each of our patients to determine the right options for them.

If you’re ready to learn how breast augmentation can improve your appearance and your self-image, please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to arrange a consultation. We serve patients in the Washington DC area.

Rhinoplasty is among the most commonly performed types of plastic surgery. While rhinoplasty procedures, often referred to as nose jobs, are often categorized as a type of cosmetic surgery, this isn’t always the case. Changing the appearance and structure of your nose can also have health benefits, such as making it easier to breathe.

A rhinoplasty procedure can have many benefits to your appearance, level of confidence and even your health. This is, however, something that you should give plenty of thought to before making a decision. It's always a good idea to consult with an expert first. The Arlington plastic surgeons at Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery will listen carefully to your goals in order to make sure you're a good rhinoplasty candidate.

You may be considering rhinoplasty for a variety of reasons. This type of procedure can be helpful for people with conditions such as a deviated septum which make it difficult to breathe. Or you might simply desire to alter the appearance of your nose. In each of these instances, rhinoplasty could be your solution.

Most people are good rhinoplasty candidates if they have a fully developed adult nose, are in good health, and have reasonable expectations for the outcome of their procedure.

Please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to schedule a rhinoplasty consultation. We serve patients in the Arlington, Virginia area.

BOTOX^® Cosmetic is an effective treatment for wrinkles that will help you restore a youthful appearance. BOTOX^® Cosmetic has been excellent in the removal of wrinkles on the forehead, crow’s feet and frown lines.

There are some misconceptions about where BOTOX^® Cosmetic can be used. A lot of people believe treatments can be applied wherever you see lines or wrinkles. This is far from true. BOTOX^® Cosmetic shows the most impact where lines are the result of active pulling of muscles beneath the skin. These usually take place around the upper face, primarily in the forehead, the glabella and around the eyes.

Deeper, finer lines – such as those that can form around the mouth – will be more effectively treated using other minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedures.

There are some types of wrinkles that BOTOX^® Cosmetic will not help with. This includes drooping and sagging deposits of skin.

When performed by a licensed practitioner, BOTOX^® Cosmetic is safe and effective at minimizing that aged look wrinkles bring to the face. During your initial consultation, Dr. Brown and Dr. Bruno will discuss your procedure with you in detail to ensure you make a fully informed decision before moving forward.

If you are interested in BOTOX Cosmetic, please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brown serve patients in the Arlington, Virginia area.

We are very fortunate today in the breast implant world. For the first time in decades, we have at our disposal a litany of choices for our enhancement and reconstructive patients. The FDA has finally approved the use of anatomically shaped form-stable silicone breast implants or, what many refer to as the “gummy bear” implant. No, not the like the popular sweet treat we all know and love.  In the past 10 years alone we have seen the expansion of the implant line go from just using all types of saline (silicone only for cancer/reconstructive patients) to using all types of saline and only round silicone to using all types of saline, round and now shaped silicone implants. All our patients, cosmetic and reconstructive alike will benefit from this advancement.

When discussing cosmetic enhancement options, patients can choose between a more natural gradually sloping breast shape or perhaps a more superiorly full rounded shape. Of course, during a consultation, the best choice for a patient’s needs is determined based on desire, anatomy and a discussion with their physician. 

Generally speaking, all liposuction procedures are similar. An incision is made through which a thin tube called a cannula is inserted and fat is removed from the area. However, advances in liposuction techniques have made the procedure safer, faster, and more effective than ever.

Our Washington DC plastic surgeons have found that combining tumescent and ultrasonic liposuction is one of the most effective ways to deliver the exceptional outcome you desire. Alone, these techniques can do wonders, but combined, they are capable of producing stunning results.

Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brown use tumescent solution, which is comprised of local anesthetic and medications that control bleeding, reduce postoperative bruising, and eliminate pain. Once the solution has been injected, our plastic surgeons will use ultrasonic liposuction to remove stubborn fat deposits.

Ultrasonic liposuction uses ultrasound waves to emulsify fat prior to removal. This allows for a more complete removal of fatty deposits and may also help skin better conform to your new contours. During your initial liposuction consultation, Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brown would be happy to answer any questions you may have and discuss the benefits of our technique with you in more detail.

If you live in or around Washington DC and would like to learn more about your liposuction options, please contact Chevy Chase Plasic Surgery today to schedule an initial consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.

One of the most common questions our Washington DC plastic surgeons receive from patients during a consultation is, “What is the best age for breast augmentation?” Unfortunately, there is no black-and-white answer to this question. Instead, Dr. Bruno and Dr. Brown encourage you to reframe the question in the following way: “When is the best age for me?”

There are several factors which you should evaluate when determining if this is the right time to undergo breast augmentation. Some important things to consider include:

• Physical maturity
• Emotional maturity
• Financial stability
• Future family plans

Physical maturity is a very important consideration. You should always wait until your breasts are fully developed before deciding whether you want to alter their appearance. For some people, this occurs as early as age 18. However, many women find that their breasts continue developing well into their late 20s. Ask your family members when their breasts reached full maturity. This may help you decide whether it may be a good idea to wait a few more years before moving forward with this life-changing procedure.

Emotional maturity is as important as physical maturity. Breast augmentation is a major procedure that will have a significant impact on many aspects of your life. It is important to wait until you are emotionally ready to handle this important decision. As with physical maturity, all women achieve emotional maturity at different ages. Think about the important decisions you make in your life. Are you typically happy with them down the road or do you often regret these decisions? If you don’t feel you have a strong track record on important decisions, you may want to wait.

Financial stability is an important factor to consider as well. Breast augmentation isn’t cheap. While we offer several financing options to help you fit breast augmentation into your budget, you don’t want to undergo the procedure at a time in your life when it will mean incurring debt that you can’t handle.

Finally, consider future family plans when choosing to undergo breast augmentation. While your procedure won’t impact your ability to become pregnant or breastfeed, future pregnancies may adversely impact your results. For this reason, many women choose to wait until their 30s or older so that they can get breast implants after having children.

If you would like to discuss your breast augmentation plans with one of our board certified plastic surgeons, please contact Chevy Chase Plastic Surgery today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients throughout the Washington DC area.