About Me

Dr. Bruce’s practice is dedicated to result-oriented weight loss surgery and respecting the individual. His philosophy is based on empowering the patient to achieve a healthy, balanced and sustained weight loss experience. He also believes that thorough preoperative evaluation and excellent aftercare, and respecting the intelligence and integrity of each patient, is integral in achieving these goals. He has a hands-on one-on-one approach with his patients, tailoring the procedure and aftercare to meet his patients’ needs. He regularly performs laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, laparoscopic gastric bypass, and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and is currently evaluating new procedures and methods for weight loss. By offering a range of procedures, he can ensure that the patient has the opportunity to review and select which procedure would be the best for them. He has bariatric surgical privileges at Rex and Wake Med Hospitals. Both of these facilities have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in caring for patients. He is dedicated to the advancement of bariatrics and educating the community on the options for the treatment of obesity. Dr. Bruce hails from the Western New York region. Though he was raised on a farm, he wanted to become a doctor by the age of seven. His childhood heroes included his mother, his grandmother, and Hawkeye Pierce, all of which fueled his passion for medicine. He completed a dual degree program at Niagara University in 1989, graduating Summa Cum Laude and second in his class. He also was heavily involved in ROTC, serving as Battalion Commander his senior year, and won both the George Catlett Marshall Award and top cadet in the region. He earned his commission in 1989 but delayed service to complete medical school and surgical residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo. During this time he won several awards including the Siegel award as the University’s best resident teacher, overall best chief resident, and served as the administrative chief resident his final year. Upon finishing residency Dr. Bruce entered active duty in the US Army. He was accompanied by his family and served initially at the US Army Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany for three years. While stationed there he was also assigned to the 212th MASH, the last MASH in the US Army, fulfilling the second of his childhood dreams (becoming a doctor being the first). Combat time deployments included two tours in the Balkans during which he served as a field trauma surgeon. Upon completion of his tour in Heidelberg, he returned to the States to finish his military service at Fort Hood, Texas, and was Honorably discharged. He regards his military service an extremely rewarding personal and professional experience, and continues to demonstrate support through the USO. Dr. Bruce resides in North Carolina with his wife and four children. He enjoys football, rock and roll, and spending time with his family and friends. Despite the accolades he has received over time, Dr. Bruce acknowledges the past and continued superb support that he receives from his co-workers and partners. The results of one are dependent on the actions of many. He credits his wife and her endless patience as the “wind beneath his wings”, and God for the ability to practice, the opportunity to achieve, and the humility to recognize his limitations.