Dr. Sarah Eidelson, MD
Top Surgery Expertise in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Sarah Eidelson, MD, is a fellowship-trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon with extensive experience in gender-affirming care, particularly for transmasculine and nonbinary patients. Based in Washington, D.C., Dr. Eidelson specializes in masculinizing surgical procedures, with a focus on top surgery and body contouring. She completed a prestigious fellowship in Gender-Affirming Surgery at GRS Montréal under Dr. Pierre Brassard, where she performed over 500 gender-affirming surgeries. In 2025, she joined Dr. Praful Ramineni and the team at District Plastic Surgery. Her approach centers on creating natural-looking, affirming results while honoring each patient’s unique goals.
Top Surgery / Chest Masculinization
Top surgery is a central aspect of Dr. Eidelson’s practice, and she offers a range of techniques to match the physical characteristics and aesthetic preferences of each patient:
- Double Incision: Ideal for patients with larger chests, this approach involves two horizontal incisions and removal of breast tissue, with free nipple grafts used to reposition and resize the nipples. This technique allows for significant reshaping and chest contouring.
- Keyhole: A minimally invasive method suitable for patients with small amounts of breast tissue and good skin elasticity. The incision is made around the areola, preserving nipple sensation and leaving minimal visible scarring.
- Peri-Areolar: Often used for patients with moderate breast tissue, this method involves concentric circular incisions around the areola. It allows for tissue removal with relatively discreet scarring and may preserve nipple sensation.
- Inverted-T: Used when additional skin removal is needed, this method includes an incision around the areola and a vertical incision down the chest. It provides more control for shaping in cases of larger chests.
- Buttonhole: An advanced option similar in contouring to the double incision, but with a focus on more discreet nipple reconstruction via a small incision beneath the nipple.
In addition to chest surgery, Dr. Eidelson offers body contouring to enhance masculine features. This can include liposuction of the waist and hips, abdominal etching, or fat grafting to the upper chest or shoulders. These procedures are often performed in tandem with top surgery to maximize results and reduce overall recovery time.
Surgery Eligibility: Dr. Eidelson adheres to WPATH Standards of Care. Patients seeking gender-affirming surgery must provide at least one letter of support from a qualified mental health provider. Insurance plans may require additional documentation. The minimum age for surgery is 19 years old.
Payment Options and Insurance: Dr. Eidelson’s office accepts multiple forms of payment including cash, credit cards, checks, and medical financing through CareCredit. She works with various insurance providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and CareFirst Community Plan. Her administrative team is experienced in navigating insurance approvals for gender-affirming procedures.
Consultations: Consultations with Dr. Eidelson can be scheduled in-person, by phone, or virtually. The wait time for a consultation is 1-2 weeks. If you have insurance, the consultation fee is usually covered by standard insurance copays. Her practice is deeply committed to creating an inclusive and affirming environment—the staff is trained in LGBTQ+ cultural competency, and the office provides gender-affirming intake forms and support resources.
Why Choose Dr. Eidelson for Top Surgery?
Dr. Eidelson combines elite training, surgical precision, and a deep commitment to trans health care. Her extensive experience in trauma, plastic, and cosmetic surgery allows her to deliver results that are both aesthetically pleasing and aligned with each patient's gender identity. As one of the few fellowship-trained gender surgeons in the U.S., she provides a level of care that is both technically advanced and compassionately delivered.
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