Male Chest Surgery Expert Offering Top Surgery in the Washington, DC Area
Dr. Marwan Khalifeh is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery who has dedicated a significant part of his practice to male chest surgery and contouring. Based in McLean, Virginia, he offers masculinizing top surgery for patients throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Dr. Khalifeh performs more than 200 gynecomastia surgeries each year, treating cisgender men who have excess breast tissue and want a flatter, more masculine chest. This high surgical volume gives him extensive experience across a wide range of male chest anatomy, from smaller amounts of glandular tissue to more complex cases involving excess skin, asymmetry, and previous chest surgery. He also works with athletic and bodybuilding patients, where pectoral definition, a smooth and proportional contour, and discreet scar placement are important considerations.
That experience has direct applications in gender-affirming top surgery. Both procedures require careful management of breast tissue, fat, and skin to create a masculine chest, with attention to nipple and areola position, scar placement, symmetry, and contour over the pectoral muscles. This overlap is especially relevant to techniques such as keyhole and peri-areolar top surgery, where smaller incisions place greater emphasis on precise tissue removal and contouring.
Masculinizing Top Surgery
Dr. Khalifeh offers several approaches to masculinizing top surgery, allowing the surgical plan to account for differences in chest size, skin quality, nipple position, and the amount of tissue and skin that need to be removed.
Double incision top surgery allows for removal of larger amounts of breast tissue and excess skin and is one of the techniques Dr. Khalifeh offers for those with larger chests or when more extensive skin removal is needed.
Keyhole and peri-areolar top surgery may be options for people with smaller chests and minimal excess skin. These techniques use incisions around or near the areola, resulting in less visible scarring than double incision top surgery. Careful removal of breast tissue and chest contouring are especially important with these approaches.
Dr. Khalifeh also offers inverted-T and buttonhole top surgery, providing additional options when anatomy or surgical goals call for a different approach.
Body masculinization surgery is also available and can often be performed at the same time as top surgery.
Gynecomastia Surgery and Its Relationship to Top Surgery
While gynecomastia surgery and gender-affirming top surgery are performed for different reasons, there are similarities in the surgical techniques used in both procedures to shape a masculine chest.
Gynecomastia surgery involves removing excess glandular tissue and, when necessary, fat and skin. Depending on the anatomy, surgery may also involve reshaping the chest around the nipples and areolas and creating a smooth, symmetrical contour over the pectoral muscles. These same anatomical considerations play an important role in top surgery.
The similarities are particularly apparent when comparing gynecomastia surgery with keyhole and peri-areolar top surgery. In these procedures, breast tissue can be removed through relatively small incisions while much of the existing chest skin remains in place. The final result depends on removing the right amount of tissue and creating a smooth, masculine chest contour that complements the underlying pectoral muscles.
Education & Training
Dr. Khalifeh graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
He earned his medical degree from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, receiving the Top Spear Award and induction into Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society.
His surgical training continued at Johns Hopkins University, where he trained in general surgery and plastic and reconstructive surgery and was selected as Chief Resident. He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
Academic & Professional Contributions
Dr. Khalifeh has held academic and surgical leadership positions, including serving as an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of a Cosmetic Surgery Education Program. He has contributed to surgical education and is the author of research papers and book chapters.
He has also served as Section Chief of Plastic Surgery at Reston Hospital.
His work in gynecomastia and male aesthetic surgery has been covered by national and regional media. The Washington Post visited his practice for an in-depth report on the growing number of men seeking breast reduction surgery, observing a procedure and interviewing Dr. Khalifeh about surgical techniques and the reasons people seek treatment. His cosmetic surgery work has also been featured on FOX and ABC television broadcasts and in Modern Luxury DC.
Dr. Khalifeh is an active U.S. Navy Reserve officer providing surgical care to military personnel.
Other Gender-Affirming Procedures
In addition to masculinizing top surgery and body masculinization, Dr. Khalifeh offers breast augmentation and buttock augmentation.
Why Patients Choose Dr. Khalifeh
- More than 20 years in plastic surgery: Dr. Khalifeh has over two decades of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
- Expert in male chest surgery: His experience spans a wide range of male chest anatomy, including complex and revision cases.
- Multiple top surgery techniques: He offers double incision, peri-areolar, keyhole, inverted-T, and buttonhole top surgery.
Consultations
Dr. Khalifeh offers both virtual and in-person consultations. Your initial consultation is an opportunity to discuss your medical history and specific concerns regarding top surgery. During your consultation, he will evaluate your chest, discuss your goals for top surgery, and explain which surgical techniques may be appropriate for your anatomy.
- Consultation fee: $150
- Typical consultation wait: 1 week or less
- Typical wait for surgery: Approximately 6 weeks
Dr. Khalifeh welcomes patients traveling to the Washington, DC area for top surgery, with virtual consultations available for those who live a distance away.
Dr. Khalifeh’s practice uses gender-affirming intake forms, and staff receive sensitivity training. The office also emphasizes compassion and kindness when hiring staff.
In addition to English, languages spoken at the practice include Spanish, French, and Arabic.
Costs, Financing & Insurance
Dr. Khalifeh accepts cash, credit cards, checks, and medical financing through CareCredit.
Dr. Khalifeh is an out-of-network provider but has had success obtaining coverage from Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Coverage varies by plan and procedure, so patients should confirm their out-of-network benefits and any authorization requirements with their insurance company.
Surgery Requirements
- Patients must be adults with persistent and well-documented gender dysphoria.
- Medical or mental health concerns, when present, should be well managed.
Contact Dr. Khalifeh
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