Fellowship-Trained Plastic Surgeon Specializing in Top Surgery & Gender-Affirming Surgery in Northern Virginia
Dr. Cassie Nghiem, MD is a highly trained and compassionate plastic surgeon at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Reston, Virginia. Ivy League-educated and fellowship-trained, she has extensive experience in gender-affirming procedures, particularly Top Surgery (masculinizing chest surgery) and Breast Augmentation, as well as body contouring. Known for her surgical precision and artistry, Dr. Nghiem combines technical excellence with a warm, patient-centered approach.
Education and Training
Dr. Nghiem’s path began at Dartmouth College, where she earned her undergraduate degree, followed by a master’s in physiology and biophysics at Georgetown University. She earned her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, consistently ranked among the top medical programs in the country.
She then completed an elite Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of Rochester, before advancing her skills through a prestigious Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Fellowship in Northern Virginia.
Dr. Nghiem’s academic background and fellowship training reflect her dedication to excellence in patient care and surgical outcomes. Over the past three years, she has performed an average of five Top Surgeries per week, with approximately 85% of her patients identifying as transgender.
Feminizing Surgery Procedures in Reston
Dr. Nghiem provides a range of gender-affirming feminizing procedures, including:
- MTF Top Surgery (Breast Augmentation with saline or silicone implants, with or without fat grafting and periareolar lift)
- Feminizing Body Contouring to enhance feminine proportions
FTM Top Surgery in Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, and Across Northern Virginia
Dr. Nghiem is skilled in multiple methods of Top Surgery, including:
- Double Incision
- Keyhole
- Peri-Areolar
- Inverted-T
- Buttonhole
She also offers masculinizing body contouring in Reston VA to create a more masculine shape. During consultation, she works closely with each patient to determine which procedure best fits their goals, anatomy, and healing profile.
Dr. Nghiem performs all procedures at Austin-Weston, The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Reston, VA.
She is affiliated with Sibley Memorial Hospital, Suburban Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, INOVA Fairfax, and INOVA Fair Oaks, though her gender-affirming procedures are exclusively performed at Austin-Weston.
Costs and Financing
| Procedure | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Top Surgery | Starting at $12,050 |
| Breast Augmentation | Starting at $6,700 |
These fees include the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia, operating room, recovery garments, and all pre- and post-op visits. Fees are general estimates only (as of September 2025). Exact pricing can only be determined following a consultation.
Payment methods accepted: Cash, credit card, check, and medical financing (CareCredit). Dr. Nghiem does not accept insurance, Medicaid or Medicare at this time.
Consultations for Gender-Affirming Surgery in Reston VA
- Consultation types: In-person, phone, and virtual
- Fee: $100, applied toward surgery cost
- Wait times: Consultation in 1–2 weeks; surgery within 3–6 weeks after consultation.
- Languages spoken at the practice: English, Spanish, Vietnamese
Austin-Weston has implemented strong gender-affirming practices to ensure that patients feel welcomed, including:
- Inclusive intake forms with options for self-description
- Separate preferred name vs. legal name fields
- Mandatory staff cultural competency training
- Consistent correct use of pronouns and names
- Zero-tolerance for discrimination
- LGBTQ+ friendly environment, including media, communication, and community presence (e.g., participation in Reston Pride Festival 2025)
Surgery Requirements
- Medical clearance (patient-dependent)
- Smoking cessation at least 1 month before surgery
- Not currently pregnant
Additionally, Dr. Nghiem follows WPATH selection criteria, which require:
- Hormone therapy (for some procedures)
- One or two referral letters from a qualified mental health professional that include:
- Patient’s general information
- Psychosocial assessment and diagnoses
- Duration of the physician–client relationship
- Surgical criteria explanation with a brief description of the clinical rationale supporting the request
- Documentation of informed consent
- Statement that the mental health professional is available for coordination of care (meaning they can be contacted by the surgeon or care team if questions arise about the assessment or support)
Patient Testimonials
“Dr. Nghiem was so gentle and thorough and my surgery came out to be a masterpiece! Her bed side manner is so caring and gentle and I felt super confident I was going to be taken care of with little to no mistakes. Thank you for a wonderful, life changing experience.” – Thuy N.
Have questions for Dr. Nghiem? Contact her office by clicking the Send Inquiry button.
