Experienced & Trusted Plastic Surgeon for Top Surgery in Pittsburgh
Dr. Lorelei Grunwaldt, MD, FACS is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who is recognized as one of the best plastic surgeons in the Pittsburgh area due to her exceptional skills and compassionate bedside manner. Dr. Grunwaldt has helped countless transgender and non-binary adults and teens by providing a safe and caring atmosphere throughout their Top Surgery and Breast Augmentation journeys. She is honored to be able to share her surgical talents and be a trusted member of her patients’ transition team.
Dr. Grunwaldt is a graduate of Harvard College, the undergraduate college of Harvard University. She completed medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical University and subsequently completed her general surgery residency at BIDMC, a Harvard teaching hospital. Finding her skills and interests aligned with plastic surgery, Dr. Grunwaldt then completed her plastic surgery residency at the University of Cincinnati. She then received fellowship training in craniofacial surgery at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. From 2009-2020, Dr. Grunwaldt served as associate professor of plastic surgery at UPMC, the #1 hospital in Pittsburgh, and currently serves as clinical associate professor of plastic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Grunwaldt has obtained board certification with the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Association of Plastic Surgeons, the Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Grunwaldt is also an active member of a regional organization that discusses trans care, and will be a speaker at the Trans Pride Pittsburgh Conference in 2021.
Between 50-75% of Dr. Grunwaldt’s patients are transgender and non-binary and to ensure that all feel welcomed, her practice has gender-affirming intake forms and both office and surgery center staff have received sensitivity training.
Dr. G is a Great Person and Surgeon – I had a great experience with Dr. Grunwaldt. Dr. G is a fantastic surgeon and person. Dr. G can facilitate the experience and results that every trans person endeavoring to reach this milestone in their transition deserves. My surgery results have blown me away and my friends have offered endless compliments of Dr. G’s work. I am thankful to have met Dr. G and it is incredibly special that her work will forever be part of me. – Top Surgery patient (source: RealSelf.com)
Top Surgery Pittsburgh
Dr. Grunwaldt has performed Top Surgery on hundreds of transgender and non-binary adults. She offers the Keyhole, Peri-areolar and Double Incision methods of Top Surgery. In all three types of procedures, a drain will be placed on each side of the chest, and a dressing will be placed around the chest that will stay in place until your first post-op appointment with Dr. Grunwaldt. When nipple grafts are performed with Double Incision, there will also be a special dressing (bolsters) placed over the nipple-areolar complex that will be removed at your first post-op appointment. You’ll also see Dr. Grunwaldt for follow-up 6 weeks after your surgery.
Dr. Grunwaldt has developed techniques for removing chest skin and tissue in a way that minimizes scarring. She has a less than 1% infection risk with Top Surgery and to reduce this risk even more, all patients are put on a course of antibiotics after surgery.
To minimize feminine-looking curves that haven’t been reduced through exercise or testosterone, Dr. Grunwaldt also performs Body Masculinization Surgery. Using liposuction, Dr. Grunwaldt can broaden the appearance of the chest and shoulders while slimming the waist, to create the classic V-shape male figure. The areas commonly treated to achieve this are the chest and back, abdomen, flanks, hips, buttocks and thighs, and multiple areas can be treated in one surgery.
Breast Augmentation Pittsburgh
For her transfeminine patients, Dr. Grunwaldt offers Breast Augmentation. She achieves the appropriate breast contour, fullness and symmetry using breast implants. Breast implants can be placed on top of the chest muscles or beneath them. Recovery time is slightly shorter and there is less pain when they are placed underneath. Dr. Grunwaldt will discuss the pros and cons of each approach with you at your consultation. As breast implants come in a variety of shapes, or profiles, Dr. Grunwaldt will also speak with you how much breast projection, width and volume you would like and will make appropriate recommendations for breast implant size and shape.
Dr. Grunwaldt provides a post-operative support bra that is to be worn for the first 6 weeks after surgery. Most patients can return to work in a week or so as long as this does not involve lifting anything over 2.5 lbs.
To further enhance your feminine curves, Dr. Grunwaldt also offers Body Feminization. Using liposuction, Dr. Grunwaldt can remove excess fat from the abdomen, waist and mid back, and some of the extracted fat can be transferred to augment curves in the thighs and buttocks.
Dr. Grunwaldt and her team are also proud to provide a full range of non-surgical facial procedures to improve skin quality and eliminate wrinkles.
| Procedure | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Top Surgery – Double Incision, Peri-Areolar, Keyhole | $9500 |
| Breast Augmentation | $9500 |
| Body Sculpting | Varies |
Surgery Costs
Exact pricing can only be determined following a consultation. Pricing includes surgeon’s fee only. Additional anesthesia and facility fees apply. Dr. Grunwaldt accepts cash, credit card, check and medical financing (ex. CareCredit.) Insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted.
Surgeries are performed at Tri State Surgical Center. Dr. Grunwaldt is affiliated with Advanced Surgical Hospital. Both facilities are located in Washington, Pennsylvania, which is about 40 minutes south-west of Pittsburgh.
Surgery Requirements
- One support letter from a qualified mental health professional.
- Smoking or vaping nicotine products needs to be stopped least 4 weeks before and after surgery.
- If you are taking blood thinning medications you’ll need to let Dr. Grunwaldt know prior to surgery.
- The facility where Dr. Grunwaldt operates has a BMI limit of 30.
- Age 18+
- Good physical and mental health.
Booking Your Consultation
Dr. Grunwaldt offers in-person consultations for a fee of $100. The wait time for a consult is 2 weeks, with surgery dates booked 1-6 weeks after consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Grunwaldt will answer all your questions about the procedure and recovery. Her goal in performing your surgery is to help you feel at one with your body and boost your self-confidence. Se habla Español.
