Labiaplasty: What Is It, | Risks, Results, Options and Cost

Introduction

Labiaplasty is an aesthetic and functional intimate surgery whose objective is to harmonize the external appearance of the vulva and above all, eliminate the discomfort that excess tissue may cause at the level of the labia minora for sports activities, use of clothing interior, etc. Women who decide to undergo this procedure do so mainly for cosmetic reasons, although it can also be a reconstructive surgery, when, for example, it affects the performance of daily activities. Labiaplasty is on the rise in Western and Latin countries, where the taboo of female aesthetics has been lifted for some years, giving rise to intimate aesthetic concerns, previously non-existent.

What is labiaplasty?

Reduction labiaplasty – the most widely practiced type of labiaplasty – consists of removing excess skin from the labia minora, taking into account not to exceed certain limits. We also speak of the term “hypertrophy” to refer to excess tissue, to varying degrees, in the labia minora that causes discomfort to some women or creates psychological or physical problems.

When the labia minora protrude several centimeters from the labia majora, the use of some garments can be problematic and painful, such as tight jeans or lace underwear, as explained by. This hypertrophy can also cause irritation or discomfort when walking, during the practice of some sports (such as horseback riding or cycling), or in the practice of high-level sports. Sometimes discomfort can arise even during sexual intercourse, where the labia minora can interfere with penetration. In these cases, surgery assessment is recommended to improve the quality of life of our patients.

In intimate surgery, one should focus on talking about functional-aesthetic surgery, since sometimes even though there is no clear hypertrophy due to not having an excess of the skin of more than 2-4 cm or more, it can cause discomfort and in each case should be evaluated in a personalized way.

We remind you that it is not a surgery to increase sexual pleasure.

Who can do it?

Women who have real discomfort regarding their vulva, whether for aesthetic or physical reasons, are candidates for a labiaplasty, as experts from the Teknon Medical Center comment.

However, the candidates must be in good health and of legal age, since it is recommended to perform this procedure once puberty is over so that the genitals are fully developed. However, this surgery can sometimes be performed in cases of significant hypertrophy in women under 18 years of age that is affecting their activities of daily living.

“The perception of the ‘normal’ appearance of the labia minora is influenced by culture, exposure to idealized photographs in the media, the opinions of health professionals and family, friends and partners “.

How to choose my surgeon?

You can go to a specialist in female intimate surgery to perform this intervention. The professional of your choice must be experienced and qualified

We also advise you to take your time to find your surgeon; Look for opinions in forums, read all the available comments, and consult various professionals to find a doctor who makes you feel comfortable.

What happens during the first consultation with the surgeon?

This first contact will allow you to know all the details of a labiaplasty.

At first, your surgeon will ask you a series of questions to take a complete medical history. You will tell him what your motivations are, your expectations, etc. Then he will examine you to propose a solution. Will explain in detail c OW intervention is done, how to prepare, what the postoperative period and take the opportunity to resolve all your doubts. Ultimately they will provide you with a complete budget.

If you decide to proceed with the surgery, they will make an appointment for you for a new consultation to better prepare for the intervention.

What types are there?

The most common labiaplasty consists of reducing the size of the labia minora, however, there are 3 different types of intervention, as tells us :

• Reduction of the labia majora: Sometimes it is the labia majora that are too large or those that sag due to a loss of tone. In this case, the surgeon will remove the excess fat that causes hypertrophy of the labia majora.
• Labia minora reduction: occurs when the labia minora are too large and protrude from the majora, causing physical or aesthetic discomfort
• Labia majora augmentation: You can increase the size of the labia majora to harmonize the vulva (instead of removing excess skin from the labia minora), or to rejuvenate the area.

In addition, many times when this intervention is considered, the whole has to be assessed and it may be necessary to perform surgery at the level of the clitoral hood together with a sexy or not of the clitoris itself. Each situation has to be assessed in a personalized way.

Preparation of the intervention

We leave you a list of tips to prepare for surgery:

• Stop smoking at least 1 month before and 1 month after the procedure to facilitate healing
• Stop taking anti-inflammatory medications at least 15 days before. Follow the analgesic guideline suggested by your doctor.
• You will have an appointment with the anesthetist at least 48 hours before the intervention
• The night before and the morning of surgery you will have to shower with antiseptic

Anesthesia and hospitalization

It is a quick procedure that takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour. It is generally performed under local anesthesia with sedation, although you can also ask your doctor for general anesthesia if you prefer.

It is an outpatient surgery, which allows you to return home as soon as you have been discharged from the doctor.

If you perform a laser labiaplasty, you will have a postoperative similar to the surgery that is performed with a cold scalpel and an electric scalpel. Later rest and post-surgical care are important.

What techniques are there?

There are several techniques, your surgeon will choose the one that best suits your case based on several parameters (anatomy + expectations):

• Wedge technique: Excess skin is removed in a V shape, at the level of the area where the lip ends. This technique offers a very natural result because it maintains the anatomy of the labia minora. However, there is an increased risk of disunity (loosening of the stitches), which may require the resumption of the scar under local anesthesia or new intervention.

• Linear technique: This method involves removing excess skin along the entire length of the lip, from the lower pillar of the clitoral hood to the end of the lip. The scar is made on the edge of the lip. This technique is recommended for patients who suffer from hypertrophy along the entire length of the lip and wish to eliminate the hyperpigmented border.
• Laser labiaplasty: According to, this procedure should also be performed in an operating room since in an office the risks for the patient are higher. All surgical acts should be performed in a surgical environment, whether laser or not. Later recovery is slightly better but you cannot return to normal life immediately as the risk of bruising and opening of the stitches is high.

Postoperative

• The direct postoperative

The surgeon will give you instructions on the type of care to be performed and on the activities that you will have to avoid during the first days after your surgery.

You may feel some pain, so your doctor will prescribe some pain relievers. You are also likely to bleed slightly, although this is not very common. You can use intimate protection to feel more comfortable these days. It is advisable to wear cotton underwear and baggy pants or skirts, so as not to squeeze the crotch and thus facilitate healing.

• During the first week

During this phase, you may have edema in the vulvar area, and the lips may have an asymmetrical appearance that will disappear as soon as the edema has deflated. Listen to your surgeon’s advice on personal hygiene. Use water and special intimate soap to gently wash the genital area and rub. You will be able to return to work between 2 and 7 days after surgery, as long as you feel ready and your doctor allows it.

• Day 7 to 30

The swelling goes down little by little. The absorbable stitches fall off on their own between 10 and 15 days after the operation.

• After 1st month

You can resume progressive sexual and physical activity. After 4 weeks, you can also use tampons again during your next period. You can go back to your normal daily habits. The scars are almost invisible after the first month but will continue to evolve for an entire year.

Results

The results of a labiaplasty can be seen for the first time after 3 months, but you will have to wait a whole year to discover the final result. It is a surgery with a high degree of satisfaction, women feel more comfortable with their bodies and greatly reduce the discomfort that they previously presented. This procedure also has a positive impact on a psychological level; women no longer have a complex and can thus improve their sexual life.

Risks and complications

As it is an invasive procedure, there are possible risks associated with anesthesia and also with the surgical act. We count the following complications:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Disunity
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• A slight decrease in sensitivity
• Asymmetric scars
• Hypercorrection

Frequently asked questions

• It is painful? It is a simple surgery and very little pain. Your surgeon will prescribe painkillers to ease the pain.
• How long will I be off work? This depends on the recovery process of each one, but in general, you can discharge after 2 days or a week.
• How long do I have to wait before resuming sexual activity? It is recommended to wait 4 weeks after a longitudinal labiaplasty and 6 weeks after a triangular one.
• Can you give birth after this surgery? There is no relationship between labiaplasty and vaginal delivery; operated patients can give birth normally.
• From what age can I have surgery? It is preferable that the patient is of legal age or has passed the period of puberty, to have fully developed sexual organs
• Is there a link between labiaplasty and sexual pleasure? It has nothing to do with sexual pleasure. In the case of women who wish to perform this procedure for aesthetic reasons, there is no direct link between labiaplasty and sexual pleasure. However, patients usually feel a great improvement during their sexual relations, which is mainly due to a psychological factor; since they feel more sure of themselves. In the case of women who undergo surgery because they have hypertrophic lips (labia minora obstructing penetration), we notice a great improvement in the quality of sexual intercourse.
• What are the interventions to increase sexual pleasure? Women seeking to improve their sex life can turn to other types of interventions such as vaginoplasty or G-spot augmentation.