Labiaplasty was often considered a surgical procedure that women didn’t want to talk about, but over the years, it has gained popularity. In fact, last year it was one of the most popular elective cosmetic surgery procedures.
What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a blanket term that encompasses several different cosmetic surgical procedures including: labia minora reduction, labia majora reduction, fat grafting to the labia majora, and/or reduction of the excess mucosa at the clitoral hood. The labia minora are the inner lips and the labia majora are the larger outer lips or folds of skin (hair bearing portion).
Why Do Women Opt for Labiaplasty?
A common reason women desire a labiaplasty is to restore the youthful appearance of their vagina after changes occur associated with hormones from pregnancy, childbirth and/or aging.
Increased hormone exposure with puberty, pregnancy, menopause, etc. can cause the tissue of the labia minora and clitoral hood to grow. Trauma from regular sexual intercourse and/or vaginal childbirth can physically stretch both the labia minora and labia majora. The enlarged labia minora will then protrude past the labia majora. This exposure can cause the tissue to thicken and become darker in color.
Weight loss and normal aging can also lead to deflated stretched out labia majora.
Am I a Candidate for a Labiaplsty?
If you want to change the cosmetic appearance of your vagina because you are self-conscious when intimate, you may be a candidate.
If you experience pain or discomfort with exercise, intercourse or tight clothing, you may be a candidate.
Is My Daughter too Young for a Labiaplasty?
Many teens have enlarged labia minora after puberty and experience discomfort when participating in sports. Teens that are involved in dance or cheerleading can also experience emotional stress as the enlarged labia can be seen in a leotard or cheer uniform.
A Little More About the Procedure
Once you have decided to undergo a labiaplasty, you should schedule a consultation with a respected plastic surgeon who can explain the procedure in detail and provide you with the information you need to prepare for the surgery.
It helps to know what to expect from a surgery like this before going in for the treatment. You should ask as many questions as you need to feel more comfortable about undergoing the surgery.
A straightforward labiaplasty can be done awake under local anesthesia and takes 1-1.5h to do. You can drive yourself home after the procedure.
Every case is unique, so a customized approach will be used for each individual patient. Your doctor will assess your body and take your goals into account when deciding the proper method to reach your desired goals.
Post Labiaplasty Care
As far as resuming work is concerned, in most cases you should be able to resume work in 1-2 days. If you have a manual labor job, you may need a few more days off.
There will be some light bleeding immediately after your labiaplasty that may last a few days. You may see blood in the toilet water after urinating. It is recommended to avoid placing anything into the vagina for 4-6 weeks including tampons. You should abstain from sexual intercourse for 4-6 weeks. A sanitary pad is recommended for use immediately post op until the bleeding subsides.
You should also make sure to avoid strenuous exercise and other physical activities during this period. At the end of the day, it is a surgery and you need to give your body enough rest and time to recuperate from it.
Contact Our Office
If you’re interested in learning more about the labiaplasty surgery, Dr. Erika Sato can help guide you through the entire process from beginning to end. As a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon with an eye for detail and artistic vision, she can help reshape your labia to be more aesthetically pleasing to the eye and more comfortable when you’re going about your day-to-day activities.
Contact our office to schedule your consultation today!