Labiaplasty - Discover what it is and how it can benefit you

Labiaplasty is one of the most common vaginal rejuvenation procedures currently performed on female patients in order to reduce the size of the inner flaps of skin located on either side of the vagina. These inner flaps of skin are also known as the labia minora. In general, the surgery improves the overall look of the vagina while also relieving the symptoms that result from having enlarged labia minora.

Cosmetic Town TV recently sat down with Dr. Gary Alter, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, to discuss the benefits of the procedure and to learn more about how it is performed.

Ideal Candidates

There are many women who are ideal candidates for labiaplasty and they include:

• Women who feel a sensation such as a tugging or twisting when having intercourse or exercising
• Females that have irritation or itching while wearing clothes that fit tightly
• Patients that are self-conscious about the appearance of their labia
• Women with a labia that is asymmetric and have one side that is longer than the other

Procedure Overview

Labiaplasty is most often performed using general anesthesia and take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to perform.

The labiaplasty technique that gives the most natural looking results is the central wedge technique. The surgeon will remove a wedge, often described as a “pie slice”, from the area of each labium that is protruding the most. The top portion of the labium will then be sutured to the bottom portion. The end result is a smaller labium with a normal anatomy.

Surgeons can also trim each side of the labium along the entire edge. It should be noted that this technique can result in a long scar along the entire labium as well as an irregular appearance of the edge of the labium.

What Is the Cost and the Results of Labiaplasty?

In general, the cost of labiaplasty is anywhere from $3000-$12,000. The final cost depends on the type of anesthesia used, the geographic location of the surgery and if health insurance covers any of the cost due to the pain that results from exercise or intercourse.

Once the surgery is complete, the patient will feel some tenderness and also feel some bruising and swelling. There might be some mild stinging while urinating after the procedure.

Patients can generally return to work within a few days of the surgery. There might be some friction during walking and this can lead to discomfort on the part of the patient. Patients should avoid carrying anything heavy for the first week after surgery. Tampons should not be worn for 4-6 weeks and intercourse should be avoided for at least 6 weeks.

What are the Results of Labiaplasty?

The results of a labiaplasty surgery might be hard to see for a few weeks due to swelling. Around the six week mark, 80\\% of the swelling should be subsided. This will allow the patient to view the new appearance of the labia which will be smaller and more natural in appearance.  The final results can be expected by 6 months post-op. In general, the results are long lasting but events such as a pregnancy, or the natural effects of aging, can alter the results.  

Are There any Risks when Having Labiaplasty?

There are many common risks when it comes to undergoing a labiaplasty surgery. Some of the most common risks include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Temporary Numbness
• Changes in Pigmentation
• Hematoma
• Pain
• Asymmetry
• Changes in sensation
• Scar tissue buildup
• Sexual dysfunction/Sexual issues
• Scarring at the vaginal opening from too much skin removal

How to Find the Best Surgeon

While many women are self-conscious about the shape and size of the labia minora, they are often not aware of the fact that labiaplasty can correct the issue. Patients that want to undergo labiaplasty should schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon that performs the procedure on a regular basis. During the consultation, the patient should ask how many years of experience the doctor has performing labiaplasty and should also ask to see any “before and after photos” of patients that have undergone labiaplasty with the surgeon. An experienced surgeon can provide results that are natural in appearance as well as long lasting.

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