Millions of Americans want plastic surgery, from liposuction to eyelid surgery. But few people have heard about labiaplasty or vaginal rejuvenation. Some women are interested in labiaplasty after having children to tighten the vaginal walls and deal with related issues in their intimate areas.

Below is more information about this procedure and what’s involved.

Types Of Labiaplasty Patients

Women who want this procedure typically are in three categories. Some have functional issues with cleanliness, sexual activity, and urination because of a large labia. Others want their labia to ‘look better’ to improve their self-esteem. And the other group has a combination of function and aesthetic concerns.

Some women have a labiaplasty with a clitoral hood reduction to take away extra skin around the clitoris. This procedure is popular to improve appearance or to offer more sexual satisfaction.

Reasons Women Have Labiaplasty

Reasons include:

Many women think their vagina and labia look better after this procedure. Perhaps they’re more open and comfortable with their partner; it may help them relax and not be concerned about rejection or judgment.
Women with large labia may have problems exercising and doing other vigorous activities. For some, just sitting on a bike can be unpleasant.
A large labia can make sex unpleasant; it can make a woman avoid intercourse entirely.
Some women lose confidence when there’s a part of their body that makes them feel bad. A labiaplasty gives them enhanced confidence and self-esteem.
Labiaplasty improves quality of life.
Medical reasons for labiaplasty

Note some women need a labiaplasty because of medical reasons. For instance, the labia can get sucked into the vagina during intercourse. This is a severe problem that needs correction.

Labiaplasty Overview

The purpose of this procedure is to take out extra tissue from your inner labia to help make the labia minora appear more in proportion with the outer labia. That excess tissue can cause embarrassment, pain, discomfort, and even medical problems. For most women, the goal is to reduce the inner labia to make it equal to the outer labia. This procedure will reduce the amount of labia tissue that can be seen when you’re standing up.

Some of the advantages of this procedure include:

Correcting function and cosmetic problems in a single procedure. Done by a skilled plastic surgeon, a labiaplasty will enhance your self-esteem and quality of life.
Most who have had a labiaplasty say they are more self-confident, especially in the bedroom and wearing a swimsuit.
Reduced friction after a labiaplasty makes it easier to enjoy sex, sports, and other activities.

Some disadvantages include:

Recovering from a labiaplasty takes time. Many patients can return to their regular activities after 30 days. But some women may have to wait two months to have intercourse again.
Some patients say they have skin problems in their genitals after labiaplasty surgery. These include unusual wrinkles on the skin of the labia and odd pigmentation on the labia.
Women sometimes just don’t like the results. The most frequent complaint is the size of the clitoris and surrounding tissue compared to her vulva. Sometimes, revision surgery is required.

Types of Labiaplasty Surgery

There are two types of labiaplasty surgery, a trim labiaplasty procedure and a wedge procedure. Which labiaplasty technique is best for your case will be determined by your board-certified plastic surgeon.

Trim Labiaplasty

A trim labiaplasty is the oldest labiaplasty technique and is still performed most frequently. With a trim labiplasty your plastic surgeon takes out extra skin from the inner labia and puts in sutures. With a trim labiaplasty the labia minora is in proportion to the labia majora. A trim labiaplasty has been around for quite some time, when considering a trim labiaplasty it is important to know that the trim labiaplasty has a long established track record. A trim labiaplasty is a common choice for a reason, it is proven to provide excellent results.

Wedge Procedure

With this type of labiaplasty, the wedge technique is used. The wedge technique involves the surgeon removing the thickest part of your labia minora. When performing the wedge technique (wedge labiaplasty) your surgeon keeps the submucosa there and removes only the thickest part. This newer wedge technique gives the vagina a more natural look. This labiaplasty technique helps keep the wrinkled edges.

Who Are Candidates For A Labiaplasty?

Patients who dislike the appearance of their vaginal lips may be ideal candidates for this procedure. Also, if your labia is irritated, or you have painful intercourse, or hygiene issues, this could be a suitable procedure for you.

You may also want to think about a labiaplasty if you are:

In excellent health and won’t have complications with anesthesia and major surgery
Concerned about the appearance of your labia
Having painful sexual intercourse, biking, or engaging in other exercises
A non-smoker
Having trouble keeping your genitals clean

Recovering From A Labiaplasty

Expect your labiaplasty recovery to take from three to five days. You can expect labiaplasty swelling and bruising during this early period, minor spotting, and some pain and discomfort.

Also, urinating and sitting during this time may cause pain. The best option is to lie down and rest as much as possible. Your swelling and bleeding will subside after a few days with enough rest.

You can speed recovery by sleeping more, keeping your pelvis elevated, applying ice or cold compresses, and taking Tylenol. Try putting a bag of crushed ice on the area for up to 30 minutes to reduce swelling.

Note that a labiaplasty can be performed with other procedures in a mommy makeover.

Questions and Answers

Does labiaplasty ruin sensation?

In this process, surgeons exclusively eliminate non-sensitive tissue, minimizing risks. With a proficient surgeon, reduced sexual sensation is unlikely; combining labiaplasty with clitoral hood reduction may even enhance experiences.

Will insurance cover labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is generally viewed as a cosmetic intervention, not covered by insurance. Patients usually bear the cost themselves, although some rare cases of medical necessity may be covered by certain insurance plans.

How long do you have to stay in bed after labiaplasty?

In the second week, engage in light activities with breaks. Non-strenuous work is possible 1-2 weeks post-surgery. Avoid aerobic exercises for the initial 3 weeks to maintain stable heart rate and blood pressure.

Wedge labiaplasty or trim labiaplasty? Which labiaplasty technique is right for me?

When it comes to choosing between a wedge labiaplasty and a trim labiaplasty, the choice comes down to you and your surgeon. Your surgeon will educate you about the differences between a wedge labiaplasty and a trim procedure. Many are very happy with the wedge labiaplasty because it retains a very natural appearance after surgery. There are many questions patients often have about a wedge labiaplasty both in terms of the aesthetic results and the recovery time, your surgeon should be able to answer them confidently.

A trim technique is a more straightforward process, and while the trim technique is the oldest and most commonly performed, many find the very natural results of the wedge technique appealing. Ultimately whether you go with the trim technique or a wedge labiaplasty, your surgeon will help answer all your questions and guide you along the way to help you choose the surgery that is perfect for you

Request a Labiaplasty Consultation

Interested in a labiaplasty? Questions about a wedge labiaplasty? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits of a labiaplasty and determine if you’re a good candidate.