As with any cosmetic surgery, there are risks with labiaplasty to be aware of if you’re planning on undergoing this surgery. The good news is, complications are rare.
Up ahead, we will explore the most common complications that could occur with labiaplasty Houston.
What Are the Risks of Labiaplasty?
In terms of labiaplasty risk, complications are rare when you undergo labiaplasty because the surgery is minimally invasive and commonly performed.
Provided you find a board certified surgeon who successfully performs this surgery consistently, you should be in good hands and avoid problems.
Still, whenever undergoing surgery, it’s important to discuss risks with your doctor beforehand. Here are the most common complications that, in rare cases, may occur during or after labiaplasty and other vaginal rejuvenation procedures.
Adverse Anesthesia Reaction
Rarely, patients have an adverse reaction to the use of anesthesia during this outpatient procedure. A labiaplasty procedure can be performed with local anesthesia and IV sedation or general anesthesia. Either of these can cause side effects or even an allergic reaction.
Bleeding
Bleeding will naturally occur with incisions to the skin and tissue, but when patients have a good heart rate and normal blood pressure it is minimal. Still, after the surgical reduction of your inner labia, your incisions will be carefully closed.
In rare cases, bleeding may continue, or the incision may reopen causing more bleeding. If this occurs, it is an emergency, and you must contact your surgeon immediately.
Infection
Signs of bacterial infection include severe pain, radiating redness at the surgical site, heat upon touch of the area, and a high fever.
Uneven labiaplasty swelling that is consistently uneven may also be a sign of vaginal infections.
If any of these symptoms develop, it is critical that you contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible and seek immediate medial attention.
Loss of Sensation (or Change in Sensation)
Occasionally, a patient will experience a change or loss of sensation (numbness) on their labia minora, labia majora, or the area of the vaginal opening.
This may be due to the excess skin and excess tissue being removed and the nerves being temporarily damaged. In this way, when a change in sensation does happen, it is frequently short-lived.
If you have ongoing changes in sensation or sexual stimulation that do not correct after several months to a year, this may be permanent. However, contact your surgeon to be sure as you may have options.
Scarring & Irregularities
The labia minora have numerous folds and wrinkles, so scars are typically well-hidden after labiaplasty. Still, in rare occasions, the scars following labiaplasty may be noticeable after healing. This often depends on the type of incisions that were made and the incision locations.
Additionally, it is possible that results will appear irregular with one side of the vaginal lips being uneven or misshapen. Keep in mind, however, that this is often a short-term issue caused by uneven swelling during the healing process.
Dissatisfaction with Results
Most patients are happy after their cosmetic procedure with fully-vetted board certified surgeons. These experts know how to safely and properly reduce the size of the inner vaginal lips to the satisfaction of their patients.
However, rarely a patient may be unhappy with their results, and this may lead to a labiaplasty revision procedure. If you do not like your labiaplasty results after your incisions have fully healed, contact your surgeon to learn about your options.
The Importance of Finding the Best Labiaplasty Surgeon
Often times, unfavorable results following a labiaplasty procedure occur because the patient has not chosen a board certified surgeon or because they’ve chosen a surgeon who does not have specific experience performing the surgical technique needed for labiaplasty.
Ensuring these two conditions prior to selecting a surgeon for your procedure will often determine whether you have a positive outcome and whether you achieve your desired results.
This goes for any plastic surgery procedure. Always do your research and find a qualified surgeon who has consistent and recent experience performing the surgical procedure you are interested in. They should also be prepared to provide you with the best labiaplasty aftercare instructions.
Labiaplasty Before and Afters
One notable challenge when searching for a highly qualified surgeon for your labiaplasty is the fact that online, labiaplasty before and after photos are difficult to locate. Naturally, this is because showing this intimate area in photos online is frequently impossible.
For this reason, it’s even more important to book consultation appointments with potential plastic surgeons before your surgery.
At your consultation appointment you can talk with surgeons about their experience and look at before and after labiaplasty photos in person to get an idea of their skill level and past results.
FAQ: Risks of Labiaplasty
Is labiaplasty a high-risk surgery?
Is labiaplasty a high-risk surgery?As with any plastic surgery, there are inherent risks associated with labiaplasty. Your surgeon will go over these at your consultation appointment and prior to surgery.
With that said, generally speaking, labiaplasty is a low risk procedure.
Still, it’s important to choose a board certified, highly skilled surgeon, and to only undergo this procedure in the proper medical setting.
What are the disadvantages of labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a major surgery, despite being minimally invasive. As with any surgery, there are symptoms to be aware of, which will occur during the labiaplasty recovery period. These may include mild pain, swelling, bruising, physical discomfort, vaginal dryness, and fatigue, among others.
In addition, it is rare, but possible, that complications such as excessive bleeding, infection, altered sensation, or noticeable scarring may occur.
Can you get nerve damage from labiaplasty?
Although it is rare, it is possible to have nerve damage after labiaplasty surgery. This may result in some level of numbness or a change in sensation near the treatment site.
When can I resume sexual activity after labiaplasty?
It’s typically recommended to wait at least 4-6 weeks after labiaplasty before resuming sexual activity. It’s important to follow your surgeon’s specific post-operative instructions for optimal healing and to avoid any complications.
How much does labiaplasty cost?
A labiaplasty, like any surgical procedure, can be a significant investment. The average labiaplasty cost is between $4,000 to $10,000 USD, but the actual cost can depend on various factors.
Schedule a One-on-One Consultation Appointment
To learn more about the risks of labiaplasty surgery, what labiaplasty recovery is like, and other important information, we invite you to schedule a consultation appointment with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg.
References
https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-a-labiaplasty-and-what-does-it-involve
