Millions of Americans have plastic surgery annually, but relatively few are familiar with labiaplasty. This surgical procedure also is known as vaginal rejuvenation.

It is often performed on women after childbirth to lessen the outer vaginal lips and deal with other issues related to the female anatomy.

Some of the potential benefits of a labiaplasty are:

Enhanced aesthetics: Many women feel their vagina and labia are more attractive after the procedure. They may feel more open and comfortable with their partner without worries of judgment or rejection.
More comfort: A large labia can make many daily activities uncomfortable. The problem can make simple things such as riding a bike a painful experience.
More confidence: It’s harder to feel confident when there’s a physical discomfort that makes you feel bad. It’s even more challenging when that area is in an intimate body area. After the procedure, many women feel more confident and have an enhanced self-image.
More pleasure: A large labia can make intercourse uncomfortable. This problem can make many women avoid being intimate with their partners.
More clothing options: Some wardrobe options are just not possible if you have a large labia. Tight clothing is out of the question for many self-conscious women. This problem is solved after a labiaplasty.

This guide explains what labiaplasty is, why it’s done, how the procedure is done, and more.

LABIAPLASTY BENEFITS OVERVIEW

A labiaplasty is one procedure that can be performed under the umbrella term vaginal rejuvenation. New treatments and devices are being developed in this area every year, and more women are taking advantage of them.

The goal of a labiaplasty is to reduce the size of the labia minora – the inside tissues of the female genitalia – so that it’s flush with the labia majora or the outer parts of the female genitalia.

The procedure involves a variety of surgical methods depending on your situation and goals.

WHY GET A LABIAPLASTY?

Some of the reasons that women get a labiaplasty include:

Childbirth
Aging
Genetics
Sexual intercourse

There are many functional benefits to having this surgical procedure; most often, women with an enlarged labia have problems with hygiene, exercise, infections, and sexual intercourse.

Additionally, with the growing trend of wearing workout pants, yoga pants, and swimsuits, an enlarged labia can make it embarrassing to wear these items.

But another reason is that many women feel embarrassed engaging in sexual pleasure with their partners.

LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURES

There once was only one type of labiaplasty, and it was popular. Today, advanced technology has led to more techniques being developed:

Trim Procedure

This is the original labiaplasty procedure and the easiest to perform. It’s also the most common technique that surgeons use.

The extra part of the labia minora is trimmed away and sutured so that it’s symmetrical with the labia majora.

Wedge Procedure

In this newer procedure, a wedge is cut out from the thickest region of the labia minora. The submucosa is left in place by taking out only part of the thickness. This surgical procedure gives the vagina a more natural look as it preserves the wrinkled edges.

A labiaplasty has several cosmetic and functional benefits. Many women have surgery to remove the excess labia that can twist and turn and cause irritation and discomfort. Others are interested in a more youthful appearance in that area after aging or childbirth.

There are other labiaplasty procedures available that are less common. All of them have advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to discuss all the options with your board-certified plastic surgeon.

IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR LABIAPLASTY

Generally, women who dislike the appearance of the inner vaginal lips are good candidates for this procedure. If you experience labial irritation, difficulty keeping it clean, or have painful intercourse, this could be a solution. Strong candidates for the procedure should be:

In good overall health for general anesthesia and surgery
Concerned with their labia’s appearance
Experiencing discomfort with intercourse, bicycling, motorcycling, and working out
Non-smokers
Having difficulty with personal hygiene because of excess skin in the labia

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

If you think you want to have a vaginal rejuvenation surgery, below is more information about what’s ahead:

Consultation: Your plastic surgeon will talk to you about why you want a labiaplasty and will conduct a physical examination to determine if the procedure could benefit you. She’ll also want to know your medical history, past surgical procedures, medications you take, and if you smoke.
Procedure: This procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis in about an hour. Your plastic surgeon will give you local or general anesthesia before the labiaplasty. Then she will perform either the trim or wedge procedure described above.
Aftermath: Most women take a week away from work as they reduce pain and swelling with icing using an elastic undergarment. You also can lie on your backside with it elevated to reduce swelling. Your surgeon will probably give you prescription pain medication for a few days after the procedure.
Recovery: Usually, women can resume wearing tampons and having intercourse within six weeks. The trim labiaplasty surgery method offers a shorter recovery. You can expect all swelling to recede within six months. See our guide on Labiaplasty recovery week by week to be prepared.

REQUEST A HOUSTON LABIAPLASTY CONSULTATION

If you think you’re interested in a labiaplasty cosmetic surgery procedure, please set up a consultation with Houston labiaplasty surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg today.

She’ll talk to you about the benefits of labiaplasty surgery and risks to determine if you’re an ideal candidate.

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