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 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.

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 labia minora. That excess tissue can cause embarrassment, pain, discomfort, and even medical problems. For most women, the goal is to reduce the labia minora 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 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 Procedures

There are two labiaplasty procedures. Which is best for your case will be determined by your board-certified plastic surgeon.

Trim Procedure

This type of labiaplasty is the oldest and is still performed most frequently. Your plastic surgeon takes out extra skin from the labia minora and puts in sutures. The labia minora is in proportion to the labia majora.

Wedge Procedure

This type of labiaplasty involves the surgeon removing the thickest part of your labia minora. Your surgeon keeps the submucosa there and removes only the thickest part. This newer procedure gives the vagina a more natural look as it keeps 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, 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 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.

Reuest a Houston Labiaplasty Consultation

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

References

Labiaplasty – About. (March 20210. Accessed at https://www.verywellhealth.com/why-would-a-woman-get-a-labiaplasty-2709970#

Labiaplasty Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.realself.com/surgical/labiaplasty

Everything You Need To Know About Labiaplasty. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/labiaplasty