Labiaplasty

Some women are self-conscious about the appearance of their vagina, in particular their labia (the inner and outer lips of the vulva). If you feel your labia are too long, asymmetrical, or abnormal in appearance, you might have felt a drop in self-confidence when it comes to sex. Or the size of your labia might be a source of discomfort and pain during exercise or sex.

If you find yourself in this position, you don’t have to live with it. A labiaplasty could boost your self-esteem and improve your quality of life. Let’s look at what this procedure entails and what its benefits are.

Labiaplasty: An Overview

A labiaplasty is also known as a labial reduction or vaginal rejuvenation. It’s a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of the labia minora (the inner flaps of skin on both sides of the vaginal opening). A labiaplasty carries a range of benefits like:

• Improved labia appearance
• Enhanced sexual pleasure
• Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
• Increased comfort while exercising, playing sports, during sex, or when wearing tighter-fitting clothing
• Reduction in chafing and pinching

The Difference Between Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty

You may have come across the terms labiaplasty and vaginoplasty before and not known exactly what they difference is. The labiaplasty procedure focuses on your labia, whereas a vaginoplasty relates to the vaginal canal. The aim of a labiaplasty is usually to reduce the size of the labia. A vaginoplasty helps to tighten a vagina that has widened over time, usually due to childbirth.

Eligibility for a Labiaplasty

You may be a good candidate for a labiaplasty if you struggle with any of these issues:

• You’ve always had large or irregular inner labia.
• You have significant labia changes since giving birth.
• One side of the labia is significantly larger than the other.
• The labia minora are more prominent than the labia major (outer lips).
• It’s difficult to insert tampons.
• You experience pain or difficulty during sex, exercise, walking, or riding a bike.
• You feel discomfort when wearing underwear, pants, or tight clothing.
• Your labia appear prominent while wearing a swimsuit or spandex clothing.

You may not be a good candidate for a labiaplasty if you want to get the procedure done because:

• Someone you know opted for a labiaplasty
• You heard it’s popular and therefore feel you need it
• Someone else has pressured you into getting one

Labiaplasty: The Consultation

One way to find out whether labia surgery is the solution for you is to come in for a consultation with one of our board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeons. Our expert surgeons understand the issues faced by women who struggle with the appearance of their labia. When you come in for a one-on-one consultation, he’ll discuss the procedure with you in-depth, so you fully understand the surgery before deciding whether it’s the right course of action for you. The following topics may be discussed:

• Your desired outcome and expectations
• Medical history, as well as any medical conditions
• Current use of prescription drugs, dietary supplements, alcohol, tobacco, and/or recreational drugs
• Allergies
• Risks of the procedure

Labiaplasty: The Procedure

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that can be done under local anesthesia with oral sedation or by using general anesthesia. In most cases, a labiaplasty is a trimming procedure. Your doctor will make an incision and remove the outer edge of the labia minora, so it becomes even with the labia majora. After the extra tissue has been removed, he will sew up both sides of the labia minora for healing. Another method is the wedge technique. When using this labiaplasty technique, your doctor will remove a V-shaped wedge from both sides of the labia minora. Then he’ll stitch those remaining edges together, creating smaller labia. When performing a labiaplasty, a cosmetic surgeon can also reduce the extra folds of the clitoral hood. This helps create the ideal appearance you’re hoping for. The whole labiaplasty procedure takes one to two hours. Many patients can go home same day.

Labiaplasty: The Recovery

After your labiaplasty procedure, you should be able to return home right away, but we recommend you take about a week off from work to recover. You can reduce swelling and pain by icing the area with a cold pack. We recommend you sandwich the cold pack between your undergarments and an elastic garment. You’ll be able to use tampons and have sex after four to six weeks. The waiting period may be shorter for the trim technique. Most swelling will be gone after six weeks, although it may be up to six months before the residual swelling is completely gone.

Labiaplasty Risks

Since a labiaplasty is a surgical procedure, there are risks you should be aware of. Potential side effects, complications, and risks of vaginal rejuvenation include:

• Excessive bleeding, pain, and/or swelling
• Wound infection
• Over or under correction
• Asymmetry
• Scarring
• Delayed wound healing
• Changes in sensation or numbness
• Risks or complications associated with general anesthesia (including adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions, and heart and lung complications)
• Other complications that require further surgery

Keep us updated on the results of your labiaplasty. If any of complications occur, book a follow-up consultation with one of our board-certified and fellowship-trained cosmetic surgeons. Our surgeons always have your best interests at heart. Your doctor will address your concerns, so you can achieve your ideal results.

How to Pay for a Labiaplasty

Our office accepts a variety of financing options for a labiaplasty. One option is to use healthcare credit cards supplied by Synchrony Bank (CareCredit®) and Comenity® Capital Bank (Alphaeon Credit®). Some of our patients prefer to use a secured loan from United Medical Credit or Enhance Patient Finance. United Medical Credit is suitable for prime and subprime lenders and includes multiple plan options and flexible terms. These plans can cater to people with different budgeting needs. Other options for funding the treatment include:

• Cash
• Credit card
• In-house financing
• Cashier’s check
• Other types of loans

For a lot of women, the shape, size, and appearance of their labia can be unsettling. It can cause issues during sex and a decline in a woman’s self-esteem. But these issues aren’t permanent. There is a solution for them. A labiaplasty is a quick, easy, and effective way to create the look that you’re after and help to improve your sex life and well-being. At DFW Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery, we’re committed to finding a solution that works. Book your consultation today to discuss whether this cosmetic surgery is right for you!