What is a labiaplasty?
A labiaplasty (labioplasty) is surgery to reshape labia. It is more commonly done for labia minora (inner labia) but can be done for labia majora (outer labia) or both. Usually, a labial reduction is performed. Sometimes the labia majora is augmented.
Who is suitable for a labiaplasty?
If you are concerned by discomfort of your labia during exercise, tighter clothing, sexual intercourse and/or by the appearance of your labia, you may be suitable for a labiaplasty.
Caution!
Labiaplasty can reduce the size and reshape labia but a certain amount of tissue should remain so they cannot be made too small. If you smoke or have significant health problems, this will need to be assessed and you may be advised to wait or not to have a labiaplasty.
The procedure
There are variations depending on your individual anatomy and goals. The two most common ways are a trim technique reducing labia minora from the edge and wedge techniques reducing the labia in a v- shaped way. The surgery is done under local or general anaesthesia. The labia are reduced and reshaped to achieve a balanced and natural appearance. Stitches are absorbable.
Combination surgery
Labiaplasty can be done on its own or in combination with other procedures. Common combinations include labiaplasty with abdominoplasty, breast surgery and other body contouring procedures.
Duration of surgery
1 to 2 hours depending on the extent of surgery. If other procedures are planned at the same time, the overall surgery time is longer.
After surgery
You will have a pad in your underwear. Labiaplasty is usually an outpatient or day case surgery. You can shower with care after 24 hours.
Recovery
You should be gently mobile only ‘pottering around’ over the first week. On average 1 to 2 weeks off work are needed. No heavy lifting or strenuous activity is allowed for 6 weeks. Some forms of exercise can be restarted at 4 weeks. but exercise such as cycling or horse-riding is restarted at 6 weeks. You are advised to allow 6 weeks before sexual intercourse. Driving is not allowed until you are safe to perform an emergency stop.
Complications
Unfortunately, complications can occur after all surgery and you need to be aware of this. Ms Nugent will do her utmost to reduce your risk as much as she can. This includes the health and procedure advice she gives you before surgery, the care and precautions she takes during surgery and the advice she gives you after surgery. Some of the complications that can happen include slow healing, infection, bleeding, poor scarring, more visible scarring than expected, asymmetry, pain, numbness or loss of sensitivity or oversensitivity in the labia or clitoris (rare), contour irregularities, clots in the legs and lungs, over-reduction, under-reduction.
Successful surgery
Labiaplasty surgery has a high success rate and most women are very pleased with the surgery. Success depends on being prepared for your surgery, choosing the right procedure, the surgery itself and recovering well. All steps in the journey are crucial!
More detail
Download the detailed information booklet on this page to read more and book a consultation to discuss your individual circumstances with Ms Nugent!
