Labiaplasty: How It Works, Types, Safety, Side Effects & More

Labiaplasty is a type of female genital cosmetic surgery. The goal of the surgery is to reduce the size of the inner labia or the labia minora. The labia minora may be of excessive size or length for a number of reasons. Some women are simply born with larger labia while others may have enlarged labia due to general aging, bearing children, or sexual activity.

Am I A Good Candidate For Labiaplasty?

Females with extra-large labia minora may be interested in labiaplasty for a number of reasons. Common candidates for this procedure are those whose larger-sized labia make them self-conscious whether in private or when wearing tight clothing such as swimsuits and yoga pants.

Of course, excessively large labia can also be uncomfortable and cause pain. It's not uncommon for women to complain that their labia routinely bug them throughout the day, especially when they wear certain types of clothing, like tight leggings, pantyhose, bathing suits, and jeans. The labia can twist and turn and even get caught in painful positions as the individual moves. This is common for some females during exercise, for example.

If you are struggling with one or several of these issues, labiaplasty is a procedure that might be able to help you. Of course, you must meet other requirements for cosmetic surgery as well. Notably, you must be at least 18 years of age and be in overall good physical health. You should also have realistic expectations concerning the outcome of your labiaplasty procedure and be a non-smoker. Your plastic surgeon will speak to you about other mandatory requirements for surgery at your consultation appointment.

How Is Labiaplasty Performed?

There are two main types of labiaplasty: wedge labiaplasty and trim labiaplasty.

Wedge labiaplasty involves removing a wedge shape from the labia minora (the inner labia). Only part of the labia can be removed, however, as the submucosa must remain. The result is a natural look that retains the wrinkled edges of natural labia, and the procedure can hardly be detected once healed.

In the trim procedure, the labia minora are simply trimmed back with the excess being removed. The labia minora are then sutured. Once healed, the result is labia minora that have an extension away from the body that is approximately equal to that of the labia majora (the outer labia).

What Is The Cost Of Labiaplasty?

Overall, you can expect to pay approximately $2500 for labiaplasty. However, the actual cost of labiaplasty surgery will depend on several factors. First, your geographic location will influence how expensive this procedure is as will the particular plastic surgeon you work with. The type of surgery you choose will also influence the overall cost — whether wedge procedure or trim procedure.

Furthermore, some patients choose to have several cosmetic procedures performed at the same time. For example, you might be interested in vaginal rejuvenation (labiaplasty) at the same time as having liposuction fat removal performed on your thighs and hips.

The addition of other cosmetic procedures will add to the overall bill you receive from your cosmetic surgeon; however, doing several procedures at once does have its advantages. Most notably, each individual procedure will likely end up being slightly less than it would normally be if performed alone. Additionally, you will generally have less overall recovery time if you choose to recover from two or more procedures at the same time.

Recovery And Downtime

After labiaplasty, be sure to follow the postoperative care instructions given to you by your surgeon. You should avoid strenuous physical activities until you are okayed to do them. Time off from work for initial recovery will be necessary. In general, you should avoid tight-fitting clothing and should also pat dry after washing the affected area. Avoid long showers, and wait to have sex until you speak with your surgeon about a safe time to do so.

It is essential to allow your body to rest after a major surgery like labiaplasty. Following the specific directions given to you by your plastic surgeon will also help the area heal properly, and this will reduce scarring and give you the wonderful results you were after in the first place.

Results

All women will heal differently from labiaplasty, so you shouldn't expect to see results at the exact same time as another patient. In general, you'll be able to notice the diminished size of your labia right away after surgery; although, you'll have dressings and bandages over the area that may make it difficult to examine closely. There will also be swelling and some discomfort and pain that will come with those initial days after surgery. As the weeks go on, however, you will start to see reduced swelling, and scars will start to heal as well.

For some women, it can be difficult to see the labia closely as you heal. However, you will meet several times with your plastic surgeon during your recovery, and they will be able to examine the area and let you know about the status of your healing process. Using a mirror to look at your labia and assess the healing is also a good option.

Limitations And Risks Of Labiaplasty

As with any type of cosmetic surgery, there are certain risks and potential complications associated with labiaplasty. These include:

• Anesthesia-related risks
• Excessive bleeding
• Excessive swelling
• Numbness
• Decreased sensitivity in the labia
• Persistent dryness
• Scarring
• Pain during intercourse

Book Your Labiaplasty Consultation Appointment Today

Labiaplasty can be a wonderful surgical option for many women. If you're interested in learning more about this surgery, take a look at the resources provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgery, and book a consultation appointment with a plastic surgeon near you.

References

• https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/what-is-a-labiaplasty-and-what-does-it-involve
• https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/female-genital-procedures/labiaplasty
• https://www.drsteinberg.com/procedures/body/labiaplasty/