Female Genital Labia reduction cosmetic surgery

Procedure Summary

Is a labiaplasty right for you?

Every woman’s body is different, and every woman’s body changes as they grow older. Especially after childbirth, many women are not happy with the appearance of their genitalia. There have always been women whose extended labia has caused them persistent discomfort. More recently, however, female genital reshaping has becoming increasingly popular as an aesthetic measure. Cosmetic labiaplasty has been around for a while, but it used to be something only sex industry workers, nude models or swimsuit models would consider. Things have changed, and labia reduction surgery is increasingly popular with women from all walks of life. In part, this is due to the fashion for trimmed pubic hair which makes the labia much more visible. Labia reduction surgery will give a more normal appearance to an extended labia. The surgery is typically almost undetectable and the results are permanent.

“I was happy with my body before I had my children,” commented one woman in her mid-thirties. “And, after a while, I managed to get back my pre-pregnancy figure. But my vagina appeared slack, with drooping labial folds, and it was sapping my self-confidence and making me anxious about sex. A labiaplasty restored my labia to its previous state. Which made me feel much more self-assured and at ease with my self.”

Your individual suitability for labiaplasty cosmetic surgery will be discussed during your initial consultation with the plastic surgeon.

Undergoing labia reduction surgery

The ideal time for performing a labiaplasty is immediately after menstruation. This is so that the tissues will be completely healed in time for the next menstruation. You do not need to take any special precautions before the surgery and you may have sexual intercourse until the day before the procedure takes place. The labiaplasty usually takes up to 2 hours to complete, and is normally treated as a day case, although there may be occasions where an overnight stay is necessary.

The surgeon will trim the labial folds so that they no longer protrude in one of two ways: either by cutting away the edges of the labia, or by snipping out a 'V' shape wedge of tissue. Your surgeon may choose to use a laser or scalpel for the incision, which is generally quicker to administer. But you might want to suggest that the surgeon use Cosmetic Iris scissors instead. These are more widely used in most cosmetic procedures and are able to create a natural looking edge, giving your labiaplasty a more natural finish. After the incision, the remaining edges will be carefully sewn back together to achieve as natural an appearance as possible. Dissolvable stitches are commonly used to aid healing and reduce pain and discomfort.

After the procedure you will have to wear a dressing similar to a sanitary pad worn during menstruation. You should expect some slight bleeding for the initial 24 hours and, as with all surgery, there will be some discomfort and swelling over the 3 days or so following the operation, after which you should be able to resume normal activities. The incisions should heal without any visible scars, and full healing will take approximately 6 weeks.

“I felt very sensitive after the operation,” said one labiaplasty patient. “I was advised to treat my vagina gently, including no Tampons during the recovery period, and it took me a while to be able to relax and enjoy sexual intercourse again. Visually, I was delighted with my ‘tidy’ looking vagina.”

Using the toilet will be painful initially, and you should avoid sexual intercourse for 2-3 weeks after surgery. And, like all surgical procedures, there is always the risk of complications or side effects and, although rare, these can include infection, blood or fluid collection underneath the skin (haematoma), prolonged bleeding, nerve damage and an asymmetric appearance to the labia after the operation.

As with all cosmetic surgery, it is essential to follow the advice of your practitioner after the procedure. This will make the outcome as successful as possible and reduce the risk of complications

Choosing a surgeon to perform you labiaplasty

Only surgeons that are  fully trained and qualified in the fields of plastic surgery and gynaecology should perform this kind of vaginal surgery. The surgeon should possess the relevant expertise after experience operating in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission (in the UK).

The cost of a labiaplasty will be in the region of £1,000 to £3,000. If this procedure is something that you are considering, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.

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