Is the appearance of your vulva stopping you from owning your sexuality?
Does the size and shape of your labia cause you discomfort or pain during exercise?
Have you lost your self-confidence due to the after-effects of childbirth or surgery?
If any of the above issues apply to you, then labiaplasty might just be the answer you’re looking for: a surgery designed to restore and rejuvenate the appearance of your vaginal area.
What Is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery designed to enhance the look and functionality of the labia, the folds of skin (or ‘lips’) on the outside of the vaginal opening.
The procedure is performed to increase or reduce the size of the labia. It most commonly involves reshaping and decreasing the labia minora, the smaller inner lips, so that they are made flush with the labia majora, the larger outer lips.
The procedure addresses labial asymmetry and over-sized or under-sized labia that can cause both physical pain and mental anguish.
It’s a perfect solution for women who experience discomfort in exercise, physical activity and sexual intercourse, or who have a history of urinary tract infections. It also works as a corrective to areas of the vulva that have been previously traumatised by childbirth or surgery.
Reasons To Consider Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty corrects a number of problems, and any women who experience any of the following issues are suitable candidates for surgery.
- Excess Labial Tissue – The size and shape of your labial folds not only threaten your psychological well-being but are often also responsible for physical pain and limitations. This issue can be caused by various factors, such as genetics, hormonal changes, weight gain or loss, and childbearing. When carried out, the procedure has been shown to boost confidence levels for those struggling with feelings of insecurity related to their genital area.
- Sexual Activity is Difficult or Painful – Enlarged or elongated labia minora mean many women experience discomfort or even severe pain during intercourse and other sexual activity. When romantically involved with a partner, the excess tissue can cause friction and irritation and even labial entrapment in some cases. Even where pain is not a factor, many women with enlarged labia report feeling extremely self-conscious in their romantic relationships as a result. Labiaplasty reduces these feelings of self-consciousness by restoring a sense of symmetry and balance to the vulva. Many patients even find that after having a labiaplasty surgery they experience improved sexual pleasure.
- Physical Activity or Tight Clothing causes Pain – Another source of pain for women with larger or asymmetric labia are tight clothes and exercise. The extra skin tissue rubs against clothing, leading to irritation or chafing. Engaging in physical activities such as running, cycling, or even dancing can exacerbate these difficulties, making it incredibly hard for women to enjoy their favourite activities or even feel at home inside their own skin. By reducing the labial tissue, the surgery allows patients to feel comfortable at home in their bodies once more, and able to resume the activities they most love and enjoy.
- Reconstructive Surgery Following Trauma or Aging – Traumatic events, such as childbirth injuries or accidents, can result in changes to the labia that cause physical discomfort or pain. Labiaplasty can help correct these issues, restoring functionality, comfort, a sense of ease, and even a younger, more tucked-in appearance.
- To Improve Hygiene – Health issues can arise where oversized lips can make cleaning more difficult, leading to a higher proclivity of bacteria which can cause complications such as a urinary tract infections to increase. In trimming these lips, patients are able to maintain a higher level of vaginal hygiene as consequence.
How Is Labiaplasty Performed?
Labiaplasty is typically performed on an outpatient basis, with each procedure lasting no more than two hours, meaning that patients can return home on the same day. The procedure itself depends upon and is individually tailored towards your desired outcome, which will have been discussed extensively beforehand with your surgeon.
Before the surgery begins, your vitals will be taken; your temperature, blood pressure, oxygen levels and so on. You will then be a given either local anesthesia with an IV sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your chosen procedure.
Once the anesthesia has been administered, your surgeon will then begin to remove the excess tissue from your labia. This may involve a trim procedure, where the excess edges of the labia are removed, or a wedge procedure, where a pie-shaped section of tissue is excised from the middle portion of the labia.
In some cases, labiaplasty may be combined with other procedures such as clitoral hood reduction or vaginal rejuvenation treatments to achieve more comprehensive results. All of the above surgeries are usually performed with the use of sutures and a scalpel, scissors or laser.
Types of Labiaplasty Procedures
There are a number of different types of techniques.
The Trim
The trim procedure, your surgeon gently removes the extra tissue of one of both sides of your labia minora so that they’re even with your labia majora. The surgeon then carefully sutures the remaining skin along the new labia edge, ensuring optimal healing and minimal scarring.
The Wedge
This wedge technique involves the removal of a triangle-shaped wedge of tissue from the inner area of the labia minora. This procedure leaves the wrinkled edges of your lips intact, preserving the natural look of your vulva.
Clitoral Hood Reduction
A clitoral hood reduction (CHR) removes redundant tissue from the hood that covers and protects your clitoris. Doing so can improve the look of your genitalia, reduce the risk of bacterial infection, while also enhancing sexual pleasure.
Labia Majora Augmentation
In some cases, women will wish to restore a fuller or younger look to their vagina. To do so, a surgeon will enlarge their labia majora by taking a small amount of body fat from another area (the thigh or abdomen) and inject it into the outer lips.
Alternatively, hyaluronic acid is used to puff out the lips, enhancing the volume and fullness of the region.
Preparing for Surgery
Before undergoing any surgery you should spend time consulting with your surgeon and raising any questions or concerns you might have. It’s important to understand the medical, mental and emotional factors involved in any procedure. Patients should always:
- Disclose their Medical Histories with their surgeon before any procedure. This includes any past surgeries, medical conditions, allergies, or medications they are currently taking. This information is crucial in assessing the patient’s suitability for the procedure and minimizing any potential risks.
- Have Realistic Expectations about the outcome of the surgery and its actual purpose. It’s important that patients understand that labia come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no such thing as normal. The corrected look as it were is purely based on a patient’s own aesthetic preference. It’s also essential for patients to have a clear understanding of what to expect following surgery and to understand all the potential results, risks and complications associated with labiaplasty.
Plan for a period of recovery following their surgery, and understand how their lifestyle and commitments will be effected post-op.
Labiaplasty requires a recovery period, during which patients are advised to avoid strenuous physical activities, sexual activity, and wearing tight clothes, in order to ensure optimal healing and minimize complications.
Post Surgery & Recovery Time
The recovery time for this type of surgery can vary depending on individual factors, but it generally takes about four to six weeks before patients can return to their normal activities. During this period, some special care should be taken in order to ensure proper healing and minimize any potential complications.
Patients who have undergone plastic surgery should follow their doctor’s instructions closely when it comes to post-operative care and activity restrictions. Strenuous physical activities such as jogging or lifting heavy objects should be avoided for at least one month after the operation.
Sexual intercourse may need to be postponed until full healing has occurred; usually four weeks or more from the date of surgery. It is also important to keep the area clean and dry to reduce risk of infection or other complications associated with poor hygiene practices during recovery time.
Applying antibiotic ointment several times per day will help prevent infections while gently cleaning with mild soap and warm water will help keep bacteria away from incisions sites so they heal properly without any issues down the line.
How Much Does a Labiaplasty Cost in Miami?
The average cost for a labiaplasty in Miami is around $1,000 – $5,000, though the price varies according accordingly. The good news is that there are many financing options available to make this treatment more accessible to those who cannot afford payment in full at once.
What Are the Risks and Complications?
Complications are rare in labiaplasty but can include:
- Infection and scarring.
- Bleeding and bruising.
- Ongoing pain.
- Loss of sensitivity.
It’s important to bear in mind there will always be some tenderness and mild pain during the recovery period after surgery. We each have different bodies and physiologies from each other, and our windows of recovery accordingly vary in length.
Some swelling and discomfort is to be expected while you heal, the symptoms of which can be alleviated with ice-packs and various over-the-counter medications. Of course, if you have any concerns about any side-effects or complications, you should get in contact with your surgeon and raise the issue at once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Insurance Cover the Cost?
Labiaplasty usually falls into the category of elective or cosmetic surgeries. The only usual exception is correcting abnormal lips or in removing cancerous tissue if a patient has vulval cancer. This means that for most patients, health insurance companies will not cover your expenses.
How Old Do I Have To Be?
Generally speaking, eighteen years and over. Parental consent is required for anyone underage to undergo this procedure.
While labiaplasty can be performed at any age under some circumstances with consent provided, it’s important to note that the decision to proceed with surgery should always take physical maturity and emotional readiness into consideration.
How Long Do the Results Last?
Labiaplasty is meant to be performed as a one-time, lasting treatment. While the aging process may impact the appearance of the labia over time, with proper aftercare and a healthy lifestyle, the results of labiaplasty can endure for many years.
Can I Get a Labiaplasty After Pregnancy or Weight Loss?
After pregnancy or weight loss, many women experience changes in the appearance and functionality of their labia. These changes can include enlarged or stretched labia, unnecessary skin and asymmetry.
A labiaplasty procedure can help improve the aesthetic appearance, functionality and overall comfort of the labia – even restoring the labium to its pre-pregnancy state.
Bear in mind that for those women who are still thinking of having more children, it is advised to wait for surgery until after they have completed their families.
References
[1] Kalampalikis A, Michala L. Cosmetic labiaplasty on minors: a review of current trends and evidence. Int J Impot Res. 2023;35(3):192-195. doi:10.1038/s41443-021-00480-1
[2] Furnas HJ, Canales FL, Pedreira RA, Comer C, Lin SJ, Banwell PE. The Safe Practice of Female Genital Plastic Surgery. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2021;9(7):e3660. Published 2021 Jul 6. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000003660