Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces or enlarges the labia. Labiaplasty can be performed for medical, cosmetic, and psychological reasons. Sometimes labiaplasty is part of gender reassignment surgery. Most often, labiaplasty is performed to reduce the labia minora, as excess skin can cause discomfort during exercise, physical activity, and sexual intercourse.
What causes changes in the labia?
- During puberty, the labia can grow rapidly.
- Menopause or other hormonal changes can thin the tissue of the labia majora.
- Pregnancy and childbirth.
- Weight changes.
- Genetics.
Detailed information about labiaplasty
How should I prepare for the surgery?
Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to best prepare. It is recommended that you avoid taking aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, or anticoagulants for a week before the procedure, as these can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising. It is also necessary to inform your doctor before the planned surgery if you smoke, take medication, or suffer from arterial hypertension, blood clotting disorders, endocrine system diseases, or other chronic diseases.
What happens during the operation?
Labia reduction
The doctor will mark the planned incision sites with a special skin marker. Local anesthetics will be injected into the surgical site so that you do not feel any pain and the procedure is as gentle as possible. The doctor will then make the incision using a scalpel or electrode. Once the excess skin has been removed, the wound is sutured with special stitches and secured with a plaster. During the operation, you may feel slight discomfort and pressure in the incision areas.
Labia augmentation
To enlarge the labia majora, the doctor takes a small amount of fat from another part of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs, and injects it into the labia majora.
An alternative option is to inject hyaluronic acid into the labia majora.
How long does labiaplasty take?
Labiaplasty takes up to 60 minutes. Additional procedures usually extend the duration of this surgery.
What happens after the operation?
After the operation, the doctor may monitor you for 15-30 minutes to make sure you do not experience any side effects, including bleeding, dizziness, nausea, or an allergic reaction.
After the operation, the following is recommended:
- Rest;
- Local cold therapy;
- Medication for pain relief.
These recommendations must be discussed in detail with the doctor who performed the operation. The doctor will also schedule a follow-up consultation approximately one week after the operation to evaluate the results.
What are the side effects or complications of the surgery?
Like any intervention, labiaplasty may carry certain risks. Possible complications include:
- Redness, swelling, and pain;
- Bleeding;
- Bruising;
- Infection;
- Wound breakdown;
- Scarring;
- Pain during sexual intercourse or loss of sensitivity.
The risk of complications is increased by smoking, obesity, diabetes mellitus, endocrine disorders, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic diseases.
What is the healing period after surgery?
The healing period depends on your overall health and the healing process. Initial swelling, soreness, and temporary discoloration will subside within the first couple of weeks after surgery. The final results of labiaplasty will be visible after a few months. During this period, you will be able to engage in your daily activities, but you may experience slight discomfort. To promote faster healing and avoid complications, you should follow your doctor's instructions.
Is the effect of labiaplasty long-lasting?
Labiaplasty is usually a one-time, long-lasting procedure. If there are no complications, you may never need another operation.
Is labiaplasty painful?
Labiaplasty is one of the least painful cosmetic procedures. On the day of the surgery, you may feel slight discomfort, which should disappear after 12-24 hours.
At what age is it best to have labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is most commonly performed on patients over the age of 35, but in cases of significant changes, this surgery can be performed on patients as young as 18.
When will I be able to return to work, physical activity, and sexual activity?
After a few days, you should be able to return to work and go about your daily activities, but physical activity should be limited for about a few weeks after the surgery.
For up to 6 weeks, it is recommended to avoid:
- Active physical activities (cycling, running, and swimming);
- Sexual activity.
