Labiaplasty is a surgery done with the aim of reducing the size of the labia minora – the excess skin on each side of the vaginal opening. Some women consider labiaplasty because they do not like the appearance of their labia or because they cause them discomfort. This being an important decision should be weighed carefully. It is natural and normal for a woman to have skin folds visible around the vaginal opening, but in most cases, this should not cause problems.
Why choose the operation of shrinking the labia (labiaplasty)?
Labiaplasty, although it is very little discussed publicly, is one of the most searched procedures on Google.
This simple and easy operation very effectively solves the various problems that women have regarding the size and shape of the labia.
In general, patients choose this operation for the following reasons:
- aesthetic problems: size, distancing and length of the internal or external labia;
- problems during sexual intercourse: pain, swelling, discomfort and irritation;
- problems during physical exercise: pain, discomfort, irritation.
If you suffer from any of the problems described above, you can find out more details regarding the procedure of labiaplasty, during a prior consultation with Mr. Dr. Vishal.
Labiaplasty: why can the size of the labia be a problem?
Women who are concerned about the size of the labia is good to know that satisfied patients are those who have internal labia smaller than the external labia. This is considered the “normal” size.
The procedure of labiaplasty shrinks the excess of the labia, so that the internal labia no longer exceeds the external labia, resulting in a uniform, youthful appearance and that does not cause discomfort during physical activities or during intimate moments.
What are the results you can expect from labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty can have positive results for patients, most of them registering a noticeable increase in self-confidence, due to the youthful appearance of their labia, increased physical comfort due to the removal of an excessive part of the size of the labia, and an increase in sexual satisfaction resulting from a decrease in anxiety about the appearance of the labia.
What happens during labiaplasty surgery?
During the labiaplasty procedure
A labiaplasty can be performed using either a general anesthetic or a local anesthetic with sedation. The procedure involves shortening or reshaping the vaginal lips. Unwanted tissue is cut with the help of a scalpel or possibly a laser, and the unfixed edge can be sewn with fine, dissolvable stitches. The whole procedure takes about one to two hours. Some patients are able to go home on the same day.
After the labiaplasty procedure
You may have to take time off from work to recover. This recovery can take several months for the skin to heal completely.
During this time, you need to:
- Keep the area clean and free of infections;
- Wear loose underwear and clothes to prevent friction;
- Avoid having sex for several weeks;
- Use sanitary towels instead of tampons for a few weeks;
Your surgeon will give you more specific advice that you should also follow.
Risks that may occur after labiaplasty surgery
Surely after a labiaplasty you will feel pain, bruising and swelling felt up to two weeks. Urinating and sitting down during this time could probably be uncomfortable, although you take painkillers for this.
A labiaplasty can occasionally lead to:
- Bleeding;
- Infection;
- Scarring of tissue;
- Reduced sensitivity of the genitals.
Any type of operation also carries a small risk of:
- Development of a blood clot in a vein;
- Allergic reaction to anesthetic.
The surgeon should explain how perhaps these risks and complications of the labiaplasty procedure can occur and how they will be treated if they occurred. Occasionally, patients are not muttered by the result and want a second intervention. A labiaplasty should not be performed for girls younger than 18 years of age because their labia can continue to grow and develop beyond puberty, until early adulthood.
