Plastic surgery procedures have continuously evolved over the years to include multiple areas of the body. Among the many procedures specialized for women is the labiaplasty, which involves surgery in the vulval region. The region is made up of the labia majora and the labia minora which fold along the lips on both sides of the opening of the vagina.
Women generally get labiaplasty in order to alter the shape of the region. This may either be due to the fact that they do not like how their labia looks or because the shape or size of the labia may be causing excessive discomfort.
It is necessary to consult a doctor and think it through before getting involved in any surgical procedure, especially when it comes to the genital region.
The labiaplasty procedure can be expensive, involve risks and has no guarantee that the results would be satisfactory. If you are planning to get a labiaplasty done, there are certain things you should know before following through with the procedure.
What Does Labiaplasty Involve?
The first thing that women must understand is that the labia comes in all shapes and sizes and there is no right or wrong when it comes to the matter. Skin folds are natural around the vaginal opening and generally should not cause problems.
If there is an issue other than a general discomfort, then there might be some other cause for the problem. In all cases, it is best to consult a medical practitioner with experience on the matter to find out what’s wrong. If your labia seems perfectly normal, you may be advised to get psychological counseling before committing to a surgery.
The process of labiaplasty will first involve the injection of a general or local anesthetic to numb the region from experiencing pain during the surgery. After this, the vaginal lips are shortened and reshaped, cutting away unwanted tissue using scalpels or lasers and stitching up the loose ends using dissolvable sutures.
The process takes about one to two hours and many patients are even allowed to go back home on the same day.
Recovery And Risks
The recovery process after the patient gets a labiaplasty does take some time. After the surgery is completed, the skin in the treatment area may take a few months to heal and patients are required to keep up general hygiene.
This includes them keeping the area clean, wearing loose underwear, avoiding sex, and using sanitary napkins instead of tampons. In all cases, it is best to consult your doctor for detailed instructions.
The side effects of the procedure can include soreness, bruising, and swelling in the region for up to two weeks. The process of sitting and urinating can also be uncomfortable for a while after the surgery and painkillers may be prescribed to help with this.
Labiaplasty involves the risk of bleeding, infection, scarring of the tissue, and reduction of sensitivity in the region. It should be noted that labiaplasty must not be performed on girls below the age of 18 as their labia would be still in its developmental stages and would grow through puberty into adulthood.
Contact Our Office
If you’re interested in learning more about the procedure, contact Main Line Institute of Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ryan Hoffman, a highly skilled plastic surgeon.