What is a labiaplasty and what does it involve?

What is a labiaplasty and what does it involve?

There are many women who suffer in silence due to their self-consciousness about the appearance and feel of the most intimate parts of their bodies. The truth is that a lot of women are not aware that large or unevenly shaped vaginal lips can cause a great deal of physical and emotional discomfort to them. Labiaplasty can also helped these women to feel better.

Besides childbirth, aging, sexual activity, and genetics, there are many other reasons why women may have enlarged labia, such as pregnancy, childbirth, aging, and genetics. It is common for females to choose to have surgery for a variety of reasons. First of all, it is important to point out that electing a labiaplasty carries several functional benefits. When a female suffers from enlarged labia, there is a high probability that she will have difficulty engaging in exercise, maintaining personal hygiene, preventing urinary tract infections, and participating in sexual activity.

Furthermore, with the increasing popularity of yoga pants, workout pants, and swimsuits in recent years, having an enlarged labium is frequently a problem when wearing these kinds of clothing. Luckily, most women describe themselves as being extremely self-conscious when it comes to becoming romantically involved with the person of their choice. For these reasons, as well as other factors, females consider when deciding to get a labiaplasty.

What is a labiaplasty?

It is possible to have changes in the inner and outer vaginal lips at any time due to childbirth, weight fluctuations, genetics, or aging. These changes can cause various problems, such as decreased sexual enjoyment and incontinence in women. An external labiaplasty is a surgical procedure designed to help restore aesthetic harmony and help improve the function of the external labia majora and minora.

During the operation, excess labial tissue can be removed from the labia minora, which is also known as the vaginal lips, as well as uneven labial tissue can be corrected.

It is possible to have changes in the inner and outer vaginal lips at any time due to childbirth, weight fluctuations, genetics, or aging.
It is possible to have changes in the inner and outer vaginal lips at any time due to childbirth, weight fluctuations, genetics, or aging.

Reasons for a labiaplasty

It’s important to remember that labia size and shape are as individual as eye color, and there is great variety in what is considered “normal” for the shape and appearance of labia. The problem occurs when the labia of a person are highly elongated, which can lead to discomfort or get in the way of the normal functioning of the labia.

If, for example, a woman has long labia, she may find that the tissue sticks to the leg during physical activity rather than being stretched out. There are also situations in which labial tissue protrudes, making it uncomfortable to sit on a bicycle seat while riding. When it comes to having abnormally long inner labia, there are many women who feel self-conscious about the outward appearance of their genitalia, which leads to them feeling discomfort and emotional distress, especially when they are wearing a thong or a swimsuit during sex.

In total, we can have two groups of reasons for doing labiaplasty:

Emotional and cosmetic motives

Having a more youthful appearance after childbirth or aging is one of the main goals of cosmetic surgery.

  • When one side of the labia minora or labia majora is longer or shaped differently from the other, the uneven shape is reduced.
  • Wearing body-conforming pants or leggings will increase self-confidence and eliminate visible lines, bulges, or “camel toe” appearances. As well as physical discomfort, tight-fitting clothing may cause discomfort if there is too much tissue in the labia.
  • This is to improve your comfort, confidence, and sense of well-being when it comes to the appearance of your genitalia when you have sexual contact.

Labiaplasty is classified as a form of plastic surgery. Still, there are a number of medical reasons why women choose to undergo this procedure in the first place. Due to their shape and size, women experience medical concerns beyond wanting to look a certain way to that special someone!

1. Trouble urinating due to enlarged labia minora

It may be difficult for some women to urinate when they have enlarged labia minora. It is because the hanging labia minora prevents the flow of urine when urinating normally, which is why hanging labia minora make it difficult to urinate. There is no need to worry if you are experiencing this phenomenon; you are not alone! Be open and honest with your doctor; your labiaplasty consultation at Dr. Abedini’s office will prepare the best treatment plan for you.

2. Infections of the urinary tract caused by enlarged labia

There is no doubt that urinary tract infections are painful and uncomfortable. However, they can also be asymptomatic, leading to a much more serious kidney infection if left untreated. There are some women who suffer from frequent or even chronic urinary tract infections as a result of their enlarged labia, which trap body secretions such as sweat, urine, and vaginal discharge inside their external genital organs. Having enlarged labia and experiencing this neverending problem? You might benefit from labiaplasty surgery.

3. Intense pain during physical activity, sports, or sexual relations 

Having enlarged labia may cause a woman to suffer undue discomfort or, in the worst-case scenario, pain, depending on the size of her external genitalia. During physical activities such as running, horseback riding, cycling, and sexual interaction, your labia can become stuck to your legs or rub up against each other. Vaginal rejuvenation surgery provides relief from discomfort and pain for many women.

4. Getting your labia messed up after childbirth

Giving birth vaginally puts women at risk of labia trauma. In many cases, patients have been born with labia they never complained about but have been traumatized or disfigured during childbirth and undergo vaginal rejuvenation to fix it.

5. The Labia Changes Due to Hormones

It’s no secret that women go through several hormonal cycles. Let’s start with puberty and menstruation’s monthly hormonal fluctuations. There’s also breastfeeding and childbirth for some. As for hormonal changes during menopause, some women take hormone therapy to get rid of unwanted side effects.

Labiaplasty procedures

Due to how little pain and discomfort are associated with lipoplasty, patients can choose between local anesthetics and general anesthetics. While the labia are known to be sensitive and delicate, most patients opt for a labiaplasty under local anesthesia. Still, if a significant correction is needed or if revision labiaplasty surgery is needed, some women may choose to have general anesthesia. You’ll get painkillers after the surgery to ensure you’re not in pain. Labiaplasty recoveries are generally quick, and pain settles down within two to three days of surgery.

Lipoplasties are well-tolerated and don't cause a lot of discomfort or pain.
Lipoplasties are well-tolerated and don’t cause a lot of discomfort or pain.

A speedy recovery!

Lipoplasties are well-tolerated and don’t cause a lot of discomfort or pain. As soon as the procedure is done, you’ll be able to move around without help. There’s a good chance you’ll have some bruising and swelling after the procedure. Any soreness will go away as soon as this settles down. The swelling from labiaplasty takes up to 1 week to go down. Apply cold packs to the labia to make it better. It’s possible to have persistent swelling for up to 3 months, it won’t bother you after the first four weeks.

At six weeks after labiaplasty, most patients can resume normal daily activities like exercise and sexual activity. Labiaplasty recovery can be sped up by wearing cotton-based loose clothing to prevent irritation. During the first six weeks after the surgery, you should avoid strenuous exercise. After a labiaplasty, you shouldn’t have sexual contact for six weeks. Tampons shouldn’t be used after surgery for a minimum of four weeks. During your first period after the surgery, your surgeon lets you use absorbent sanitary towels. By raising your buttocks, you can help minimize swelling. Only apply it for 20 minutes at a time, and only for a limited time.

How long does it take to heal?

The labiaplasty procedure for enlarged labia is very safe and effective when performed by an expert surgeon. Within six weeks, most people are back to normal activities after surgery.

It is recommended that you take 3 to 5 days off work after labia reduction surgery. It is ideal, however, to take a week off from work. By the end of the first week, most of the bruising and swelling should have settled down. Following one week of recovery, the majority of day-to-day activities can be resumed. If there is any swelling after surgery, it is usually most prominent after the first three days. Painkillers are usually prescribed to control pain during this period. The most important thing is not to overdo it too soon. However, being mobile will help the healing process by keeping the body active. It is recommended that patients sleep on their backs for the first two weeks after surgery. As this will prevent any friction from happening to the operated area during this period. Patients can resume driving a car after two weeks.

Feeling changer with labiaplasty

It’s time to stop suffering from your sex life thanks to a game-changing surgery called labiaplasty. The removal of excess skin of the labia Minora or Majora, as well as the reduction in the size of the labia, can help women to experience improved sexual function, as well as allow them to enjoy easier orgasms due to the greater visibility of the clitoris.

More of that, the wardrobe of your dreams can be expanded!

Are there certain clothes that you find difficult to wear because of your elongated labia? Easily put on your form-fitting exercise outfits, stunning swimsuits, and sexy lingerie with ease with labiaplasty, and you will feel more confident than ever before.

A little bit down the road…

It is important to understand that after a Labiaplasty surgery, the scars left behind and their visibility will vary depending on which technique choose. As part of her expertise, Dr. Abedini and her team have specialized in minimally invasive techniques in order to minimize as much as possible the appearance of the scar. It can expect that, the scar will place in natural body folds so that the result looks as natural as possible.

Anesthesia for a labiaplasty

The question ask by patients as to whether or not local anesthetic can use during labiaplasty. If you would like to have your labiaplasty performed under a local anesthetic, it is undoubtedly an option. Among all the kinds of anesthetics that use during labiaplasty, this is by far the most common type.

In order to prepare for labiaplasty under local anesthesia, the patient should apply a topical anesthetic to the region approximately one hour before the procedure. As the local anesthetic is injected, this partially numbs the sensation of the injection. It takes approximately 10-20 seconds for series of small needles to inject into the skin at the beginning of procedure. When the freezing process complete, you will left to relax for approximately ten minutes while the process is taking place. In the course of the actual procedure, you will not feel any discomfort at all.

In other practices, labiaplasty may routinely perform under conscious sedation or general anesthetic. During conscious sedation, medications administer systemically to alter your level of consciousness during the minor procedure.

Labiaplasty under local anesthetic may provide several advantages over these other types of anesthetic:

Less postoperative nausea

Labiaplasty under local anesthetic reduces the risk of postoperative nausea, which is a fairly common side effect following conscious sedation and general anesthetic. If nausea experience following labiaplasty under local anesthetic, it is most commonly related to the prescription pain medication. Weaning from prescription pain medication as soon as following possible labiaplasty also encourage. Most patients no longer require any prescription pain medication after 1-2 days postoperatively.

No need for a companion on the day of labiaplasty surgery

Although you still prefer to have a relative or close friend accompany you on the day of your minor procedure, it is not require for patients undergoing labiaplasty under local anesthetic. Going directly home after surgery is recommending to begin applying cold compresses.

During the labiaplasty procedure, the patient stays awake and alert

It may be less stressful for many patients to have labiaplasty performed under local anesthetic. You remain awake and alert during the procedure, which also provides additional time to review the postoperative wound care instructions and activity modifications in great detail.

Lower risk of airway complications for labiaplasty under local anesthetic

When labiaplasty perform under conscious sedation, there is a risk of airway compromise.

What if not?

Whether your procedure is quick and painless or not, you may feel nervous about it. The sedation may help you relax and reduce your nervousness. An IV or oral medication will administere before your labiaplasty if you elect to have sedation. Relaxation, pain relief, and reduced overall tension are all benefits of this. It won’t put you to sleep and doesn’t have same side effects, recovery time, risk of complications as general anesthesia. If you are looking to avoid the side effects and recovery time associated with general anesthesia, this is a great option.

It is not always possible to perform labiaplasty revision surgeries while sedated, as all of them involve extensive anesthesia. Generally, the most effective and safest method in these cases is administering general anesthesia. There will be no tube down your throat, and light general anesthesia will be used.

You can rest assured that Dr. Abedini will choose the form of anesthesia that is most appropriate for your treatment based on your health and safety.