Labiaplasty is the most commonly performed genital esthetic operation. It is the term used to describe the procedure of reducing the size or length of labia minora (inner lips),to prevent hanging and protrusion through labia majora (outer lips).
The main function of the inner lips is to protect the openings of urethra and vagina. They also form a hood at their junction to cover the clitoris which is a very sensitive tissue.
Women may need such surgery for cosmetic and/or functional reasons. The most common reasons for a labiaplasty can be summarized as:
Every year around 10.000 women undergo labiaplasty in US. These numbers are increasing and it is becoming more and more popular, as women read more about genital esthetic surgery and patient reviews.
Most women applying for surgery are not looking for a perfect vagina, but rather seek comfort during sports, sex and other daily activities. Thanks to social media and internet, more and more women learn each day that elongated, loose or asymmetrical labia can be fixed.
Labia minora (inner lips) can be reduced in size through a simple surgical outpatient procedure called a labiaplasty.
Elongated labia can be fixed through a labiaplasty procedure. It is the surgical procedure in which one or both inner lips are reduced in size and length.
Asymmetrical inner lips can be congenital (from birth) or develop later in life. Their asymmetry can be corrected by a straightforward surgical procedure called a labiaplasty.
It can be done by using different surgical techniques. The most common techniques are trimming and wedge resection.
Several types of incisions can be used to decrease the size of labia minora. Mostly absorbable sutures are used so that they do not have to be removed.
It is usually performed in private clinics or hospitals as an outpatient procedure.
Genital esthetic surgery can be performed by a gynecologist or a plastic surgeon who had training in cosmetic genital surgery.
Gynecologists who are trained in cosmetic genital surgery can do labiaplasty, actually more patients in Turkey apply to gynecologists than plastic surgeons for cosmetic genital procedures.
It is possible to perform labiaplasty procedures in the office setting under local anesthesia. However sedation or general anesthesia is offered to most patients to increase patient comfort and better surgical outcomes.
You can shave or wax 4 days prior to a labiaplasty surgical procedure to allow your skin to heal.
You can put sterile gauze under your pad for the first few days after surgery. You will be also adviced to put ice bags intermittantly over the gauze. (on a 20 minutes on 20 minutes off schedule)
It is recommended to wear loose clothing like sweatpants, pyjamas, nightdresses for the first week after labiaplasty. Later after your first control, you can gradually start wearing tight clothes like jeans.
You should wait around 6 weeks to wear tight clothes like thongs or jeans, or tampons after labiaplasty.
After labiaplasty, sleeping on your back is the most comfortable postion. You can spread your legs comfortably or place a pillow between your legs if this feels better.
It is better to lie on your back (with 20 minutes on and off ice packs) rather than sitting or standing for the first few days after surgery. Having some rest will decrease swelling, hematoma risk and other possible surgical complications.
You should avoid swimming, sex, exercise, strenous activity and heavy lifting 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
Do not use anything other than what is recommended by your doctor to clean the surgical area.
Peeing will not be affected by a labiaplasty procedure and will not be painful either. Do not forget to clean the area by spraying water from the front to the back after visiting the bathroom and drying afterwards.
Usually defecation will not be affected by labiaplasty and it will not be painful.You should spray water from the front to the back after each bathroom visit and keep the wound dry and clean.
Usually there is only slight spotting type of bleeding a few days after a labiaplasty.
You can wash the vagina by spraying water from front to the back after using bathroom and keep the area dry and clean at all times after surgery. Do not rub the area in an effort to remove blood or other elements.
You should wait at least 48 hours for your first shower after surgery. But you can clean the area by spraying water and later drying. Do not try to rub or excessively clean the genital area.
Although patients who had surgery under local anesthesia are able to drive ufter surgery, it is recommended that patients who had either general anesthesia or local anesthesia have someone to accompany and drive them home after surgery.
Labiaplasty is mostly performed as an outpatient procedure, which means most patients can go home after having some rest in the clinic on the same day of surgery.
Labiaplasty can be performed with other cosmetic genital procedures such as:
Labiaplasty is the surgery performed to correct either labial asymmetry or labial hypertrophy and there is no alternative to surgery if these problems cause concern to a woman.
Labiaplasty does not cause infertility and has nothing to do with internal genital organs such as the tubes, ovaries and the uterus.
Yes, you can have a baby after a labiaplasty, once the wound is healed and you can also deliver your baby vaginally. Actually the labia are located outside the vagina and the effect of surgery is permanent and will not be reversed by pregnancy or delivery.
A labiaplasty doaes not cause nerve damage or loss of sense according to a study published in 2016 in Aesthetic Surgery Journal ‘Most labiaplasty techniques can be performed safely and are unlikely to cause loss of sensation as the nerve density distribution in labia minora is heterogeneous.’
Recurrent urinary tract infections may have many underlying causes. Disturbance in the balance of vaginal flora may be one of the underlying causes. Although a labioplasty can not directly heal vaginal or urinary infections, it may help to keep better hygiene in the genital area.
Labiaplasty removes excess subcutaneous fat and saggy, dark coloured, loose tissue from the labia so that tha labia become tighter and smoother. The vulva gets a more youthful appearance after a labiaplasty.
It depends on your insurance policy whether a cosmetic genital procedure is covered or not; but most private insurance companies do not cover cosmetic procedures.
As all other surgical procedures, labiaplasty has its own risks which can be summarised as:
After a labiaplasty procedure it is normal to have pain, burning, swelling or bruising which can be relieved by oral painkiller medications prescribed by your doctor. Pain is very relative after labiaplasty ,some patients say they have very little pain after surgery, but other patients may need to take painkillers for a longer period of time.
Labiaplasty is a straightforward surgery, mostly performed under local aneshesia and the patient can go home on the same day after surgery.
According to a study published in 2016 in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Most labiaplasty techniques can be performed safely. It is quite a straightforward procedure performed as an outpatient procedure.
According to a review study published in 2021, labiaplasty complications are seen in less than 2 percent of the cases. The most common complication is a slight seperation of the labial edge closure and can be repaired under local anesthesia in 4-6 months after surgery.
As with every other surgery it is normal to have swelling and pain after a labiaplasty which can be reduced by having rest,taking pain-killers and using ice-packs.
Very rarely there may be infection or seperation of the sutured tissues.You need to see your doctor if you suspect youwr wound is infected.
It takes around 4-6 weeks for labiaplasty to heal, but wound healing process may continue even afterwards. Some swelling and bruising is normal even beyond that period.
Apart from slight swelling and brusing, the vulva will look normal after surgery. The healing is very fast if you can have enough rest and use ice packs in an on and off manner.The stitches will fall in about 4-6 weeks.
It is recommended to wait 4-6 weeks after a labiaplasty procedure to shave, wax or have epilation.
You should wait around 6 weeks after surgery and have your doctor’s permission at a control visit before starting to exercise.
Most stitches (suture material ) will be absorbed around 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Labiaplasty usually takes 4-6 weeks to heal completely.
You should wait around 6 weeks after surgery and have your doctor’s permission at a control visit before starting to have sex.
Most women return to their daily routines 2-4 weeks after surgery if there are no complications.
For most women the procedure does not need to be revised after child birth or aging.
Most patients will be satisfied with the result of their first surgery and will not need to be reoperated. But revisions may be necessary for patients with certain complications.
Yes, labiaplasty is a permanent surgical procedure and does not need to be repeated after child birth or aging.
Any patient over 18 years of age can get a labioplasty, there is no upper age limit. Patients younger than 18 years can have surgery, only if medically indicated.
Unfortunately there is no effective alternative to a surgical labiaplasty procedure when a patients seeks help for labial reduction.
Labiaplasty cost Turkey depends on the city, clinic or hospital and may vary. You can get in touch with our clinic for detailed information.
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