What does a labiaplasty do?

The goal of the procedure is to reduce the labia minora so that they don’t hang below the hair-bearing labia majora. A labiaplasty may be performed to reduce asymmetry when one is longer than the other, or, more commonly, to reduce the length of both sides so that the labia no longer twist, tug, rub together uncomfortably, show or fall out of a bathing suit.

Labiaplasty procedure

The most common type of labiaplasty is the trim procedure, in which the extra tissue is removed and sewn up directly. Extra folds of the clitoral hood can also be reduced at the same time. Closure is usually done with either dissolvable or soft silk sutures, which will be removed 1-2 weeks post surgery.

What are the risks of a labiaplasty?

The risks associated with labiaplasty include those of most surgical procedures, including bleeding, hematoma, and infection. While some women desire an aggressive reduction, this can result in chronic dryness, scarring at or near the vaginal opening, and pain with intercourse.

Recovering from a labiaplasty

Most patients take a week off from work, during which they can reduce swelling and pain by icing with a cold pack sandwiched between the patient’s underpants and an elastic garment, like Spanx. This can be done “twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off.” The patient can also lie with her bottom elevated to reduce swelling.

Patients can usually resume wearing tampons or having intercourse after six weeks.
While the most distorting swelling is gone by 6 weeks, residual swelling may take six months to resolve.

What are the results of a labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty typically results in shorter labia that no longer hang down below the level of the hair-bearing labia majora. Most patients who experienced symptoms from twisting and tugging of their labia generally find relief after surgery.

What is a vaginoplasty?

Vaginoplasty (also known as posterior colporrhaphy) is a procedure designed to tighten the vagina.

Reasons patients want a vaginoplasty

After childbirth, women may complain of vaginal laxity, resulting from stretching of tissues and separating of muscles, sometimes to the point that a tampon falls out, and this lack of tone can contribute to sexual dysfunction.

What does a vaginoplasty do?

A vaginoplasty tightens the laxed tissue by bringing in the extra mucosa from the back side of the vagina. The external skin can also be removed for a more aesthetic appearance via a labiaplasty procedure.

Vaginoplasty procedure

Once the amount of tightening to be done is determined, a pie-shaped wedge is marked to delineate the redundant mucosa to be removed from inside the vagina. The extra mucosa is then cauterized or removed and the defects closed together with strong suture to decrease the overall circumference of the vaginal canal. If there is external skin that protrudes, this can be reduced as well for a more aesthetic result.

What are the risks of a vaginoplasty?

Risks from vaginoplasty include infection, bleeding, pain, along with rare complications.

Recovering from a vaginoplasty

Patients may have one to two weeks of down time. They may feel a deep ache for the first few days, and there is no tampon use or intercourse for eight weeks.

What are the results of a vaginoplasty?

This procedure typically results in a tighter vaginal canal, which can help enhance sexual satisfaction.