Labiaplasty represents the intervention for the correction of the labia minora and it is recommended when, due to their size, you feel functional (walking, cycling, etc.) or sexual discomfort. The intervention consists in the excision of a portion of the labia minora using the surgical technique most suitable to your desires and constitution.

Labiaplasty can also address the correction of the labia majora, when they are poorly developed or too large. The interventions consist either in filling them with addipose tissue (fat) harvested from you, or in the excision of a portion of them.

The intervention is requested by women between 20-40 years old, but there are no age restrictions.

You are a candidate for this intervention if:

•     You feel discomfort during physical activities (embarrassment, pain) due to the size of the labia minora;
•     You have discomfort when wearing a swimsuit or molded clothing;
•     You have discomfort during intercourse (pain, irritation or swelling) given the size of the labia minora;
•    You wish to improve the appearance of the genital area, due to asymmetries or exaggerated dimensions of the labia minora

There is no ideal of beauty, every woman’s vulva is unique, and the constitutional differences vary from person to person, which is why it is very difficult to find two patients with the same aspect of the genital area.

Although there are classifications of hypertrophied labia minora, which can vary from their prominence of 2 cm to over 6 cm, the „normal” is given only by your comfort.

 

Preoperative training

•     The night before the intervention you will take a shower (body + hair) and you will rest!
•     You will arrive at the clinic one hour before the scheduled intervention;
•     If you are taking medication, please let me know, it may interfere with anesthesia or surgery;
•     You will shave your genital area;
•     You will have pajamas and slippers, which will be your outfit to enter the intervention room.

 

Complications

•     Bleeding,
•     Infection,
•     Hematoma,
•     Decreased labia sensitivity,
•     Suture dissolution (dehiscence),
•     Hypertrophic scars,
•     Pain during intercourse,
•     Overcorrection / undercorrection.

 

Carrying out the intervention

The intervention can be performed with local anesthesia, but also with sedation or general anesthesia.

In the case of local anesthesia, you will be given an anesthetic cream that reduces the discomfort felt when performing the local anesthesia.

There is no perfect surgical technique! Labioplasty can be performed through a variety of surgical techniques to achieve the desired aesthetic and functional results.

Among the surgical techniques I use are:

• excision of the mucosa protruding outside the labia majora. It is ideal for women with small elongated and thin labia minora, hyperpigmented at the extremity. (“Edge excision”)

• excision of the V-shaped mucosa, which includes the most prominent portion of the labia minora. This method maintains a more anatomical appearance of the labia („Wedge excision”).

• excision of a superficial portion (de-epidermization) of the labia minora, in order to reduce the dimensions, while keeping an anatomical appearance.
• excision of the mucosa protruding from the clitoris.

 

 Postoperative recommendations

•     The first 3-5 days are the most unpleasant, when a maximum of inflammation is reached, manifested by edema and pain; the area surrounding or above the clitoris can be swollen,  and          the aspect may alarm you – it’s normal! As the edema resolves, asymmetries will appear between the labia minora – this is normal!
•     Follow the drug treatment: antibiotic, NSAID, gastric protector, antihistamine;
•     You may find small drops of blood on the bandages in the first few days – it’s normal!
•     You may experience discomfort (stinging) when urinating. To reduce this discomfort, when urinating, you can apply thermal water (spray) on the incisions, to dilute and decrease the              discomfort.
•     You will sanitize the genital area after each urination / defecation: clean with wipes, dry the area and dab with a compress soaked in betadine.
•    Try to reduce the use of panties to leave the area exposed to air and apply Betadine cream
•     When walking, you will feel discomfort, so it is advisable to take a few days off (minimum 3).
•     Do not wear molded underwear or pants in the first week. This recommendation can be extended depending on how you feel (edema, embarrassment when walking).
•     Vaginal sexual activity can be resumed after 4 weeks postoperatively. Because the area is still sensitive, it is advisable to take things gradually. Friction and high blood supply during                sexual stimulation can cause bleeding and edema.
• Every woman’s body is unique and the stages of recovery can vary.