Some women are not happy with the look and appearance of the labia. It can have excess skin on one side of the labia minora—the inner skin folds around labia—that looks longer than the other. In other cases, the skin can be hanging and look enlarged around the labia majora, the outer sink folds around the labia.
Having either type of excess skin and uneven skin folds can also cause discomfort and pain during intercourse, exercise, riding a bike, and other such activities. Some women will also not wear bathing suits or tight-fitting pants because they are uncomfortable and worried about their problem being visible through their clothing to others.
A simple outpatient surgical procedure called a labiaplasty can be performed to correct the problem. Some cosmetic surgeons also refer to this procedure as vagina rejuvenation surgery. Labiaplasty surgery is sometimes listed as a nonsurgical procedure because it does not require anesthesia.
Rather, a local numbing agent and local anesthesia are applied to the skin folds around the labia. Once the area is numb, the procedure is performed.
How Is Labiaplasty Surgery Performed?
The procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure by a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. It can be performed in-office or at an outpatient surgical center. The surgeon will first apply a numbing agent to the labia and skin folds. Once the area is numb, several local numbing anesthesia injections are made to make the area fully numb, so no pain is felt during the procedure.
Next, the cosmetic surgeon makes the necessary incisions to reshape and/or remove excess skin from the labia minora and labia majora. Once the labia minora and labia majora have been reshaped, sutures are used to hold the skin folds in the new, desired shape. Most sutures used will dissolve on their own over the next several weeks as the labia heals.
How Long Is the Recovery Time After a Labiaplasty?
Most women are surprised to learn that the recovery time is between one to two weeks. Initially, some swelling and mild soreness is common. Mild soreness tends to subside over the next few days.
Your cosmetic surgeon can prescribe a mild pain medication. However, most women find they do not need it or only need to take it for a few days.
Swelling can take a little longer to subside but normally goes away within two weeks. You will want to take extra care to avoid normal activities and intercourse for at least two weeks. You can resume light duties typically within a few days following the procedure.
Can a Labiaplasty Be Combined with Other Cosmetic Procedures?
Yes, some women have their labiaplasty performed at the same time as other cosmetic procedures like a breast lift, breast enlargement, tummy tuck, and so on. When labiaplasty surgery is combined with other procedures, you will typically have the procedures performed under anesthesia at a surgical center or hospital.
To learn more about labiaplasty surgery and other cosmetic procedures that can enhance your appearance, please feel free to contact Grossman Plastic Surgery at (818) 981-2050 to schedule an initial consultation today!