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Labiaplasty

What is labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to modify the size of the tissues visible on both sides of the vaginal opening [labia minora] to improve the overall appearance of the vulva. It is a cosmetic surgery that primarily aims at enhancing the overall appearance of the vulva by reducing the size of the labia minora, which are the inner lips of the vulva.

Labiaplasty Formation

How does the labia get enlarged?

Due to numerous reasons the labia can get enlarged, causing discomfort, interfering with a woman’s daily activities such as walking, running or cycling. There can be several reasons for the labia getting enlarged, which include:

  • Aging
  • Childbirth
  • Sexual intercourse

Needs for Labiaplasty

  • To maintain hygiene of the vulva area
  • To prevent discomfort while exercising or wearing tight clothes 
  • Prevent recurrent urinary tract infections 
  • To get relief from irritation around the intimate area
  • To experience enhanced sexual pleasure

Diagnosis - Labiaplasty

Apart from experiencing swelling or inflammation, you are likely to experience a number of signs and symptoms if you have an enlarged labia. Some of the symptoms may include:

  • Pain while walking or sitting
  • A visible small bump on the labia
  • Itching and burning sensations around the genital region
  • Unusual vaginal discharge
  • Foul smelling odor from the vagina

If you experience any of the following, you should consider seeking medical help and consult a gynaecologist as it can interfere with your daily life, causing discomfort while performing physical activities.

Self-diagnosis of Labiaplasty

Risks & Complications - Labiaplasty

There is a possibility of complications occurring after any other surgical procedure that involves cuts or incisions. A patient may experience a couple of complications after a Labiaplasty (labia reduction surgery), which can include the following:

  • Bleeding from the surgical site
  • Infection around the wound
  • Allergic reaction to the anesthesia 
  • Scarring in and around the surgical site
  • Chronic dryness
  • Formation of blood clots or hematoma

It is extremely important to take proper care and follow the set of post-operative guidelines that is prescribed by the doctor. Following the doctor’s instructions properly can help in eliminating the risks of severe complications such as clotting of blood in veins, recurrent vaginal infections, or painful sexual experience. 

  • Prevention of Labiaplasty

    Prevention

    Prevention of Labiaplasty

    There is no proven way to prevent the enlargement of the labia. A swollen labia might be the result of aging, childbirth or sexual intercourse. However, you can prevent the labia from swelling any further by:

    • Applying cold compress in the swollen area
    • Taking several warm baths in a day 
    • Refraining from wearing tight-fitted clothes
    • Avoiding perfumed detergents, soaps, and certain other products to which you are sensitive.
    • Using lubricants properly while indulging in sexual activities
    • Adding adequate amount of yogurt and probiotics in your diet

    However, it is to be noted that the above mentioned tips can help in dealing with the symptoms of a swollen labia but cannot help in treating it. Consulting a doctor can help you to understand the right line of treatment available to you for treating a swollen or enlarged labia.

  • Myths & facts about Labiaplasty

    Myths & facts

    Myths & facts about Labiaplasty

    Myth 1: Labiaplasty is performed purely due to cosmetic reasons.

    Fact: Women who undergo labiaplasty have more of a practical rather than an aesthetic reason. An enlarged labia can interfere with a woman’s ability to live a normal life, causing pain and discomfort. Beyond the physical and functional reasons, labiaplasty often improves a woman’s self-esteem and enables them to be more self-confident of their body

    Myth 2: Labiaplasty is very painful.

    Fact: Although labiaplasty deals with a very sensitive area of the body, it generally is not very painful. As with any surgical procedure, it also may involve minimal discomfort. However, any soreness can be easily dealt with medications prescribed by the doctor.

    Myth 3: The results of labiaplasty do not last long.

    Fact: The results of labiaplasty are permanent. The enlarged tissue is completely removed during the procedure. However, the appearance may slightly change over time due to aging, but even pregnancy or vaginal delivery will not alter the results.

    Myth 4: Labiaplasty will interfere with sexual stimulation.

    Fact: This is the reason that many women hesitate to undergo labiaplasty, even if it is for a practical reason. The tissues adjusted with labiaplasty do not affect sexual sensation at all. The nerve endings that are most important for sexual sensation are located elsewhere and are not affected during the procedure. Therefore, labiaplasty will not interfere with sexual activity, and neither will it affect your ability to achieve orgasm or ability to get pregnant.

When to consult a doctor for Labiaplasty?

An enlarged or swollen labia may not pose any immediate threat to your overall health conditions. However, the continued swelling or enlargement can interfere with your day-to-day activities, causing discomfort and pain while indulging in physical or sexual activities. In such cases, you should consider consulting a gynaecologist for treating and repairing your labia. 

Questions to ask your doctor

What might be the possible reasons for the enlargement of the labia?
Based on your diagnosis, are there any alternatives for treating my condition other than a surgery?
Given my health conditions, are there any chances of me being exposed to anesthetic reactions?
Will the treatment procedure have any impact on my sexual health?
Will I be exposed to any risks and complications during or after the surgery?
Will there be any changes in my sexual sensations after the surgery?
Will the procedure have any affect on my future pregnancies?
How long will I have to wait for having sex after a labiaplasty?

Treatment Options & Cost - Labiaplasty

  • Labiaplasty: Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that aims at enhancing the appearance of the vulva by reducing the size of the labia minora, the inner lips of the vulva. Earlier, doctors used to rely only on one single method of labia reduction surgery. However, with the advancement of medical technologies and techniques over the years, the labia can now be treated in three methods:
  • Trim Procedure: Performed under the influence of general anesthesia, the surgeon in this procedure makes the incision vertically along the length of the labia minora with the help of a laser or scalpel. Once the linear incision is made, the doctor removes the excessive tissue around the labia minora to make it look more symmetrical with the labia majora.
  • Wedge procedure: This procedure involves the removal of a small part of the excess tissue from the labia minora in the shape of a wedge. Keeping the submucosa layer intact, the surgeon removes only the thickest part of the inner lips. This procedure is also performed after administration of an anesthesia.
  • De-epithelialization procedure: Performed under the influence of general anesthesia, the gynaecologist in this procedure completely removes the inner lining of the labia. The post-surgical complications of this procedure are less as compared to all other procedures and the recovery time as well is fast.
labiaplasty insurance coverage

Insurance Coverage - Labiaplasty

Since a labiaplasty is performed primarily for cosmetic purposes, it is generally not covered under health insurance. 

To understand the terms and conditions, you can get in touch with the Pristyn Care team.

labiaplasty insurance coverage
Recovery rate of Labiaplasty

Recovery Rate - Labiaplasty

Recovery after a Labiaplasty may take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. Properly following the doctor’s instructions play an equally important role in the recovery process. The doctor will prescribe certain over-the-counter pain medications and oral anti-inflammatory medications that would help in controlling the pain and eliminate the risks of any complications around the surgical wound. However, if the pain still persists and is not adequately controlled, the patient should consult the doctor without making any delays.

Recovery rate of Labiaplasty

Latest Research

  • labiaplasty-research-01

    New study explores symptomatology, quality of life before and after labiaplasty

  • labiaplasty-research-02

    Labiaplasty Is the World’s Fastest Growing Cosmetic Surgery Procedure, International Study Reports

FAQ

How long does it take for a labiaplasty procedure to complete?

It takes about 45 minutes to complete the surgical procedure of labiaplasty. However, this may vary from patient to patient, depending on the extent of enlargement of the labia minora. The surgical hand also plays an important role in the duration of the surgery.

Will my scars be visible after undergoing Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty will not leave any external scarring. Over time, the incisions will  naturally fold with the skin. Hence, it is beneficial to have a certified plastic surgeon perform this procedure. You can consult certified cosmetic gynaecologists who have years of experience in performing cosmetic surgeries at Pristyn Care.

What is it like to recover after a labiaplasty?

It usually takes about 4 days for a woman to recover after a labiaplasty. However, it should be kept in mind that sexual or any other activities that involve friction on the pubic region must be avoided for at least 8 to 10 weeks after undergoing the procedure. 

Is there any chance of this procedure affecting my sensitivity?

In surgical procedures that are performed after making incisions, there is some initial numbing in the area where the incisions are made. However, this gets resolved once the procedure is complete and the reaction of the anesthesia wears off.

 

Who is a good candidate for undergoing a labiaplasty?

Any healthy female with an excessive amount of labial tissue that ranges between 4 to 5 cm is a good candidate for undergoing a labiaplasty.

What are some of the most common complications of a labiaplasty?

The most common complications of a procedure of labiaplasty include the following:

  • Infection
  • Separation of the suture line
  • Excessive bleeding

If you experience any of the above mentioned issues, you should immediately consult your doctor.

Facts and statistics around Labiaplasty

Possible side effects that can occur after a labiaplasty

As with any other surgical procedure, there might be certain side-effects and complications that may appear after a labiaplasty. Since there are some cuts and incisions (even though minute), the body requires some time to heal after the procedure. Although the side-effects are not major, some of these might include:

  • Infection
  • Hematoma
  • Temporary Numbness
  • Decreased sensitivity around the vulva
  • Mild discomfort during sexual intercourse in the initial days of recovery
  • Chronic dryness
  • Mild bleeding

None of the above mentioned complications and side-effects are considered to be medical emergencies. These can be easily managed by properly following the  post-operative instructions prescribed by the doctor.

Faster recovery after Labiaplasty

The recovery period determines the effectiveness of the treatment. Self-care measures play an important and essential role in the entire treatment. Mentioned below are some tips that can ensure a proper and faster recovery after a labiaplasty.

  • Take proper rest during the first 24 hours after the surgery.
  • Start walking slowly inside your room to ensure that there is blood circulation from the second day of the surgery.
  • Pay extra attention to the hygiene of the vaginal area till the healing process has fully completed.
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes.
  • Get confirmation from the doctor before resuming sexual activities.
  • Use sprays and other medications that have only been prescribed by the doctor.

Why choose Pristyn Care for undergoing Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty surgery requires the most-advanced cutting edge equipment to give 100% successful and effective results. At Pristyn Care, we understand how difficult as well as important it is to find an certified and experienced surgeon. Hence, to make it easier for the patient, we house some of the most experienced surgeons who are experts in carrying out the advanced procedures using the latest technologies. Not only that, there are a number of benefits you can expect while choosing us. The benefits include:

  • Top-rated hospitals and clinics in almost all the major cities of India.
  • Team of highly experienced cosmetic gynaecologists who have ample knowledge and experience in carrying out the safest and most effective procedure of labiaplasty 
  • All our associated hospitals and clinics follow COVID-19 safety protocols very strictly.
  • Free cab service on the day of the surgery for making the commuting process easier from home to the hospital and from the hospital to home upon the completion of the surgery.
  • Free-of-cost follow up with the doctor within a week after the surgery.
  • A free recovery and diet plan to ensure a faster and proper recovery.

Pristyn Care strives to provide a seamless and hassle-free surgical experience to each and every patient. Hence, we provide complete assistance to our patient throughout the entire treatment journey. 

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