Recovery tips post vaginoplasty surgery
There are a few tips that may help for faster recovery duration post vaginoplasty:
- Do not use tampons, but only soft absorbing menstrual pads for your next cycle post surgery.
- Your site would still be critical and sensitive for around 6-8 weeks post-surgery. Therefore, avoid sex/ anything penetrative in nature for a period of at least 1.5-2 months.
- Do not use perfume/ scented lotions/ soaps/ vaginal washes around your vaginal area until the complete healing. It could disturb your Ph balance and induce unwanted infections.
- Do not go for a swim or extended showers. It could foster bacteria and induce infections.
- Do not engage in low/high-intensity physical exercises. In fact, do not bend or overexert yourself at all. It could open up the stitches and induce bleeding and hematoma(collection of blood around the wound).
- Eat well-balanced and less spicy food. Include a lot of fluid intake including milk and fresh fruits
- Complete the full course of your medicines and follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully. Vaginoplasty post-care is extremely critical and negligence can bring serious complications.
- Keep the area free from infection
- Wear loose clothes to prevent rubbing
How to prepare for vaginoplasty surgery?
Some key instructions as a part of pre-surgery preparations include,
- 1.Do not engage in any sexual intercourse or penetrative activity for at least a month before the surgery.
- 2.Disclose all your current health conditions and medication to your doctor. You might be recommended to halt a few for some time. Quit smoking and alcoholic beverages for at least 6-7 weeks before the scheduled surgery
- 3.Stop any solid intake 6-8 hours before your surgery. However, you may include fluids, including water, fresh juices, sports drinks, or clear broth/ tea.
- 4.Do not shave the surgical site yourself.
After-care post Vaginoplasty
Aftercare post Vaginoplasty is extremely essential. Some key points include-
- 1.Do not use tampons or menstrual cups until your vagina completely heals from the surgery (typically 6-8 weeks). Instead, use soft sanitary pads during menstruation.
- 2.Do not engage in sexual activities before a complete clearance from your gynecologist (typically eight weeks).
- 3.Do not use perfumed lotions, deodorants, soaps, or vaginal washes before eight weeks from the surgery. Use only clear water and make sure you keep the vagina clean and moisture-free.
- 4.Do not swim/ lift heavy weights/ physically exert yourself before complete clearance from your gynecologist.
- 5.Make sure you complete your full cycle of the prescribed medicinal course and follow all your post-care instructions very carefully. They should help you recover smoother and minimize the risk of post-surgery infection/ complications
- . 6.Keep yourself hydrated, and eat a well-balanced diet including fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, milk, and dry fruits to give your body its required source of proteins, calcium, and iron.
What are the possible risks after vaginoplasty?
When performed under safe conditions and by a specialized and medically experienced doctor, vaginoplasty is a safe and minimum risk surgery. However, if the post-care is not handled carefully, you may experience a few risks and complications, including-
- Bleeding from the scars
- Post-surgery infection
- Hematoma (collection of blood around the wound)
- Temporary numbness
This is why you must take your post-care seriously and follow all your prescribed instructions, medicines, and ointments.
What is better- vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, or vulvoplasty?
While all three surgeries- vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, and vulvoplasty are plastic surgeries of the vagina, they all vary in functions.
- Vaginoplasty is a surgery focused at repairing the entire vaginal site. It helps restore both- the urinary and sexual functions of the organ, while also redefining the aesthetics. As a result, it helps tighten, shape, smoothen, and rejuvenate the entire vaginal area, thus solving vaginal looseness, dryness, and urinary leakage.
- Labiaplasty is a surgery to reshape only the inner or outer labia. It is mainly done to solve the constant chafing, rashes, and pain around the labial region.
- Vulvoplasty is a surgery focused on repairing only the vulvar region. It thus shapes and repairs only the outer vaginal area, thus helping enhance sexual sensation, function, and sensitivity.
Since all three are different surgeries, performed for different needs and functions, which open is better for you depends entirely on your exact health condition, personal needs, and expectations. Therefore it is best you discuss this directly with a doctor and let you both decide this post a detailed understanding of your symptoms and physical examination.