Are you considering labiaplasty? Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure performed on the labia minora, which are the inner skin folds of the vulva.
While plastic surgery is and should be a personal choice, there are always potential risks involved. Your surgeon will be able to determine whether or not you are eligible for labiaplasty and will be sure to outline any risk involved.
There are few situations that call for a medically necessary labiaplasty procedure. This surgery is determined by how your labia minora impact your life, rather than by their appearance. Depending on their length, your labia minora may cause pain during sex. They can also cause irritation or discomfort while wearing underwear or a swimsuit, being active or doing regular daily activities.
Typically, gynecologic surgeons will be hesitant to recommend this surgery. The only exception would be if you suffer from some sort of abnormality of the labia, such as melanoma. Cosmetic labiaplasty, on the other hand, is about wanting your labia minora to look a certain way (typically shorter).
There is not a medical guide that dictates a standard length of a labia. Generally, surgeons will perform a labiaplasty if the labia minora are excessively long, also known as hypertrophic. If the labia minora are more than five to six centimeters, a surgeon will consider Labiaplasty.
Labiaplasty is considered an outpatient procedure that can be done with a mix of local anesthesia and sedation. During the procedure, the surgeon will trim the labia and use dissolvable sutures to close up the labia’s edges.
Following the surgery the vulva will be sore and swollen, which is why patients typically take a week off work post-surgery. Surgeons recommend wearing loose clothing for a few days after the procedure to avoid painful friction; a warm bath can also help to relieve discomfort. The entire healing process can last four to six weeks. Avoiding tampons, sex and vigorous activities following the surgery will aid in the healing process.
Labiaplasty is a relatively quick procedure. The surgery can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. The length of the surgery depends on the specific needs of the patient and whether the surgeon is required to do both sides of the labia or not.
Some patients experience scarring, which can make the skin less stretchy than before the surgery. There is also a possibility the surgeon can cut more skin than necessary, which can cause pain during sex, vaginal dryness and easier tearing during vaginal childbirth in the future.
Labiaplasty is not usually covered by insurance as it is considered to be cosmetic surgery. However, if you are an individual who suffers from melanoma or discomfort/pain that needs to be corrected, insurance may cover it.
If you are interested in labiaplasty, consult with a physician to see whether labiaplasty may be right for you.
Request an appointment here: https://eckhardtobgyn.com or call Donald Eckhardt Jr., M.D. , Kari Eckhardt W.H.N.P., C.N.M. at (346) 201-4716 for an appointment in our Tomball office.
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