What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is one of the most commonly performed vaginal rejuvenation procedures in the world. It is a surgical option for vaginal rejuvenation that is designed to remove or decrease the length of the labia (the inner and outer folds of skin that surround the opening of the vagina). Most often labiaplasty involves trimming back the inner labia (labia minora) so that they appear tucked inside the outer labia (labia majora). When the labia are so long that they hang, it can be problematic as well as a source of anxiety for women. For example, imagine pain/discomfort from the twisting and tugging of your labia or the embarrassment of your labia falling out of a bathing suit at the beach or pool.
The board-certified physician specialists at Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles can many times perform your labiaplasty on an outpatient basis, which means no hospital stay and you go home the same day. The offices are located on the campus of the world-renowned Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and most outpatient procedures are performed at the acclaimed La Peer Surgical Center in Beverly Hills. The physicians at Comprehensive Urology will perform your labiaplasty to provide a more pleasing labia appearance. More importantly, you will regain comfort whether walking, sitting, riding a bike, or having sexual intercourse. Also, this vaginal rejuvenation procedure enjoys a satisfaction rate of > 90%.
Why do People Choose Labiaplasty?
Some women are born with labia that are too large or asymmetrical, while others find that their labia become loose and stretched as a result of giving birth or aging. One of the most common reasons women opt for vaginal rejuvenation with labiaplasty is self-consciousness about the appearance of their labia. Some women may be motivated by functional reasons such as difficulty with everyday activities (i.e., exercising, sitting, or walking), discomfort/pain during sexual intercourse, or problematic hygiene issues. Still, the condition may prevent other women from wearing certain items of clothing such as swimsuits or tight jeans. Labiaplasty has the potential to restore self-confidence and self-esteem while relieving any physical discomfort/pain and increasing sexual satisfaction.
Advantages of Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is one of the fastest growing areas of cosmetic surgery. Rightly so, as many women today get caught up in “genital anxiety,” which has become increasingly common. As a result, a toll may be taken on the physical, as well as the mental, psyche of women with labia that are too large. Thankfully, labiaplasty has the potential to negate this toll and has the following advantages:
- Long-lasting results
- Short procedure
- Performed under local anesthesia
- Reduces physical pain or pinching of excess tissue
- Improves appearance of inner and/or outer labia
- Increase in self-confidence and comfort
- As with any surgical procedure, there are risks and complications to consider, which may or may not be deciding factors for a patient.
Candidates for Labiaplasty
Most labiaplasty patients are 18 years of age or older; however, in certain instances, labiaplasty may be performed on patients under 18.
There are several reasons related to function and appearance of the labia that motivate patients to seek a labiaplasty surgeon:
- Labial hypertrophy (enlarged labia)
- Correct labial asymmetry
- Difficulty wearing tight-fitted clothing
- Reduce pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse
- Reduce pain or discomfort during physical activity
- Improve vaginal appearance
- Reduce self-consciousness
Labiaplasty candidates may exhibit physical discomfort while sitting, exercising, or having sex or experience labial tears due to childbirth. Furthermore, labiaplasty patients may be self-conscious due to the appearance or size of the labia.
In many instances, women undergo a labiaplasty for cosmetic reasons. An enlarged labia may cause pain or discomfort. An enlarged labia also may cause pain during athletic activities, such as riding a bicycle.
For women who are uncomfortable with their labia, the labiaplasty experts at Comprehensive Urology can help. Our team teaches patients about labiaplasty treatments and will respond to patient concerns and questions. That way, we make it easy to determine whether a labiaplasty is right for you.
Comprehensive Urology understands the decision to undergo labiaplasty can be a tough choice. Our team works with patients to explain how labiaplasty is performed and how it can help patients achieve their treatment goals. With this approach, we help patients weigh the pros and cons of labiaplasty and make an informed treatment decision.
Causes of Labial Hypertrophy
- Genetics
- Infection or other trauma
- Increase in estrogen and other hormone changes during puberty
- Increase in blood flow to the genital area during pregnancy
Who Performs Labiaplasty at Comprehensive Urology?
Dr. Kia Michel and Dr. Cristina Palmer are two of the most sought-after urologists in Los Angeles. They take a personalized approach to labiaplasty treatments and ensure patients receive the care and attention they deserve. That way, Dr. Michel and Dr. Palmer consistently help labiaplasty patients achieve their desired treatment results.
Types of Labiaplasty Procedures
There are numerous surgical techniques designed to address a variety of concerns when it comes to labiaplasty, however, the main goals of these procedures is typically to reduce the size of the inner or outer lips (labial reduction).
Labia Minora Reduction
This labiaplasty procedure involves removing excess or uneven skin interior vaginal lips that may have become stretched, loose, or enlarged, resulting in discomfort or embarrassment. Many women choose to undergo a labiaplasty because the protruding inner lips can create an unsightly bulge when wearing bathing suits, leotards, or other tight-fighting outfits.
In order to reduce the size of the inner lips, the urological surgeons at Comprehensive Urology will make minimal incisions to reduce bleeding and scarring, as well as improve the overall recovery experience. Less tissue damage should require less downtime.
Labia Majora Reduction
The labia majora reduction procedure involves removing excess or uneven skin of the outer vaginal lips. The labia majoraplasty is a surgical procedure used to reduce the size of the outer, hair-bearing labia majora. It is intended for patients who feel their labia majora are too large or hang down, which may cause discomfort during physical activities such as cycling. Or, patients sometimes undergo a labia majoraplasty if they feel embarrassed about the fullness of their labia majora.
In many cases, the labia majora can become stretched or enlarged as a result of childbirth or aging. The excess tissue can cause discomfort or make women feel too self-conscious or embarrassed to wear tight-fitting clothing, such as yoga pants, jogging shorts, bathing suits, or leotards.
In reducing the size or shape of the outer labial folds via labiaplasty, our surgeons use the most advanced techniques to safely remove excess skin with minimal incisions strategically placed to achieve natural-looking results.
Labiaplasty Revision
Labiaplasty revision may be required if a patient fails to achieve his or her desired results during an initial labiaplasty procedure. Some of the reasons why a patient may require labiaplasty revision include:
- Asymmetry needs to be corrected
- A prominent edge needs to be smoothed
- A scar needs to be repaired
- A small irregularity needs to be removed
Minor labiaplasty revisions may be performed under local anesthesia. The revisions may involve a minimal recovery period, too.
Clitoral Hood Reduction
In some instances, a labiaplasty without a clitoral hood reduction may leave a patient with a top-heavy look. However, a clitoral hood reduction helps balance the results of a labiaplasty.
A clitoral hood reduction procedure is usually performed at the same time as a labiaplasty. It may be administered under local anesthesia with oral sedation or under general anesthesia.
Clitoral Reduction
A clitoral reduction procedure enables a woman to address a large clitoris. It helps a woman reduce the size of the head (glans) and shaft of the clitoris and maintain normal sensitivity. During the procedure, the clitoral head is elevated, and the erectile shaft of the clitoris is removed. The shaft is also repositioned, and redundant clitoral hood skin can be removed to reduce the length, width, and protrusion of the hood and clitoris. Furthermore, clitoral reduction allows a woman to reduce the size of the clitoris’ head.
Typically, clitoral reduction requires only a few hours to complete. The surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, and patients often experience little to no pain during treatment.
Monsplasty
Monsplasty is a procedure used to reduce bulging of the mons, the upper portion of the hair-bearing part of the vulva. The mons may create a bulge that sometimes makes women feel embarrassed about wearing a bathing suit or tight pants. With monsplasty, a woman can reduce the amount of fatty tissue and/or skin that cause this bulge.
A monsplasty procedure may require the removal of a large amount of skin, or liposuction may be used to address bulging of the mons. The procedure may be administered under local anesthesia with oral sedation or under general anesthesia.
All types of labiaplasty procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthetic, allowing the patient to return home within the same day. It’s not uncommon for our team to perform a labiaplasty at the same time as other urologic treatments, such as pelvic organ prolapse, to ensure our patients receive the most comprehensive treatment available.
Preparing for your Labiaplasty
Now that you have decided to have your labiaplasty at Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles, you need to prepare for your surgical vaginal rejuvenation procedure. There are three main areas of consideration when preparing for your labiaplasty (or any surgery for that matter): pre-operative, logistics, and post-operative.
Your physician at Comprehensive Urology will provide you with a pre-operative list of dos and don’ts before your scheduled labiaplasty. If you are taking medications, vitamins, and/or supplements, certain ones may have to be discontinued. If you are a smoker, you will need to quit well in advance of surgery to promote optimal healing and recovery. Paperwork may need to be filled out in advance for your surgeon and/or insurance carrier.
Logistically, your travel arrangements need to be considered. Are you traveling to another town, another state, or even another country for your labiaplasty? How are you getting home after your vaginal rejuvenation procedure? Don’t forget to wear a loose fitting, comfortable outfit on the day of surgery.
Lastly, your surgeon at Comprehensive Urology will provide you with post-operative instructions. You may receive prescription narcotics for pain relief as well topical medication(s) and dressings for your recovery. There will definitely be downtime after your labiaplasty. You will also need to watch for signs and symptoms of surgical complications.
What to Expect During Labiaplasty Surgery
Comprehensive Urology requests a patient consultation before a labiaplasty is performed. At this time, we will outline the procedure and help patients prepare for treatment. We also will respond to patient concerns and questions. This ensures a patient feels comfortable and confident about the procedure.
Many labiaplasty procedures are performed under local anesthesia. However, in some instances, labiaplasty may be administered under general anesthesia.
A labiaplasty procedure usually can be completed in less than an hour. Actual treatment time varies depending on the patient and procedure.
The Comprehensive Urology team is committed to helping patients prepare for labiaplasty in any way possible. As such, we will offer recommendations and tips to ensure patients are fully prepared for treatment.
Labiaplasty Surgery Methods
The two most common labiaplasty surgery methods are wedge and trim labiaplasty. At Comprehensive Urology, our team is happy to teach patients about both options and determine which labiaplasty surgery method can help a patient achieve the best-possible results.
Wedge Labiaplasty
A wedge labiaplasty, also known as excision labiaplasty and linear labiaplasty, involves the use of a V-shaped pattern to remove a central wedge of the labia minora. Then, the front and back portions of the labia minora are stitched back together.
Patients may choose wedge labiaplasty to address asymmetry or excess length of the central third of the labia minora. Also, an extended wedge labiaplasty is available. During this procedure scars are hidden, and a patient can achieve a natural-edge look.
Trim Labiaplasty
A trim labiaplasty involves the removal of redundant labia minora. It enables a patient to reduce labial length along the labia minora and remove darkened tissue at the edge of the labia.
Trimming helps a patient change the shape and size of the labia minora. It also allows a patient to address excess labial length, asymmetry, and hyperpigmentation.
Recovering from Labiaplasty
In most cases, patients typically recover fairly quickly from labia reshaping surgery. During the first few days after the labiaplasty, women can expect to have swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the genital area, however, these side effects can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and rest. Additionally, there are risks for scarring and reduced vaginal sensitivity. While labiaplasty is a surgical procedure with inherent associated risks, they are minimal. Your physician at Comprehensive Urology will discuss any potential complications with you during your initial consultation.
Patients are advised to wear loose fitting clothing during the first several days after a labiaplasty to eliminate the risk of friction and discomfort. It will also be helpful for women to wear a pad for a few days in the event of minor bleeding and to take prescription antibiotics to prevent infection.
Most patients can return to work within a few days of labiaplasty. Patients generally will need to abstain from sex for approximately six weeks after treatment. Meanwhile, patients should expect to see full treatment results within about four to six months of surgery.
Every patient recovers at her own pace after a labiaplasty, so it’s important to listen to your body and discuss your recovery process with the doctors at Comprehensive Urology in Los Angeles. We can help monitor your progress and will advise when it’s safe to resume exercising as well as sexual activity after the labiaplasty procedure.
Is Labiaplasty Effective?
Labiaplasty has been shown to help women shorten the labia and ensure it no longer hangs below the level of the hair-bearing labia majora. The procedure provides relief for patients who experience tugging and twisting of the labia. Additionally, multiple studies indicate the satisfaction rate of labiaplasty patients exceeds 90%. Another option for vaginal rejuvenation is
ThermiVa, a non-invasive non-hormonal vaginal rejuvenation treatment that can help you reclaim natural lubrication, sexual comfort, and confidence. Schedule a vaginal rejuvenation consultation online or call us at (310) 499-2756 to learn about the best option for you.
How Much Does Labiaplasty Cost? Is Labiaplasty Covered by my Insurance?
The cost for labiaplasty varies, but usually includes the physician’s fee, facility fee, and all pre-operative and post-operative appointments. Every labiaplasty patient is different, and your specialist at Comprehensive Urology will consider your particular medical history, physical exam and expectations to tailor the best treatment plan to fit your individualized needs.
Schedule a Labiaplasty Consultation Today!
Our urologists at Comprehensive Urology in Beverly Hills use the most advanced treatment options for labiaplasty procedures. Contact us to schedule a vaginal rejuvenation consultation by calling (310) 499-2756 today!