Labiaplasty

(labial reduction, female genital surgery)

WHAT IS LABIAPLASTY?

Reshaping (usually decreasing the size of) the inner fold of the vulva which  protects the female genitalia.

WHY DO WOMEN CONSIDER LABIAPLASTY?

Vulval lips naturally come in many shapes or sizes. They can also thin and stretch with age.

Stretched or hanging vulval lips can catch/drag on clothing and/or during intercourse

A procedure to reduce their size is usually performed for reasons of comfort and/or appearance.

THE PROCEDURE

The procedure is usually comfortably performed under a local anaesthetic  (ie. With a local injection of anaesthetic – although it can of course be done under a general anaesthetic if desired). The procedure takes about one hour.

RECOVERY AFTER LABIAPLASTY

While all surgical procedures can potentially have problems with wound healing or bleeding, the post-op period is usually fairly straightforward and calls for no specialised dressings, and normal washing/hygiene.

Pain is usually of the paracetamol level. There is a restriction on more vigorous activity for about 10-14 days while post-op bruising , swelling and tenderness settles and on more direct trauma to the area for up to 4-6 weeks while the tissues strengthen.