Today, more women are choosing to have labiaplasty than ever before. Still, many women remain in the dark about how this procedure works and how they could benefit from it. They worry that the process will be overly painful, that the labiaplasty cost is too high or they’re afraid to talk to their doctor about it.

Once you understand the process you may be more inclined to consider it. See also Understanding the difference between labiaplasty vs vaginoplasty

First things first, it’s important to understand the difference between labiaplasty and vaginoplasty. In short, a labiaplasty is a procedure done on the labia – that is the external portion of a woman’s genitals. A vaginoplasty is a procedure completed on the vagina.

Signs of a Good Candidate for a Labiaplasty Procedure

Women who choose the labiaplasty procedure typically have one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

– Pain, irritation, or discomfort in their labia. This often happens during specific activities or when certain clothing is worn.

– Hanging or long labia.

– A feeling of embarrassment during sex and physical intimacy.

Step one: Consultation

The first step of the labiaplasty procedure San Diego is to meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon, like Dr. Parvin Mani at San Diego Cosmetic Laser Clinic.

You’ll be assessed and your doctor will discuss your options with you. They will give you all the possible complications and address any concerns you have. They then cover the pre-op instructions you’ll need to follow, which generally include:

1. Not smoking for at least two weeks before the procedure.
2. Getting a physical examination from your doctor, including a test for anemia.
3. Instructions not to eat or drink anything for at least 12 hours before surgery.
4. No herbal supplements, multivitamins, or aspirin before the procedure.

Step two: Decide which method works best for you

There are two main methods for the labiaplasty procedure: (i) the trim method and (ii) the wedge method.

The trim method is also sometimes referred to as the strip method and is the option typically chosen if the issue is the length of the labia. In short, this method involves removing excess labia skin along the length of the labia minora. This is generally the option that has fewer complications and gives optimal results for clients who want to remove dark, long edges.

With the wedge method, only a wedge-shaped portion of the labia is reduced.

Step three: The procedure itself

Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure and usually takes about one to two hours to complete. Generally speaking, you will be sedated into a twilight level of sleep and experience no discomfort. Most patients are able to return home with an hour of the completion of the procedure.

Step four: Post-op recovery

You’ll likely notice minor swelling and discomfort after the procedure. Generally speaking, about 80 percent of the swelling will go down by the end of week one. All swelling should be gone by the six-week mark.

Labiaplasty Recovery Time

Your surgeon will discuss your post-op recovery with you, but it will likely look something like this:

Week one:

No work and soaking in Epsom salts daily, no sexual activity.

Week three:

No sexual activity.

Week four:

Return to normal activities, including sex.

Your doctor will also likely give you an inflatable donut to make it more comfortable to sit while you’re recovering.

Am I a good candidate for a labiaplasty?

The only way to know for sure is to consult with a plastic surgeon. Be sure they go over the possible complications, which include:

• Bleeding
• Ongoing pain
• Changes in sensation
• Infection

San Diego Cosmetic Laser Clinic

Labiaplasty is a procedure that helps ease pain, discomfort, and embarrassment for many women. Call San Diego Cosmetic Laser Clinic for a consultation today at (619) 583-7555 or click here to email us!