Labiaplasty

The results of a labiaplasty can be very satisfying, giving the patient an improved body image and greater physical comfort.

What is a labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty, also called vaginal rejuvenation or vaginoplasty, is a procedure that can alter the shape, length, and size of the labia. The labia are the fleshy folds of tissue found at the opening of the vagina. There are two sets of labia: majora and minora. (The labia majora are the outer folds, and the labia minora are the inner folds.)

The labia’s existence (anatomical and physiological function) is to help protect the vaginal opening.

After childbirth, after significant weight loss, during hormone treatments, and through the natural progression of aging, the labia tissue can become more lax and thus elongate. A downside of this includes pain from pulling the labia when riding a bike, jogging, or during intercourse. Elongated labia can also cause itching, irritation, and self-consciousness in many patients.

Labiaplasty is the most commonly performed aesthetic genital plastic surgery and it can relieve the above symptoms women commonly experience with lax, asymmetrical, or elongated labia.

The goal of the procedure is to reduce the labia minora so that the tissue doesn’t hang below the hair-bearing labia majora. A labiaplasty may be performed to reduce asymmetry when one is longer than the other, or, more commonly, to reduce the length of both labia so that the labia no longer tug when wearing tight clothing or during intercourse or bulge out of a bathing suit. Labial reductions can also make personal hygiene easier to maintain, as well as help to simplify activities such as urinating and exercising.

The benefits of labiaplasty, and what a labiaplasty can do for you:

Having an asymmetrical or elongated labia can affect one’s self confidence. Even if you have an understanding partner, the physical and emotional implications can still exist. Having the labia addressed and altered via labiaplasty can help restore the patient’s self-image and confidence.

The labia can become lax, making intercourse painful and unpleasant for some patients. Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy intimacy without pain and discomfort.

Tighter-fitting clothing can irritate the labia and affect your quality of life. (This includes swimwear, yoga pants, and other athletic attire.)

Labiaplasty can help provide the labia with a “refreshed”, younger, and more rejuvenated appearance.

Will I lose feeling if I have a labiaplasty?

Some numbness after a labiaplasty procedure is normal and can be expected in most patients. This is the body’s natural response to having tissues operated on. Some of the nerves are affected, and it can take some time for them to “reconnect” (from 1–3 months), but every patient is different and heals in their own time.

It is important to note that the numb feeling would be present along the incision line made during the procedure. The actual clitoral tissue itself is not operated on, so numbness should not occur in the clitoris, but around it.

What are the different types of labiaplasty?

1. Laser reduction labiaplasty for labia minora and labia majora

Laser labiaplasty is a gentler method for removal of excess labial tissue, sculpting the skin around the vaginal opening. Laser labiaplasty avoids surgical clamping of the labia seen in traditional labiaplasty, and dissolvable sutures are put in place. This procedure is usually performed on an out-patient basis using general or twilight anesthesia. The labia will either be shortened or a small triangular-shaped wedge will be removed with the sides sutured together to form smaller skin folds. Because the laser seals the blood vessels as it cuts, the amount of bleeding is very minimal; the bruising, pain and swelling are also decreased—speeding up the recovery process.

2. Traditional (surgical) labiaplasty

Labia minora

There are two main types of procedures to address the labia minora (the inner folds): the trim technique and wedge resection. Both of which are usually performed under general anesthesia.

Labia majora

Procedures to address the labia majora (outer folds) typically can be performed in 2 different ways:

These are both meant to tighten, lift, and alter the size of the outer labia folds, providing a more youthful appearance that the patient is happy with.

What to expect after labiaplasty surgery and timeline for returning to normal activities:

Most patients take a week off from work after a labiaplasty, during which they can reduce swelling and pain by icing with a cold pack placed between the patient’s undergarments and an elastic-type shorts or pants, like Spanx or yoga pants. This can be done in a series of “twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off.”

The patient can also lie with her bottom elevated to reduce swelling. While the most distorting swelling is gone by 6 weeks, residual swelling may take 6 months to fully disappear.

Patients will be prescribed antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and can take anti-inflammatories to reduce pain.

Post-operative care for labiaplasty:
While recovering from the labiaplasty procedure, patients are usually advised to:

Who is a good candidate for labiaplasty?

Healthy, nonsmokers over the age of 18 who do not have any preexisting medical conditions that would contraindicate having a labiaplasty, and also patients:

1. Who have lax skin in the labia area;
2. Who have just lost a great deal of weight;
3. Post childbirth (a minimum of 6 months-post childbirth);
4. Experiencing pain or irritation from tight clothing or during intercourse; and
5. Who feel self-conscious about the appearance of their labia (in intimate situations or while wearing tight clothing, such as bathing suits).

Are your labia interfering with the quality of your life?

Understanding our patient’s perspective is crucial in assessing surgical outcomes. We encourage all patients to schedule a private consultation with us so we can help you address your labia concerns. We will take your health history, do a physical examination, and help determine which type of labiaplasty procedure would best fit your needs and help achieve your aesthetic and physical goals.

Some questions to ask the doctor during your labiaplasty consultation at Nouvelle Confidence:

Click here to schedule your private labiaplasty consultation with Nouvelle Confidence at our convenient Linden NJ locations today.

822 N Wood Ave #201, Linden, NJ 07036· (908) 925-2111

Other sexual wellness procedures offered at Nouvelle Confidence:
The G shot and The Love Shot

The Love-Shot and the G Shot are injections of the patient’s own extracted Platelet-Rich Plasma (or Restylane, Radiesse, or collagen) into the clitoris and the anterior wall of the vagina close to the “G-spot”, or Grafenberg spot. The Love-Shot and G Shot both add volume to the area injected, increasing the patient’s sensation and sensitivity during intercourse.

The Love Shot has been shown to help women suffering from urinary incontinence too! To learn more about the Love Shot and G Shot, and how they can help enhance your sexual wellness, talk to one of the caring providers at Nouvelle Confidence.