Labiaplasty Cosmetic Surgery
Labiaplasty cosmetic surgery is the surgical correction of excessively long labia. This is the skin which arises either side of the entrance to a woman’s vagina. If this is excessively long it can look embarrassing and get in the way during sex.
What is involved?
The old technique of simply cutting of the extra skin and stitching the end together can leave a painful scar at the end of the labia, which can both look unattractive and cause more sexual problems. I never do this technique. I prefer to take the extra away from further back and leave either no scar or just a short scar over the end of the labia. I think this improves the cosmetic and functional result. I prefer to tailor the operation to where the woman has extra labia. Some women have extra just at the front, other at the front and back. I think no one operation fits all and tailor the procedure to get the best cosmetic and functional final result
What can I expect?
In most cases the operation is done as a day case, meaning you come into hospital the day of the procedure and leave later that evening. If the operation is done later in the day I may ask you to stay overnight. The labia tend to be very swollen and bruised afterwards and this is normal. All the stitches I use are dissolving, so no need to have any painful stitches removed. The selling tends to settle gradually over a few weeks.
The operation tends to be quite sore for the first week to ten days, but we will give you plenty of painkillers to cope with this. It is best to do very little for the first week and aim to take two weeks off work. Normal exercise and sexual relations should not restart for six weeks
What can go wrong?
As with any operation complications can occasionally occur. The skin in this area is thin and swells and bruises easily. This tends to settle slowly. In rare situations a blood clot may form in the labia. This will look like a golf ball under the skin. If this happened you will have to go to theatre to have the bleeding stopped.
To combat the possibility of infection I will give you antibiotics during the procedure, ask you to shower twice daily and give you antibiotics cream to apply to the area. In the rare instance that infection does start you may need to take antibiotics for longer.
The scars are mostly placed hidden round the sides of the labia and heal well in most cases. This healing can take a couple of weeks and the scar is sore during this period. Small areas of the scar line can take longer to heal sometimes.
How are the Results?
The vast majority of patients are overjoyed by the results of Labiaplasty, which leaves them with better looking, more youthful labia which don’t get in the way.
How can I go ahead?
If you are interested in an appointment for Labiaplasty please call us on 0800 334 5153 or 0141 332 5106 or fill in the online form. I would be happy see you at either the Nuffield or Ross Hall Private hospitals.