LABIAPLASTY

SEATTLE

Many women have insecurities about the appearance of their labia. These insecurities can make it difficult to feel comfortable in certain clothing or bathing suits, or in intimate situations — and excess labial tissue can make exercise or sex physically uncomfortable, too. That discomfort is real, and you're not alone in it.

WHAT IS A LABIAPLASTY?

With age, childbirth, genetics, or trauma, the labia minora — the inner lips of the vaginal area — can elongate or stretch. A Labiaplasty is a plastic surgery procedure to remove the extra, redundant tissue and create a smooth, symmetric appearance. The "ideal" labia minora tuck nicely between the labia majora, staying relatively hidden while standing. Patients seeking a Labiaplasty often have labia minora tissue that extends well beyond the labia majora.

While these insecurities can be difficult to discuss, as a female plastic surgeon, I provide a comfortable environment for my patients to talk openly about them and learn about their options.

A CLOSER LOOK

A careful evaluation of the trunk as a whole must be done in order to assess which areas will need to be addressed during surgery. During your seattle plastic surgery consultation, Dr. Megan will examine the amount and location of loose skin, the location and extent of fat deposits and the position of the rectus muscles and presence of a rectus diastasis. There are multiple variations of a Tummy Tuck that can be tailored to meet each individual patient’s anatomy and goals.

THE PROCEDURE

A Labiaplasty is performed in our AAAASF-accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center in the Nordstrom Medical Tower in downtown Seattle, as an outpatient procedure. About half of patients choose to be awake for surgery; the other half choose IV sedation performed by our team of anesthesiologists. If you're awake, a topical numbing cream is applied in the preoperative area, followed by an injection of local anesthetic once you're in the operating room and marked. Either way, the local anesthetic helps with pain control and bleeding control during the procedure.

Once in the operating room, you're placed in a lithotomy position (legs in stirrups) to perform the surgery. Tissue is removed, all bleeding is stopped, and the skin edges are closed with dissolving stitches placed under the skin — all sutures are internal, so there's nothing to have removed later. You're then placed in a sanitary pad to catch any minor bleeding and taken to the recovery room until you're ready to go home.

TYPES OF LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURES

There are two general approaches to reducing the size of the labia minora. A "Wedge" Labiaplasty removes a wedge of tissue from the central labia minora and brings the edges together. A "Trim" Labiaplasty trims the edges of the labia minora to reduce the overall size. Which one is right for you depends on your unique anatomy.

LABIAPLASTY ANATOMY

The details of the female anatomy are often overlooked.

Clitoral Hood

Labia Majora

Perineum

Labia Minora

Vaginal Opening

Rectum

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE?

The ideal candidate for a Labiaplasty is in good overall health and is a non-smoker. Smoking significantly increases the risk of wound healing complications and needs to stop a minimum of 4 weeks before your procedure and 4 weeks after.

Beyond the basics, your candidacy comes down to a few specifics I evaluate in person during your consultation:

Where your excess tissue is located, and whether it's on one side or both — this determines whether a Wedge or Trim approach fits your anatomy better.

Whether other areas need addressing at the same time, like the clitoral hood or perineal region.

Your goals and any functional discomfort you're experiencing, like irritation during exercise or intimacy, which helps guide the surgical plan alongside your aesthetic preferences.

Patients with a history of blood clots, or multiple risk factors for them, may need to take a blood thinner after surgery. We'll review your history carefully beforehand.

Dr. Megan far exceeded my expectations. She is extremely caring, talented, educated, and attentive. I am so thankful for her, she truly changed my life in the best way possible! I feel great knowing I 100% chose the right surgeon for my procedure.

SCHEDULE NOW

LABIAPLASTY RECOVERY

After surgery, you'll be discharged to your caregiver once you've recovered from anesthesia (if given). You'll be given pain medication and anti-nausea medication for maximal comfort. During the procedure, an injection of numbing medication will be given and re-applied prior to completion. This will be a mixture of long and short acting numbing medication to help keep you comfortable immediately after surgery. Apply antibiotic ointment to your incisions daily, and you can begin showering a few days after surgery. Spotting is normal, and you'll go home with a pad — plan to keep wearing one as needed.

Start walking immediately after surgery to help prevent blood clots in your legs, but avoid anything that raises your heart rate or blood pressure for the first few weeks, since that increases bleeding risk and slows healing. Nothing per vagina — tampons, sex, etc. — for 6 weeks following surgery.

A few things that make the first week more comfortable: avoid direct pressure on the area (sitting) as much as you can. When you do need to sit for commuting or work, a donut pillow helps. Peri bottles are useful in the first few days while the incision is fresh, to keep acidic urine off it. Loose-fitting clothing helps avoid shearing on the area. Gentle movement is encouraged.

Most patients are surprised by how quick this recovery is. By 3 weeks, if everything looks good, you can return to most normal activity, starting with light exercise — we'll go over specifics at your 3-week visit. Anything involving prolonged sitting or significant tension on the incisions should still be avoided at that point. Average time off work is 1 week, though this depends on the nature of your job.

feminine pads

Stock up on heavy flow feminine pads post -labiaplasty, not only for bleeding after surgery but also for comfort.

peri bottle

A Peri bottle is used in postpartum recovery to sooth the perineum or vaginal incision. It is perfect for a labiaplasty incision line.

ice packs

Ice or cool packs designed to fit in the underwear are perfect for relief after your labiaplasty.

donut pillow

A pillow designed to relieve pressure to the vaginal area. Pro tip-- a nursing pillow can also work!

How Soon After A Labiaplasty Can I Exercise?

Exercise can generally begin 4 weeks after a Labiaplasty. Certain exercises such as biking may require additional healing time before resuming.

Will I Also Get Vaginal Tightening With A Labiaplasty?

No, a labiaplasty is designed to address the outer anatomy of the vagina which will not affect vaginal tightness. There are separate interventions offering tightening such as radiofrequency devices and a vaginoplasty.

What Is The Biggest Complication Of A Labiaplasty?

Generally, complication rate following a labiaplasty is low. Possible complications include bleeding, delayed wound healing, excessive scaring and asymmetry.

How Uncomfortable Will I Be After My Labiaplasty?

Surprisingly, despite the sensitive nature of the female genitalia, a labiaplasty is usually very well tolerated. Discomfort sitting and using the bathroom are expected initially.