What is a Labiaplasty?—Understanding the Procedure, Benefits, and Recovery

When people hear the term plastic surgery, popular procedures like the facelift, breast augmentation, and liposuction usually come to mind. Few people would first consider a procedure to correct the most intimate part of a woman’s body, the vagina, let alone know what the surgery is called. Yet, thousands of women undergo a labiaplasty every year for functional and/or aesthetic reasons.

If you’re unfamiliar with labiaplasty, the plastic surgeons of Naples Plastic Surgery can educate you. They confirm that the demand for the surgery is less than many other procedures but report that their Southwest Florida labiaplasty patients are thrilled with the results. Let’s dive deeper into the procedure to help you understand what it entails, why women seek it, and the benefits it provides them.

Why Would a Woman Seek a Labiaplasty?

Women’s vulvas are as distinctive as their faces, and their unique features—labia minora (inner lips), labia majora (outer lips), and clitoris—vary widely among women in size, thickness, shape, color, and symmetric placement. And like our faces, the vaginal area changes over time due to aging, while childbirth, menopause, and medical issues can also alter its appearance. The variations among vulvas, and especially the labia minora, are so significant that there isn’t any such thing as a “normal” looking vulva.

However, some women experience labial hypertrophy, which is the medical term for an enlarged labia that causes pain and discomfort. Labial enlargement can cause chafing of the sensitive vulvar skin, especially when exposed to specific clothing and exercises like cycling and running. An engorged labia is also prone to retaining moisture, increasing the frequency of developing yeast or urinary tract infections.

Some women’s enlarged labia minora can get pulled into the vagina during sex, causing painful tears to the labial skin or otherwise taking the joy out of intercourse. In such cases, a labiaplasty is often medically necessary to restore sexual function and health.

From an aesthetic perspective, women with labial hypertrophy may suffer embarrassment if the enlargement is visibly noticeable through clothing or if their underwear cannot fully contain an elongated labium. An enlarged, elongated, misshapen, or asymmetric labia can also affect a woman’s self-consciousness during intimate moments, impeding sexual enjoyment and possibly compromising relationships.

How Does a Labiaplasty Address Labial Issues?

Also known as vaginal rejuvenation, most labiaplasty surgeries reshape the labia minora to decrease their size, make them more symmetrical, and give them a more tucked-in appearance within the labia majora. Each labiaplasty is tailored to specifically meet the patient’s unique health and aesthetic goals, and surgical techniques focus on preserving and enhancing critical tissues involved in sexual function and pleasure.

While most labiaplasties focus on the labia minora, some surgeries can include reduction or augmentation of the labia majora and/or removing excess clitoral hood tissue (hoodectomy). In such cases, this supplementary work can enhance labia minora surgical efforts, while a hoodectomy can also improve sexual sensation.

Are You a Good Candidate for a Labiaplasty in Naples?

Anyone who is experiencing labial hypertrophy is potentially a good candidate for labiaplasty, as are those whose embarrassment over an enlarged or misshapen labia is causing significant emotional distress or intimacy issues. Viable candidates need to be non-smokers in good health with no gynecological conditions or uncontrolled health issues that can complicate healing. Labiaplasty patients need to have realistic expectations about what the surgery can achieve and be willing to commit to four to six weeks of limited activity. Anyone planning a future pregnancy must know that hormonal and physical changes can alter labiaplasty results.

Your Labiaplasty Procedure and Aftercare

Labiaplasty procedures at our Naples surgical suite are always preceded by an in-depth consultation with your chosen surgeon, Dr. Leo Baccaro, Dr. Mark Walsh, or Dr. Andrew Bonett. This consultation carefully reviews the desired aesthetic and functional outcomes, details the specifics of the surgery, and ensures that all of the patient’s questions are answered.

The actual surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia with oral sedation or deep sedation, as requested by the patient. Our surgeons typically start by removing a wedge-shaped portion of excess labia tissue and then suture the edges together to shorten and tighten the lips. They remove other vaginal tissues as needed to further reduce labia minora size and improve symmetry.

Our surgeons can usually perform a labiaplasty in under an hour. Once the anesthesia’s effects have subsided, patients can return to their homes with recovery guidance and prescription medications to help manage pain and prevent infection. Most patients need up to a week of downtime before resuming normal daily activities, and it can take several weeks for swelling, bruising, and sensitivity to subside. Patients should avoid vigorous exercise for at least three weeks and abstain from sexual intercourse for six.

Resolve Your Labial Issues with Naples Plastic Surgery

Our skilled surgeons and medical team are dedicated to delivering outstanding surgical results to meet each patient’s aesthetic and functional goals fully. To learn more about our expertise and how plastic surgery can resolve your labial issues in Naples, schedule your labiaplasty consultation by contacting our office at 239.566.2611.