What is a labiaplasty?

The term labiaplasty refers to a procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora. It is the most commonly performed aesthetic genital plastic surgery and it can relieve symptoms women experience from twisting and tugging of the labia.

Reasons patients want a labiaplasty

The anatomy of women’s labia is different from woman to woman. Women opt for surgery for a variety of reasons, including pain from twisting and tugging of the labia during everyday life. Many women complain of twisting or tugging noted when they have physical activity and/or pain or discomfort during intercourse. Labiaplasty may also benefit women that have chronic itching or irritation. Many women opt for surgery because they feel self-consciousness about their anatomy.

What does a labiaplasty do?

The goal of the procedure is to reduce the labia minora so that they don'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 twist, tug or fall out of a bathing suit.

How much does a labiaplasty cost?

The average cost of a labiaplasty in the United States is $3,453. Insurance companies do not pay for this procedure. The cost of a labioplasty at Epiphany Women’s Health is $2999.

Anesthesia for a labiapasty

Labiaplasty is a procedure that can be done under either local anesthesia with oral sedation or under general anesthesia. If general anesthesia is preferred, this would generate extra cost for the procedure.

Labiaplasty Procedure

Labiaplasty is a procedure that can be done under either local anesthesia with oral sedation or under general anesthesia. If general anesthesia is preferred, this would generate extra cost for the procedure.

The most common type of labiaplasty is the trim procedure, in which the extra tissue is removed and sewn up directly. Next in popularity is the wedge procedure, which maintains a natural border after a pie-shaped piece of tissue has been removed. Absorbable (dissolvable) sutures are used to close the incision.

Where is the surgery performed? Epiphany Women’s Health medical office.

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What are the risks of a labiaplasty?

The risks associated with labiaplasty include those of most surgical procedures, including bleeding, hematoma and infection. The most common complication is over-resection. While some women desire an aggressive reduction, this can result in chronic dryness, scarring at or near the vaginal opening and pain with intercourse. Long-term, very few women have complications. However, as with all surgery, scarring can cause pain and contracture of the tissue. This could cause chronic pain with every day life and/or specific pain related to intercourse.

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Recovering from a labiaplasty

Plan on taking a week off of work. During this period, plan on icing the surgical area with a cold pack sandwiched between your underpants and an elastic garment, like Spanx. Ice should be used for the first three days after surgery. Lying in bed or on the couch with your butt elevated will help reduce swelling and pain. Trim labiaplasty generally allows for a quicker recovery.

While most swelling is gone by 6 weeks, residual swelling may take three months to disappear.

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What are the results of a labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty typically results in “shorter labia” that no longer hang down below the level of the hair-bearing labia majora. Most patients who experienced symptoms from twisting and tugging of their labia generally find relief after surgery. According to multiple studies, labiaplasty surgery is associated with a high satisfaction rate of over 90 percent.

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When can I shower after getting a labiplasty?

Immediately after arriving home.

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When is it safe to work out after getting a labipasty?

Wait two weeks before running and or swimming. Weightlifting can start four weeks after surgery. If you’re a cyclist, you need to wait six weeks.

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When can I resume intercourse after getting a labiplasty?

Four weeks after surgery. However, complete healing of the body may take eight weeks. Therefore, common sense is prudent. If intercourse is uncomfortable, waiting another week or two would be beneficial to continue the healing process.