Labiaplasty Procedure
Enlarged labia minora are often a cause of embarrassment and discomfort. This condition can affect both younger and older women.
Labiaplasty, also known as a labia reduction surgery, is a wonderful procedure that reduces the excess skin from the labia. Labia surgery is usually performed for not only aesthetic reasons, but also for hygienic reasons. More women are seeking to have this done as part of a mommy makeover package or simply to improve the appearance of long or asymmetrical labia folds. Young ladies who are dancers or gymnasts are also interested in labia reduction. This can be an embarrassing issue, butis easily addressed in less than an hour with the help of Dr. Lynam.
Labia Reduction Video Testimonials
Labiaplasty Procedure Case Study
How Does Labiaplasty Improve Women’s Self-Esteem?
Many women feel self-conscious about their labia peeking out or visibly bulging through underwear or a swimsuit. Women may also feel physical discomfort when wearing yoga pants, during sexual intercourse or sitting on a bicycle seat. Removal of excess labia tissue through labia surgery allows the inner lips of the vagina to sit tucked up neatly within the outer lips.
Labia reduction is a highly safe and effective procedure to reduce the size of the labia minora by making the labia smaller, thinner, more comfortable, and very natural-looking. Labiaplasty,or labia surgery, can help to improve both a woman’s appearance and self-esteem. There should be no change in sensitivity or sexual function following a vaginal lip reduction.
Labia surgery is the most commonly performed vaginal rejuvenation procedure, and it can relieve symptoms women experience from twisting, pinching, and tugging of the labia. We find most women who get the procedure are not looking to achieve the “perfect vagina.” Instead, they just want to feel more comfortable in intimate situations, when changing clothes or showering in the locker room of their health club, and when wearing form-fitting lower body garments.
Reasons Women Want a Labia Reduction Surgery?
Though many of our patients turn to labia reduction for cosmetic reasons, there are also several practical and functional reasons women opt to get labia surgery. These include pain from chafing and tugging of the labia when running, riding a bike, doing yoga, or during intercourse, as well as itching, irritation, and self-consciousness at the gym or the beach. Sometimes, the extra labial tissue gets stuck to a woman’s inner thigh when undergarments aren’t holding it in place, which causes discomfort. Additionally, many women find their large labia make satisfactory hygiene difficult by interfering with urine flow or causing them to have difficulty inserting a tampon successfully. If you are having any of these issues, contact our clinic to schedule your labia surgery consultation with Dr. Lynam.
What Does a Labiaplasty Do?
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Labiaplasty?
A few weeks before your surgery, you will need to stop taking any blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs, to minimize your risk of bleeding. Other than that, there is no special preparation you need to be concerned about in the days leading up to your labia surgery, other than eating well, exercising, drinking plenty of water, and getting at least eight hours of sleep a night.
Women often ask us if they are still qualified for a labia reconstruction surgery even if they have not had children. Generally, the answer is yes. In fact, we frequently see younger patients who are dancers or gymnasts expressing interest in the procedure, so it is quite common even for women without children. However, if you are planning to have children, you may want to wait until you have completed childbearing to get the procedure.
The Labiaplasty Procedure
The labiaplasty procedure is usually done on an outpatient basis, takes one hour to perform, and takes place while the patient is under sedation. Most patients opt to have their labioplasty in the comfort of our state-of-the-art Richmond, Virginia office under local anesthesia and oral sedation if desired.
Techniques for Labia Surgery
The labia trim method will not only reduce the overall size, but can address the darker pigmented area surrounding the tissue. The trim technique will allow Dr. Lynam to achieve a greater labia reduction than the wedge technique. Typically, the trim method also has a slightly shorter healing time.
At Richmond Surgical Arts, we understand your labia are a sensitive subject and area to discuss. However, you should never feel embarrassed or ashamed about wanting to improve your life with this procedure. If your labia are negatively affecting your quality of life in any way, it is perfectly reasonable for you to want to get labia surgery.
Our ultimate desire for all our labiaplasty patients is to allow them to forget this area of their body was ever a problem for them. The surgery has a high satisfaction rate, and most of our patients are very happy they have taken this step to improve their self-esteem.
Can Labiaplasty Be Combined With Other Cosmetic Surgical Procedures?
Recovering From Labiaplasty
Your labia may be swollen, bruised, and sore for several weeks following surgery. The application of an ice pack on a 20-minutes-on, 20-minutes-off schedule for the first 24 hours helps reduce swelling. Any remaining swelling will resolve over the next four to six weeks. Apply antibiotic ointment to your incision several times a day for the first week following surgery.
Generally, it is a good idea to rest and let your body recover early on after surgery. Swelling can be managed with cold compresses, while itching and discomfort can be treated with witch hazel cooling pads. That being said, always ask Dr. Lynam before you apply anything to the surgical area, and be sure to have follow-up visits with himso he can assess how well your healing process is progressing.
Dr. Lynam uses dissolvable sutures to close your small incision, which should go away on their own over the next three to four weeks. After the stitches dissolve, the scar tissue will become firm before it softens after several months. Often, the scar from labia surgery blends very well into the labia minora tissue, which naturally has multiple wrinkles and folds. In fact, it might be so well hidden that your gynecologist may not even notice it.
After their labia surgery, most patients can return to work in about three to five days, and resume their normal fitness routine in about a week, with caution. You will also be able to drive a day or two after your labia procedure, provided you are not taking any narcotic medications that make it inadvisable for you to operate a vehicle.
After labia surgery, you may shower every day. Avoid sexual activity, tampons, or tight clothing that places significant pressure on the surgical area for at least six weeks. Once you have become sexually active again, it is important to be gentle for an additional month.
Labia surgery should not affect the sensitivity of your vagina. In fact, for many women, the enhanced self-confidence they achieve through their newly reduced labial tissue can actually helpimprove their sexual experience and sensation.
You should be able to see your final results within four to six months of your surgery, once your incision is fully healed. Most patients find that the benefits of the labia surgery results are long-lasting even as they age, thus creating a positive image and self-esteem for years to come.
At Richmond Surgical Arts, we provide a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures to help our patients look and feel their best. Vaginal rejuvenation is becoming the fastest-growing procedure in our practice. Labia surgery is a safe, effective procedure with both cosmetic and functional benefits. Dr. Lynam and his team of expert nurses take great pride in knowing they are helping make a difference for Richmond and the surrounding community of women bothered by this sensitive area.
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