Benefits of Labiaplasty

We’ve come to a point at which we are more accepting of all body shapes and sizes. The leading motivations for having plastic surgery often revolve around bringing one’s best appearance to the forefront so they can feel most like themselves. There is no longer this tone around plastic surgery that says “everyone should look similar.” No, we’re all just out here ready to feel our personal best. Sometimes, to feel your personal best, you need to address something that no one but you really sees. In our Reno office, we speak with many women who are interested in the labiaplasty procedure. Not because they want to look a certain way but because they want to put an end to the discomfort that enlarged or elongated labia causes. We’ll discuss the procedure, along with its benefits, here. 

About Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure performed in the doctor’s office. Though it is minimally invasive and comfortable with local anesthesia, labiaplasty should only be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. This specialist may use one of two techniques to reduce the inner or outer labia. 

• Using the trim technique, trims along the edges of the labia and places dissolvable stitches.
• Using the wedge wedge technique, the surgeon removes a wedge-shaped segment of tissue from the labia. Tissue is secured with dissolvable stitches.

Labiaplasty can achieve outstanding results with minimal downtime. Patients may take prescription pain medication for a day or two, but many can manage comfort with an over-the-counter pain reliever that does not cause drowsiness and other side effects. The primary post-operative instruction to patients is to take it easy. Normal daily activities may gradually resume a week or two after surgery. Patients should refrain from sexual intercourse for three weeks or until cleared by the surgeon. 

Labiaplasty Benefits

Labiaplasty is not performed only to improve the appearance of the genitals. In fact, this is not one of the most common reasons women seek the procedure. What is gained through labial reduction is:

• Improved appearance in tighter clothing. Elongated labia often make it difficult, if not impossible, to wear a bathing suit or exercise clothing without self-consciousness. Without excessive tissue, a woman can feel much more comfortable and confident no matter what she’s wearing or not wearing. 
• Improved physical comfort. One of the common complaints women have about enlarged labia is that they get squeezed, tugged, and pinched by clothing. The tissue can get pulled during sexual intercourse, as well, causing noticeable pain. Reduction of the genital tissue eliminates these experiences. 

Though a lesser known plastic surgery procedure, labiaplasty is becoming increasingly popular as women realize they have a solution for the cosmetic and physical frustrations of enlarged external genitalia. To learn more about this procedure, contact our Reno office at (775) 826-4477.