All you need to know about labiaplasty

All you need to know about Labiaplasty

The article helps people understand what is Labiaplasty procedure and explore why one might have to undergo the procedure. Next it talks about the steps that a surgeon might take while performing the procedure. Further down the possible complication of are covered to make the reader aware about what might go wrong. At the end the article covers various post procedure cares a person must take in order to get the desired results and avoid any complications.

What is labiaplasty?

Also known as labioplasty or labial reduction, labiaplasty is a procedure done to alter the inner labia and the outer labia which is the skin surrounding the human vulva. This surgery is generally sought after by women who either have an intersex or congenital problem or those who wish a change in the appearance of their vagina. These women have a significant variation in the size, colour and the shape of their labia due to childbirth, accident or ageing.

What makes you a good candidate for labiaplasty It was found in a survey of the Journal of Sexual Medicine in 2008 that 31% of women undergo this procedure to correct some functional defect of their labia, 32% went for this to correct functional impairment with intentions of aesthetic corrections as well while the rest and highest number of them underwent this procedure for cosmetic purposes alone.

A woman's external genitalia is known as vulva and it consists of outer labia and inner labia, the vagina, clitoris and urethra. The size, shape and the colour of a woman's labia vary with sexual arousal and can increase three to four times in diameter as compared to their original size. Due to the weight of the ornament attached, the genital piercing can also change the symmetry and size of the labia.

What to expect?

Before any procedure is done, a complete consultation is required in which the patient's medical history and their expected results from the procedure are discussed in detail. Along with that, the step by step process involved in the labiaplasty procedure is discussed. This might get a little uncomfortable for some women, but the experts- doctors, technicians and nurses are very professional and aim at making them feel at ease.

Contraindications in labiaplasty

The labiaplasty surgery is contraindicated by women who have unrealistic expectations from the surgery. These women should be sent for psychological help or counselling or even be excluded from the surgery. This procedure is contraindicated for women who also have an ongoing gynaecological disease which may be either a malignancy or an infection. Also, women who smoke tobacco and are not ready to quit must not undergo this procedure.

Sex reassignment Surgery

In these cases when a male is undergoing surgery to reassign his sexuality to a female, labiaplasty is the second stage of a vaginoplasty operation. In these transgender patients, labiaplasty procedure is generally performed after two to three months of the vaginoplasty surgery. In this surgery, a clitoral hood and labia minora are created with the help of labiaplasty techniques.

Post-Operation Care

1. Usually, patients are able to go back home on the same day as the surgery as the pain is minimal. There is no requirement of using a vaginal packing, although, a sanitary pad can be used for comfort.

2. In the early stages of recovery, swelling is normal due to the use of anaesthesia that is injected into the tissues and causes edema or swelling.

3. Regular care of the reduced labia is important during the early stages of recovery. The reduced labia must be clean and hygienic. The topical antibacterial ointment is provided by the clinic to avoid bacterial infection and must be applied two to three times every day for the first four days of the treatment.

4. The first post-surgery visit to the doctor's clinic is to be done in the first week of the surgery to check on the recovery process, a possibility if infections and also, to see if there is a development of hematoma (accumulation of blood outside of the labia vascular system).

5. If the progress in the recovery process goes normally, the woman can return back to physically non-strenuous activities three to four days after the surgery.

6. It is advised by the doctors not to wear tampons or tight clothing such as jeans and leggings.

Also, the patient must abstain from having sexual intercourse for the first four weeks postsurgery.

7. Complications due to labiaplasty are generally very uncommon but some bleeding, infection, under correction, overcorrection, poor wound healing and labial symmetry. Sometimes due to overcorrection and under correction, a revision surgery might be required.

Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labiaplasty https://www.drkoneru.com/procedures/body/labiaplasty-san-antonio-tx/ http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginoplasty-and-labiaplasty-procedures#1