Enlarged labia minora can be an embarrassing and uncomfortable condition for younger and older women alike. Some women find their labia enlarge due to pregnancy, childbirth, and aging, while for others, long labia minora are hereditary.
Though the appearance of the labia varies widely and having long or multiple folds of labia minora is both normal and natural, many women prefer smooth labia majora that don’t visibly sag or droop. If the appearance of this sensitive area makes you feel overly self-conscious about your body, you have the option to reduce the size of tissue surgically.
What Is a Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a simple cosmetic procedure in which a qualified surgeon removes excess skin from the labia minora. There are both aesthetic and hygienic reasons for labia surgery. Many women opt for this procedure as part of a mommy makeover or as a standalone surgery to improve the look of protruding or asymmetrical labia folds.
The goal of labia reduction surgery is to shorten the labia minora so they don’t hang below the labia majora, which is the part of the vagina where pubic hair grows. Dr. Gerth may perform a labiaplasty on a woman who is self-conscious about vaginal lips being longer than the other, or, more frequently, to reduce the size of both labia so they no longer pull, chafe, or cause embarrassment.
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How Labiaplasty Improves Women’s Lives
Labia reduction is an increasingly popular surgical option among women who would prefer their labia minora to be smaller or thinner. While there is an obvious cosmetic benefit to this surgery, there are also several practical reasons women choose this procedure, including pain from tugging and twisting of the labia during physical activities or sexual intercourse, as well as feeling awkward when wearing swimwear or other tight-fitting clothes.
Some women with larger-than-average labia have health and hygiene issues that affect unire flow or the useof tampons. If you are experienced these frustrating problems, Dr. Gerth can resolve them through his surgical knowledge and compassionate approach to patient care.
We find most women who seek vaginal rejuvenation with labiaplasty are not hoping to achieve a specific look; their primary motivation is to feel more confident in intimate moments, at the beach, or when changing clothes and showering in the locker room of their gym.
The Labiaplasty Procedure
Labiaplasty is an outpatient surgery that takes approximately an hour to perform, and takes place under sedation. Dr. Gerth takes a very individualized approach to labia surgery, based on each woman’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals.
During the procedure, Dr. Gerth trims excess skin and reshapes the labia minora to the patient’s preferred shape and size, so the inner lips of the vagina tuck up neatly within the outer lips. He will take great care not only to preserve labial sensitivity, but to make incisions that are as small and unobtrusive as possible, so any scarring will be virtually undetectable after complete healing. Often, the natural wrinkles and folds of the labia minora tissue do an excellent job of hiding scars from a labiaplasty surgery.
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Labiaplasty?
The best labia surgery candidates are non-smokers in good overall health who have realistic expectations for what they hope to achieve. During a consultation with Dr. Gerth, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your medical history, the procedure, and the recovery process in detail.
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. Beyond tis, there is no special preparation you need to be concerned about in the days leading up to your labia surgery, other than eating a balanced diet, exercising, staying hydrated, and getting at least eight hours of sleep a night.
Adult patients frequently wonder if they can get a labiaplasty even if they have not had children. In most cases, the answer is yes. Many women on the younger side of adulthood, in their 20s and 30s, who are dancers or gymnasts seek this procedure to feel confident in close-fitting leotards and bodysuits. However, if you are planning to have children, you may want to wait to get surgery until your family is complete.
What to Expect After a Labiaplasty
Plan to rest and let your body recover for at least a few days after your surgery. If you experience swelling or bruising, you can apply cold compresses. Dr. Gerth will send you home with post-surgical instructions, including when to schedule follow-up visits that will allow him to evaluate how well your healing process is progressing.
After labia surgery, most patients can return to work in about three to five days, and resume exercising in about a week, with caution. Avoid sexual intercourse, wearing tampons, or tight clothing that places undue pressure on the labia for at least six weeks.
If you’re worried about a labiaplasty affecting your sexual function, rest assured it should have no impact on sensitivity or tissues or sensation. Many women find the self-confidence boost that accompanies their newly reduced labial tissue can even help improve their experience and overall enjoyment in intimate moments.
You should be able to see your results within four to six months of your surgery, once your incisions have healed fully. Most patients find they continue to be satisfied with the benefits of their labia surgery results even as they age, thus creating a positive image and self-esteem for years to come.
Labiaplasty Surgery in South Florida
Dr. Gerth and his surgical team understand your labia are a sensitive topic. However, we firmly believe you should never feel ashamed to ask about getting a labiaplasty if you feel the appearance of your labia is hindering your ability to be fulfilled, happy, and confident. Our ultimate desire for all our labiaplasty patients is to improve their quality of life by allowing them to forget this area of their body was ever a self-esteem issue for them.
Dr. Gerth uses the latest surgical techniques and advancements to provide outstanding outcomes for patients throughout the greater Miami area at his state-of-the-art practice. He is excited to use his talents to help his patients look and feel their best every day. Contact us today to schedule your labiaplasty consultation and look forward to what this approach can do for you.