The cosmetic surgery industry is witnessing rapid growth to support people’s needs to refine their appearance. While previously, these procedures targeted the external appearance, specialists and doctors have devised beautification methods to alter and enhance the genitalia. Yes, you read that right! We understand that this revelation may be puzzling for many people. To resolve your apprehensions, this blog will take you through all there is to know about this bizarre yet beneficial procedure.
What is labiaplasty?
The objective of labiaplasty is to modify the size, shape, or appearance of the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) or labia majora (outer vaginal lips). Usually, it is done for aesthetic purposes, such as when dealing with issues such as labia that are long or not symmetrical, which may make people feel uncomfortable or self-conscious. The labia is surgically cut, and most of the redundant tissue is removed to obtain the desired look and size. The surgical technique might change according to the individual anatomy and aesthetic goals.
Who undergoes the procedure?
Women may opt to undergo this procedure for a variety of reasons, ranging from physical to psychological. Some of the reported reasons people opt for this surgery are as follows.
Psychological distress: For some people, the look of their genitalia is not good enough, causing them to feel disgraced, have low self-esteem, or even fear and sadness. Labiaplasty could solve these issues, and thus, people will feel psychologically relaxed.
Physical discomfort: Some people may have a feeling of discomfort or irritation due to the enlarged or asymmetrical labia, mainly when they are exercising, having sexual intercourse, or wearing tight clothes.
Aesthetic concerns: A lot of people desire to change the size, shape, or symmetry of their labia for cosmetic purposes. They might be the ones who are not comfortable with their genitalia and want it to be more beautifully shaped.
Post-childbirth changes: Pregnancy and childbirth can occasionally change the labia’s appearance, such as stretching or elongation. Some women decide to undergo labiaplasty to get back their pre-pregnancy genital look.
Genital abnormalities: Congenital abnormalities or irregularities of the labia may be present at birth and, in some cases, cause physical discomfort or affect urinary or sexual function.
What happens during the surgery?
Consultation
The first consultation with your surgeon will help decide the genetic area to be operated on, the goals of the surgery, and whether you are a suitable candidate for labiaplasty. The surgeon will investigate your medical history as thoroughly as possible, superficially exploring any previous operations, medications, allergies, and overall health. They will describe the procedure’s risks, gains, and potential outcomes to the patient.
Preoperative Instructions
Certain medications, including blood thinners and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, may be recommended to discontinue use. Fasting is advised several hours before the surgery for general anesthesia. Patients are also given instructions for genital hygiene before the surgery.
Surgical Procedure
The surgery begins with the administration of anesthesia to ensure the patient remains stable and comfortable. The patient’s vital signs will be monitored during the operation. One of the first steps surgeons undertake is to decide upon a suitable incision that will fit the patient’s condition and comfort. Some of the widely practiced techniques include:
- Trim Technique involves trimming excess labia minora tissue along the edge to achieve the desired size and shape.
- Wedge technique is where the bulk of the labia minora but the natural border is conserved.
- De-epithelialization includes removing the outer layer of the labia to make it look smaller while the tissue underneath remains intact.
The surgeon then decides which procedure to use and removes the excess skin using the chosen technique. Adequate efforts are made to perform a symmetrical job that improves the size of the labia. At the end of the procedure, dissolvable stitches are used to close the incisions. These threads eventually decompose independently without requiring a removal process.
Surgical recovery
Recovery process after labiaplasty surgery is taking care of pain and swelling that are expected to be over in 2 weeks. Keep the area clean and dry, apply prescribed ointments to stop the infection from spreading. Strenuous activities, heavy lifting and intercourse can be resumed after 4-6 weeks but should be done with care to avoid any injury. Swelling and bruising are seen initially and the majority of pain can be managed with prescribed pain relievers. Visits with the doctor after the surgery are a vital part of the healing process. While final results are usually visible after a couple of months as swelling disappears progressively, full recovery can take even longer.
Benefits
Labiaplasty can be the helping hand for those suffering from the physical discomfort or psychological distress due to the unequal or over-sized labia minora. By resizing or reshaping the labia via this surgery, discomfort during physical activities can be reduced, hygiene improved, self-esteem heightened and psychological distress can be eliminated due to related body image concerns. Furthermore, labiaplasty is a way to increase sexual satisfaction by reducing friction or irritation which may result from the intercourse. At last, the goal is to return the happiness, functionality, and body confidence in the intimately private settings, which ensures that the individuals will feel more comfortable and confident in their bodies.
Risks and complications
Labiaplasty is not different from any other surgical operation and it has risks and possible complications such as infection, bleeding, scarring, and nerve damage. The Nerve tissue may be damaged which may cause sensitivity change or numbness. Disfigurement, dissatisfaction with physical appearance, or the requirement for repeated surgeries are also possible. Excessive removal of tissue may cause pain during intercourse or any other activity. Anesthesia induced adverse reactions are relatively uncommon, they do sometimes still happen. It is vital to discuss these risks so thoroughly with the surgeon and to follow preoperative and postoperative instructions carefully to minimize these risks and achieve the best results you can.
While labiaplasty remains a topic of debate and personal choice, it’s crucial to understand its implications thoroughly. Whether one chooses to undergo labiaplasty is a matter of fostering open dialogue, empathy, and respect for individual autonomy. Suppose you reside in Texas and want to get labiaplasty in Houston. In that case, it is essential to find a compatible surgeon who understands your expectations, fits your budget, is accessible, and makes you feel comfortable.