What is a labiaplasty?

Many women are born with enlarged labia minora which make them feel uncomfortable with physical daily activities. The enlarged labia minora also embarrasses them during sexual activity. The appearance of the Labia Minora changes due to aging, trauma, or childbirth. Many younger and older women have Labia Minora (inner lips) that are too large and unsightly. Unilateral or bilaterally enlarged labia minora can occur before or after childbearing and can cause the following problems in a woman’s life:

• Pain from labia minora rubbing up against panties and jeans. Labia minora causing unsightly bulge visible when wearing bathing suit and accidentally hanging out of bathing suit leading to embarrassment.
• Elongated labia minora causing deviation of urinary stream with urine not directly entering toilet but soiling buttocks and legs.
• Elongated labia minora interferes during sexual intercourse due to being pulled and dragged into the vagina leading to unnecessary discomfort and embarrassment.

You can choose exactly how they want your labia minora to look after the procedure. Either a trimming or modified wedge resection of the hypertrophied tissues of the labia minora will make the edges of the labia look more natural and smooth.

The term labiaplasty or Labia Minora reduction refers to a procedure that reduces the length of the labia minora. It is the most commonly performed female genital plastic surgery procedure and it can relieve symptoms women experience from twisting and tugging of the labia.

Dr. Prinya experienced in this surgical field as he has recently accomplished a fellowship of cosmetic gynecology from the American Board of Aestheic Gynecology.

 

Variations of Labia Minora and Types of the Operations

Radial Elongation of Labia Minora ⇒   "pie wedge" resection of full thickness tissue

Thickened Labia Minora ⇒  Wedge resection of full thickness submucosa

Ruffled Variant ⇒   Series of small Wedge resection along the length of Labia

Funnel-like Labia Minora ⇒ Edge-Trim resection or wedge resection with release of web at fourchette  

Double- or Unilateral Fold Variant ⇒  Linear Edge resection

 

 

Wedge Resection Technique

 

Before & After Photos

    

 

     

Wedge Resection/Unilateral Fold Excision              Wedge Resection

 

    

     

       Edge-Trim Resection                              Wedge Resection

   

   

     

          Wedge Resection                           Wedge Resection/Release of Fourchette

     

  

      

             Edge-Trim Resection                                          Edge-trim Resection

 

   Labia Majora Reduction         Edge-Trim resection            Wedge Resection

 

     

Wedge Resection/Clitoral hood opening                          Edge-Trim resection

 

    

    Wedge Resection                                            Labiaplasty/Clitoral hood reduction

 

   

Edge-Trim Resection/Clitoral Hood Reduction                         Wedge Resection

 

      

Wedge/Unilateral Linear Edge resection                     Wedge Resection

 

      

 

   Multiple Small Wedge resection                   Labia Majora Reduction

 

 

               Wedge Resection                                     Wedge/Bilateral Linear Edge resection  

   

b    

      

   

      Wedge Resection                                          Wedge/Bilateral Linear Edge resection  

      

 Wedge/Unilateral Linear Edge resection

    

   

                Edge-Trim Resection                                         Wedge Resection

Reasons patients want a labiaplasty

Women opt for surgery for a variety of reasons, including pain from twisting and tugging of the labia when riding a bike or during intercourse, itching and irritation, and self-consciousness.

Preparing for a labiaplasty

Patients need to avoid having period during and 2 weeks after surgery. Period delayed pills may be necessary. Patients can eat and drink 4 hours before having operation. 

What does a labiaplasty do?

The goal of the procedure is to reduce the labia minora so that they don't hang below the hair-bearing labia majora. A labiaplasty may be performed to reduce asymmetry when one is longer than the other, or, more commonly, to reduce the length of both labia so that the labia no longer twist, tug, or fall out of a bathing suit.

How much does a labiaplasty cost?

The cost of a labiaplasty is 20,000 THB. Clitoral hood reduction can be done without extra charge.

Anesthesia for a labiaplasty

Labiaplasty at clinic Dr. Prinya is done under IV sedation with local anesthesia. Patients usually sleep well during procedure. You have to refrain from drinking water or food for at least 4 hours prior to the procedure in order to decrease the risk of aspirating gastric contents during or after procedure.

Labiaplasty procedure

The most common type of labiaplasty is the trim procedure, in which the extra tissue is removed and sewn up directly. Next in popularity is the wedge procedure, which maintains a natural border after a pie-shaped piece of tissue has been removed. Extra folds of the clitoral hood can also be reduced at the same time. Closure is usually done loosely to reduce stich mark with quick absorbable sutures.

Additional Surgery:

♦ Clitoral Hood Reduction is a surgical method designed to eliminate excess skin located around the clitoris, and also to decrease the length and projection of the clitoral hood. The Clitoral Hood (also called Clitoral Prepuce) is a fold of skin that surrounds and protects the glans of the clitoris; it also covers the external shaft and develops as part of the labia minora and is homologous with the prepuce (foreskin) in male genitals. The clitoral hood is also important not only in protection of the clitoral glans, but also in pleasure, as it is an erogenous tissue. When the prepuce or clitoral hood is abundant or excessive, many women become bothered and feel self-conscious.

♦ Labia Majora Reduction (Labial Lift) is a Cosmetic Gynecology Surgery done mainly to improve the appearance of the Labia Majora. Many women are born with enlarged or sagging Labia Majora that make them feel uncomfortable with physical daily activities. The enlarged or sagging Labia Majora embarrasses them during sexual activity. Labia Majora can be enlarged with excess skin and tissue. It may be enlarged genetically, from wrinkles secondary to childbirth, or due to aging.

♦G-spot Augmentation is a procedure designed to enhance sexual gratification by intensifying stimulation of the G-spot. The G-spot in fact points to a region known as the Skenes glands. It is an area located within the anterior (or front) wall of the vagina, about one centimeter from the surface and one-third to one-half way in from the vaginal opening. Many women claim that pressure on this region of the vagina is highly sensitive and under the right conditions is extremely pleasurable if stimulated leading to orgasm during intercourse. This procedure is a non-surgical treatment that temporarily augments the Grafenburg spot and enhances sexual gratification in sexually active women with normal sexual functions. Effects last from 8-12 months. Results may vary — either effective or ineffective.

What are the risks of a labiaplasty?

In the first 2-3 days after the Labia Minora Reduction, Pain at/or around the surgical wound may be felt as soon as the anesthetic wears off, which is relieved by pain medications prescribed days. You should refrain from working to avoid more bruise and severe pain. Some bleeding usually occurs in the first few day and swelling will last for 1 week. The most common complication is over-resection. While some women desire an aggressive reduction, this can result in chronic dryness, scarring at or near the vaginal opening, and pain with intercourse. Healing problems are more likely to occur with a wedge procedure, particularly if the patient is exposed to substances that cause blood vessels to shrink. Inflammation or infection after the surgery may cause complications such as rough wound edge, non-proportional Labia Minora (depending on your anatomical structure), wound deformation, suture mark (scar), or wound disruption leading to abnormal bleeding from the Labia Minora Reduction wound.

Recovering from a labiaplasty

Most patients take a week off from work, during which they can reduce swelling and pain by icing with a cold pack sandwiched between the patient's underpants and an elastic garment, like Spanx. This can be done "twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off." The patient can also lie with her bottom elevated to reduce swelling. Absorbable stitches will dissolve in 2-week time without need for removal.

Patients can resume wearing tampons or having intercourse after 4-6 weeks. Trim labiaplasty generally allows for a quicker recovery. While the most distorting swelling is gone by 6 weeks, residual swelling may take a few months to disappear.

What are the results of a labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty typically results in shorter labia that no longer hang down below the level of the hair-bearing labia majora. Most patients who experienced symptoms from twisting and tugging of their labia generally find relief after surgery. According to multiple studies, labiaplasty surgery is associated with a high satisfaction rate of over 90 percent.

Unsatisfactory results after the Labiaplasty

This surgery has limitations and cannot absolutely ensure results and satisfaction. The surgery may result to incomplete symmetrical of the Labia Minora or non-proportional Labia Minora depending on your former anatomical structure of Labia Minora. There are many other factors influencing the surgical result and satisfaction. In case of unsatisfactory results or complications, correction surgery may be performed as appropriate and possible. In this respect, you and the physician should come to discuss for the solution together.

The cost of a Labiaplasty (either Labia majora or minora) at Dr. Prinya's Clinic is 20,000 THB, including consultation, anesthesia, operation and medication fee.

What is a clitoral hood reduction?

Excess folds of the clitoral hood, or prepuce, can be reduced with a clitoral hood reduction. The procedure is most commonly done along with a labiaplasty.

What does a clitoral hood reduction do?

The extra folds can create a bulge that is exaggerated when the labia minora are reduced, and a clitoral hood reduction can improve the balance in appearance of the female genitalia.

Anesthesia for a clitoral hood reduction

A clitoral hood reduction is usually done at the time of a labiaplasty under either local anesthesia or under Intravenous sedation.

Clitoral hood reduction procedure

The excess tissue is marked according to the individual's anatomy. There is a wide variation in the shape and extent of folds. In some patients the excision is performed as a "Y" extension off the labiaplasty. Closure is usually done with absorbable sutures.

What are the risks of a clitoral hood reduction?

There is a risk of bleeding, hematoma, infection, nerve damage, under-resection or over-resection.

Recovering from a clitoral hood reduction

The recovery is primarily determined by the accompanying labiaplasty.

What are the results of a clitoral hood reduction?

In some patients with a heavy clitoral hood, a labiaplasty without a clitoral hood reduction can result in a top-heavy look. A clitoral hood reduction can lend balance to a labiaplasty in such patients. Clitoral hood reduction is generally performed with labiaplasty, which has a high satisfaction rate of over 90 percent.