Labiaplasty is the female esthetic genital surgery that reduces the size of labia minora (inner labia). It is performed when the patient feels discomfort or pain (tight clothes, sports, sexual intercourse …) but also the patient suffers from psychological issues due to elongated or deformed inner labia. Labiaplasty may be an esthetic, restorative and also functional surgery.
- Removes excess skin from inner labia.
- Simple and quick procedure.
- Local or general anesthesia
- Physical, psychological and sexual benefits.
LABIAPLASTY OVERVIEW
This information sheet is issued by Dr. Vincent Nguyen, board-certified plastic surgeon in Paris, familiar with labiaplasty procedures.
It provides all the information about the surgery, scars, recovery, before and after comparison photographs, Social Security coverage and the costs of labiaplasty surgery.
What is labia minora hypertrophy?
It is a condition in which the inner labia become elongated and longer than the outer labia.
On a standing patient, the inner labia protrude and sag out of the outer labia.
Inner labia hypertrophy is often bilateral with natural asymmetry (inner left labium more protruding than inner right labium), but it may be unilateral.
Patients describe inner labia as: too elongated, swollen, larger than outer labia or virginal hypertrophy.
What causes labia minora hypertrophy?
It usually starts at puberty: it is called juvenile hypertrophy.
It can also occur after childbirth or menopause. It is then called secondary hypertrophy or pseudohypertrophy and the treatment differs from juvenile hypertrophy.
In other cases, the patients suffer from deformed labia minora due to congenital defects.
What is the impact on labia hypertrophy on patients?
Patients who have labia minora hypertrophy feel discomfort or pain while wearing tight clothing, thongs, swimsuits, … or while practicing sports.
During sexual intercourse they may experience physical pain (due to large inner labia getting in the way during penetration), but also embarrassment (as they can’t get naked in front of a partner).
Hyperpigmentation is due to friction between inner labia and underwear.
In some cases, hypertrophy extends and makes folds on both sides of clitoris.
It also may be responsible for recurrent vaginal mycosis.
When can I have labiaplasty surgery?
Only adult patients, with no upper age limit, can undergo labiaplasty surgery.
Labiaplasty has no harmful consequence on sexual intercourse or childbirth.
LABIA MINORA REDUCTION PRINCIPLES
What’s the goal of labia minora reduction?
The goal of a labiaplasty procedure is to reduce the labia minora in size, to correct asymmetry if needed, and to reduce the folds on both sides of the clitoris.
Excess labial skin is removed so that nothing protrudes outside of the outer labia. The vulva appears smoother, more harmonious.
What surgical technique addresses the labia minora hypertrophy?
Many types of procedures are possible:
- Edge resection technique: resection of tissues at the edge of labia minora. The technique is simple and adaptable to all sizes and shapes of labia. It treats at the same time the hypertrophy and the hyper-pigmented and irregular labial edges.
- Wedge resection technique: triangular resection of tissues that respects the anatomy of inner labia near clitoris.
- Other methods: Chinese method (fenestration technique), …
THE STAGES OF GENITAL LIP SURGERY INTERVENTION
BEFORE LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE
- Two preoperative consultations with a board-certified plastic surgeon will be conducted.
- Before and after comparison photographs will be taken.
- Preoperative instructions are as follow:
- Quit smoking at least one month before the surgery and up to 1 month after the surgery to avoid any complication or necrosis risk.
- Discontinue any anti-platelet or blood-thinning medication 15 days before the surgery.
LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE
- It is generally performed under local anesthesia with IV sedation but it may also be carried out under general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia or only local anesthesia.
- The procedure lasts about 30 to 45 minutes.
- At the end of the procedure a sterile dressing pad will be disposed in the underwear
- Dr Vincent Nguyen uses the last innovative techniques and performs the procedure on both labia himself.
The result is obvious after a month. The vulva has a fresh, harmonious and youthful look. Scars are almost unnoticeable after 2 months.
AFTER LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE
- Patients may go home the same day.
- You may experience little bleeding for 2 or 3 days.
- Sterile dressing pad will be disposed in underwear.
- The procedure is not painful. Only light painkillers will be prescribed.
- Bruising and swelling appear and subside within 2 weeks.
- It is recommended to use intimate hygiene soap twice a day.
- It is recommended to wear large clothes (skirt or loose pants).
- Sexual intercourse may be resumed after 6to 8 weeks.
- Usually no need for downtime. Patient can resume their regular activities the same day.
- Follow-up consultations with Dr Vincent Nguyen will be scheduled.
LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE: PRICE AND COSTS
- Part of the expense of labiaplasty may be covered by Social Security or health insurance companies in case of reconstructive surgery.
- The procedure won’t be covered by Social Security or Health Insurance Company in case of esthetic surgery.
- The cost may vary depending on the patient, on other combined procedures (labia majora procedure, G spot lipomodelling, …), on the location where the procedure will be conducted and other related expenses. The costs may vary from … to … (find all the costs on this website).
- Make sure to find a board-certified and competent plastic surgeon with experience in labiaplasty, who will evaluate your needs, discuss your expectations and your options to achieve the best result.
LABIA MAJORA LIPOFILLING FAQs
What other procedure may be combined with labiaplasty?
It may be associated with any labia majora procedure, either in reducing or in volumizing their size (lipomodelling).
It may also be combined with a clitoral hood reduction (hoodectomy), to reduce excess tissue around the clitoris (that often gives an impression of clitoral hypertrophy), or with a clitoris lift.
G spot lipomodelling, surgical or lipomodelling vaginoplasty and hymenoplasty may also be combined with a labiaplasty procedure.
Are there sensitivity issues after labiaplasty?
No, there is no reduced sensitivity issues after labiaplasty surgery.
Does labiaplasty interfere with sexual gratification?
No, it doesn’t. Labiaplasty may improve your sexuality as your inner labia doesn’t interfere.
May reduction labiaplasty cause problems during sexual intercourse?
When performed by a competent plastic surgeon, reduction labiaplasty won’t cause any problem during sexual intercourse. Other than the esthetical benefit, this surgery aims at getting rid of sexual discomfort during penetration.
Some cases of dyspareunia (painful penetration) have been reported after reduction labiaplasty. These cases are very rare and are due to aggressive resection and correction.
What other surgeries may be combined with nymphoplasty?
Nymphoplasty may be combined with:
- Labia majora lipofilling to restore the vulva’s trophicity
- Labia majora reduction in case of hypertrophy
- Hymenoplasty
- G-spot augmentation
- Any other esthectic surgery procedures
May hypertrophy that goes up the clitoral hood be treated?
Yes, hypertrophy of the clitoral hood which is the due to redundant labia minora on either side of the clitoral hood may be treated.
May I practice sports after nymphoplasty surgery?
As the swelling may be important after the surgery, it is advised to avoid sports activity for 3 weeks.
What kind of clothes and underwear should I wear after nymphoplasty surgery?
You should wear loose-fitting clothing and underwear (dress, skirt, loose pants …) the week following the surgery, to reduce painful friction.
