There is no such thing as a normal vagina or vulva, but some women may find that post-pregnancy and childbirth changes and enlarged or elongated labia minora prevents them from feeling confident and comfortable in bathing suits, clothing, or in intimate relationships. Concerns regarding the look or feel of the tissue around the vagina are best addressed with the common but not-frequently-talked-about procedure, labiaplasty.
At Sadove Plastic Surgery, Plastic Surgeons Dr. Richard Sadove to help women see labiaplasty as a common procedure that can improve quality of life and confidence for the right person. To learn more about this increasingly popular women’s wellness procedure, we encourage you to call us at (352) 234-3334. We’re skilled at discussing a variety of the intimate topics with the utmost discretion and sensitivity, and can address any unique labiaplasty question you may have.
What is Labiaplasty?
While vaginal concerns are best address with vaginal rejuvenation or vaginoplasty, labiaplasty is an aesthetically-driven surgical procedure that corrects elongated, enlarged or uneven labia minora . For most women, the labia minora are for the most part covered by the labia majora. In others, however, factors like genetics, aging and pregnancy can cause the inner lips to extend beyond the outer lips. Some women can experience discomfort and irritation with overly long labia minora, leading to discomfort in clothing, with sexual relationships, while other women may just be bothered by the appearance of the labia. Labiaplasty plastic surgery treatments can address these concerns.
Why Labiaplasty?
Even though this part of the body may not be visible to most individuals, it can impact several aspects of life. Discomfort with the appearance of the labia can make some patients feel uncomfortable showing that part of their body to their partner, impacting sexual relationships. Some women feel self-conscious about showing excessive labial tissue through tight clothing or swimwear. Elongated or enlarged labia minora can also be feel uncomfortable; for some patients, the large size of the lips can make otherwise simple activities such as exercising or bicycle riding uncomfortable and even painful.
The Benefits of Labiaplasty
Confidence in appearance and healthy function helps our patients look and feel their best every day, and this feeling extends to our patients’ professional, personal, and intimate lives. In addition to improved self-confidence, labiaplasty treatment brings:
- Greater comfort wearing tight or more revealing clothes such as bathing suits, athleisure wear, leggings, and more
- Less pain during intercourse and exercise
- Permanent results that last the rest of your life
Am I a Candidate for Labiaplasty?
It’s important to remember that everyone’s body is unique and that there are no “normal” looking labia.
As such, not every woman who thinks she needs labiaplasty should get one. Body dysmorphia as well as paranoia of what a “normal” vagina looks like can push patients to request labiaplasty when they don’t need it. Speaking with a trusted and experienced physician like Dr. Richard Sadove about the reasons why you’re considering the treatment and sharing your concerns is an important step in your treatment journey. Together, you and Dr. Richard Sadove can craft the right wellness strategy that ensures you reach your goals while retaining your individuality.
What Should I Expect During My Labiaplasty Surgery?
Surgical labiaplasty involves removing and repositioning of labial tissue. The labia minora may be excessive, asymmetric, or affected by scar tissue from childbirth; the tissue around the clitoris, called the clitoral hood, may be overly long or stretched also. These factors, as well as any other anatomic findings, are carefully considered during the surgical planning of a labiaplasty treatment. Given the sensitivity of the surgical area, the treatment requires high technical expertise, extensive training and experience of the surgeon, and great compliance with treatment instructions of the patient. Ensuring patients are fully prepared to undergo labiaplasty starts by building a close, trusting relationship with each patient.
At Sadove Plastic Surgery, your intimate wellness journey begins with your initial consultation, during which we want to hear all about you, your concerns, and your goals. After this, Dr. Richard Sadove performs a thorough examination, develops a customized treatment plan, and explains all available options to help you determine which approach will help you achieve your goals while fulfilling your needs.
In some instances of surgical labiaplasty, excess labial tissue is surgically removed in a length-wise manner along the free border of the labia minora. Another popular option is the wedge technique, during which a wedge of excess tissue is removed and the natural border of the labia minora remains intact, with the labial tissue becoming lifted and no longer excessive or bothersome.
Unlike other surgeries, this women’s wellness procedure is often conducted as an outpatient procedure and completed in about 1-2 hours. Dr. Richard Sadove commonly performs labiaplasty treatments in our luxurious, state-of-the-art office, using the help of relaxing laughing gas and injectable numbing medicine. In certain cases, Dr. Richard Sadove combines labiaplasty procedures with other treatments in the operating room and under general anesthesia. Dissolvable sutures are used to seal the surgical site, and patients return home to rest shortly after completion of treatment.
