Labiaplasty and Female Genital Contouring

Labiaplasty surgery refers to reshaping the vulva, which includes the labia (outer lips and inner lips around the vagina). This procedure has become increasingly popular over the last few years as women are able to use the internet to become more informed about this very personal area of their bodies. Many factors can contribute to a woman having concerns about the appearance of, or functional problems with, her genital area. The most common area of concern for women are the labia minora, or inner lips, which may become enlarged with normal development at puberty or after childbirth, significant weight loss or due to menopause and aging. Patients throughout the Capital District of New York State, including Albany, Schenectady, Troy and Saratoga, trust New York Plastic Surgeon Dr. Lucie Capek to perform their labiaplasty surgery. Many patients also travel from New York City, Vermont, Massachusetts and beyond because of her compassionate and expert care.

Is Labiaplasty or genital rejuvenation surgery right for me?

If you are experiencing the following issues, labiaplasty surgery may be a great solution for you.

• The size of your labia increased dramatically with puberty and may be asymmetric.
• The size of your labia has changed or stretched with pregnancies, menopause or aging and you would like vaginal rejuvenation.
• You have cosmetic concerns and are self conscious of the size and shape of your labia.
• You are feeling moderate pain or physical discomfort during sexual activity.
• You are experiencing stress urinary incontinence and wish to combine labiaplasty with a corrective procedure.
• You have other changes of the vaginal or vulvar area that bother you, like deflation or volume loss of the outer labia or extra skin around the vaginal opening.

As with any procedure, patients should be in good health and have reasonable expectations of their surgical outcome. Dr. Capek will also want to make sure that you are done having children since pregnancy and delivery will potentially have an adverse effect on your surgical results.

Before Your Procedure

A consultation with Dr. Capek is essential to discuss your individual goals and create a unique plan to meet those goals. Before your labiaplasty procedure, Dr. Capek will examine you, review your medical history and answer any questions you may have about the surgery. It is important that you have a clear understanding of any genital contouring procedure you are considering before it is performed. Understanding what to expect from your labiaplasty procedure is a major factor in a positive outcome.

Your Procedure

Dr. Capek performs labiaplasty surgery either in her office under local anesthesia and light oral sedation, or at an accredited outpatient surgery center under deeper sedation. A general anesthetic is not required. She uses both the edge trim technique as well as the wedge excision technique, depending on your individual anatomy and preference. Additional contouring of the clitoral hood can be done at the same time. In older women, or weight loss patients, contouring of the mons pubis or outer labia can also be done. This may include removal of excess fat or skin, adding volume to deflated outer labia with fat grafting, or excess skin removal in the perineum. As with all of Dr. Capek’s procedures, every procedure is customized to your individual needs and goals.
During your surgery Dr. Capek with initially numb the area with a local anesthetic. If your procedure is done in the office, we will first apply a numbing cream that will make the local anesthesia injection less uncomfortable. The excess tissue is then removed and special instruments are used to stop all bleeding before dissolvable stitches are used to close the wound. Additional procedures such as fat transfer may be done at the same time.
In summary, female genital enhancement surgery can be performed for many different areas of the vulva and vaginal area, including:

• Reduction of the labia minora
• Reduction or augmentation of the labia majora
• Remodeling of the clitoral hood

After Your Procedure

After labiaplasty surgery, there may be some initial bruising and swelling. Medication will be prescribed to control any discomfort you may experience during the healing process. Our plastic surgeons recommend using an ice pack between your legs when resting for the first 2 days. You will be applying an antibiotic ointment for a couple of weeks and using warm water to cleanse you vaginal area each time you urinate. You should limit your walking and standing for 2-3 days. Most patients are able to return to work within five to seven days. Strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse should be avoided for about 6 weeks. Results from labiaplasty surgery are meant to be long-lasting, though significant weight gain or pregnancy can alter the results. Results vary by patient.

What are the risks?

Serious complications from labiaplasty surgery are uncommon and satisfaction rate is high. Dr. Capek is an experienced, board-certified surgeon who has had extensive experience in labiaplasty surgery. However, all surgeries do carry some associated risks. These may include, but are not limited to, hematoma (bleeding under the skin) or seroma development, infection, changes in sensation, painful scarring and allergic reactions. You can help to diminish the risks of surgery by following Dr. Capek’s specific aftercare instructions.

For more information, schedule your consultation appointment with Dr. Capek today!