Labiaplasty

What is Labioplasty?

Procedures performed to improve women’s genital area aesthetically and functionally are called vaginal rejuvenation procedures. Vaginal rejuvenation is an area in which women are very interested and there are many different procedures within this scope. Vaginal rejuvenation procedures are usually performed through devices such as laser, radiofrequency and ultrasound. Most of these procedures are performed for the purpose of tightening the vagina, eliminating vaginal dryness and reducing incontinence.

Labiaplasty is among the most frequently performed aesthetic procedures both in the world and in our country. Labioplasty is a procedure that can be performed for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Lips in the female genital area; It may grow over time depending on factors such as aging, sexual activity, birth and genetic predisposition. As a result, women may experience some difficulties during sexual intercourse, exercise and various other activities, and may even face hygiene and urinary tract infection problems. In addition, the resulting appearance may cause aesthetic concerns in women. She may not want to wear tight trousers, swimsuits and similar clothes.

Labioplasty is a surgical procedure performed to correct the labial lips in the female genital area for aesthetic concerns or functional reasons. Labioplasty, in other words genital area lip aesthetics; It is applied to eliminate the defects in the labial inner lips, which are sagging and whose symmetry is disrupted due to various reasons, in accordance with the anatomical structure.

Women often complain that their labial inner lips (labia minors) at the vaginal opening are dark and appear saggy. Thanks to the labiaplasty procedure, the labial inner lips (labia minors) are reduced and their colour becomes lighter, and the labial outer lips (labia majors) can be given a younger appearance. The labiaplasty procedure, planned and performed in accordance with the needs and expectations of each patient, provides extremely successful results both functionally and aesthetically.

Why is Labioplasty Performed? In Which Situations Is Labioplasty Required?

Labioplasty is one of the aesthetic procedures that provides many functional, sexual, hygienic and psychological benefits and is frequently used by women for many reasons (which we will list below):

• Labioplasty can be applied to make the outer lips of the vagina, called the labia major, and the labia minor, or inner lips, under the outer lips, more attractive and functional.
• In cases where the genital inner and outer lips are larger, more saggy or asymmetrical than normal, a labiaplasty procedure may be used.
• If the inner lips hang out when the patient is standing and the legs are closed, effective results can be obtained with the labiaplasty procedure.
• Women’s external genital organs can have very different appearances that may vary from person to person. At the same time, the inner lips are of normal size structurally; It may sag due to factors such as rapid weight gain and loss, trauma during vaginal birth, hormonal changes due to menopause, and multiple births. In this case, it is not possible for the outer lips to completely cover the inner lips and labiaplasty may be required.
• In addition, in women whose inner lips are larger than what is considered normal and who have never given birth, sagging may occur over time as a result of the decrease in subcutaneous fat tissue due to aging. One or both of the inner lips being structurally larger than normal or having an asymmetrical appearance are among the common reasons for applying for labiaplasty.
• Many women require genital aesthetic procedures due to their dissatisfaction with the appearance of their external genital organs. In addition, problems such as chronic infection, irritation and hygiene may occur in the genital area, especially when the inner lips are larger or saggy than normal. When a swollen appearance occurs in the area, the person may face an undesirable appearance in swimsuits, underwear and clothes. This condition, which can be aesthetically disturbing, can also cause discomfort during activities such as walking, sitting, horseback riding, running, swimming and cycling. Labiaplasty may be a suitable procedure to solve all these reasons.

What are the Common Reasons for Applying for Labioplasty?

Labioplasty surgery is generally preferred to have a better sexual intercourse experience and higher self-confidence. In addition, labiaplasty surgery, which helps relieve the feeling of embarrassment caused by deformity, provides many benefits. The main reasons for applying for labiaplasty can be listed as follows:

• Dissatisfaction with the appearance of the genital area and therefore loss of self-confidence during sexual intercourse
• Inability to wear clothes such as bikinis, tights, tight jeans or swimsuits easily
• Sagging inner lips prevent the penis from entering the vagina during sexual intercourse and pain is felt
• The genital area remains constantly moist, causing frequent vaginal infections.
• Undesirable situations such as urine touching the sagging inner lips and wet legs while urinating

Healing Process After Labioplasty

Women’s genital area is extremely sensitive and proper care is required. For this reason, patients who will undergo labiaplasty surgery should be informed in detail about both the operation process and the recovery process after the surgery. Paying attention to these factors not only ensures a rapid and healthy recovery process, but also helps reduce any negative effects on the patient’s comfort. The points that need to be taken into consideration and strictly followed during the recovery process after labiaplasty are as follows:

• During the healing process after labiaplasty, it is necessary to avoid long showers and dry the wound gently after each wash.
• To reduce pain and possible infection that may occur after labiaplasty surgery, medications such as antibiotics and painkillers prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly.
• Cycling, running and various other activities should not be started without doctor’s approval. Starting these activities early may cause pressure on the wound and prolong the healing process.
• Tight underwear and clothing should be avoided as they may cause friction.
• Sexual intercourse should be avoided for at least six weeks.
• The hygiene of the surgery area must be completely ensured and infection must be prevented.
• Cleaning the toilet should be done from front to back. Otherwise, you will cause infection of the wound area.
• It should be preferred to use hygienic towels instead of tampons for a few weeks after the surgery.

Things to Pay Attention to After Labioplasty

Being careful about the things to consider after labiaplasty ensures a healthy recovery process and better results from the surgery. Things to consider after labiaplasty are listed below:

• It is recommended to rest for the first three days after labiaplasty surgery. Usually on the fourth day, patients can go to work. However, if it is necessary to be in a busy working environment, it is necessary to return to work at the end of the first week to prevent wound healing from being delayed.
• The patient may begin to feel pain after the effects of the painkillers given during labiaplasty surgery wear off. During this process, the patient’s comfort can be ensured by using painkillers prescribed by the doctor.
• In order for the healing process to occur quickly and healthily, prescribed antibiotic pills and ointments should be taken and applied regularly.
• After labiaplasty surgery, dressing needs to be done in the morning and evening. The number of dressings should not be increased with the view that a rapid recovery will be achieved. Otherwise, undesirable situations may occur, such as excessive dressing negatively affecting the granulation and epithelialization process in the tissue. There is no need for dressing after each urination.
• Dissolvable stitches are used in labiaplasty surgery. The stitches on the skin loosen and fall off over time. The stitches under the skin dissolve and disappear within three months. For this reason, lumps and swelling may be felt under the skin in the first months.
• It is recommended to start massaging the inner lips two weeks after labiaplasty surgery. In this context, a five-minute massage should be done every morning and evening for 3 months. Otherwise, it is important to massage regularly every day, as the inner lips may become effaced and disappeared.
• During the first 24 hours after labiaplasty surgery, ice compression should be applied for 20 minutes every 2 to 4 hours.
• Swelling may occur in the surgery area in the first week following labiaplasty surgery. Oedema, which usually starts to decrease after the first week, decreases significantly (80%) by the end of the first month. However, a period of 3 months is usually needed for the oedema to disappear completely.
• During the first few days after labiaplasty surgery, minor staining may occur on underwear.
• On the 4th day following the surgery, patients can shower while standing. However, care should be taken not to allow soap to come into contact with the surgical area and not to spend too much time in the shower.
• Sexual intercourse should not be attempted for 6 weeks after labiaplasty surgery, and vaginal tampons should not be used during this period.
• Patients can start walking 10 days after labiaplasty surgery, and doing Pilates after 14 days (but avoiding movements that will cause tension in the surgery area). It is usually necessary to wait 3 weeks for running and other sports. However, since the recovery process is different for each patient, it is important to get doctor’s approval before starting sports and physical activities.

What is Labial Outer Lip (Labia Major) Sagging?

Sagging of the outer labia of the vulva (labia major) is an aesthetic problem that women frequently experience. Each woman’s labial outer lip size and symmetry are different. Although both the inner and outer lips grow significantly at the beginning of puberty, an increase in size and symmetry may occur due to reasons such as aging, pregnancy, hormonal changes and vaginal birth. The outer lips may sag due to genetic predisposition, dramatic weight loss, or simply aging.

Labial outer lip sagging may cause some symptoms. However, mild sagging may not be noticed. As the amount of sagging increases, the person may face some difficulties in daily life. Women with sagging outer lips complain of significant swelling in the genital area when they wear swimsuits, especially in the summer months. Abnormalities in skin smoothness, hygiene problems, pain and various discomforts can be listed among other conditions caused by sagging outer lips.

Although aging is generally the main cause of sagging labial outer lips, it can also occur due to various factors such as multiple or traumatic births, sudden weight changes, incorrect waxing practices and innate genetic factors. There are also many different factors that cause sagging of the outer lip, and these situations generally occur due to damage to the fat and muscle tissue in the area.

How to Correct Labial Outer Lip (Labia Major) Sagging?

For the treatment of labial outer lip sagging, different methods determined specifically for the patient can be applied. The method to be applied may vary depending on the degree of sagging and the age of the person. In cases where sagging is excessive, a surgical procedure may be considered. If the sagging is not too much, filling injection into the outer lips may be sufficient.

Within the scope of labial outer lip sagging surgery, in other words labiaplasty, the sagging tissue can be removed from the area using various techniques. Labial outer lip sagging surgery (labioplasty) can be performed under general anaesthesia, local anaesthesia and sedation. Labial outer lip sagging surgery is performed by removing excess sagging tissue, which is perceived as a cosmetic defect, and stitching the remaining tissues. In this way, it can be ensured that the labial outer lips have a more aesthetic appearance and fulfil their functions.

How is Labiaplasty Performed?

Before labiaplasty surgery, the patient is examined in detail, the patient’s expectations are learned and her needs are determined. Depending on the patient’s request and the surgeon’s evaluation, the surgery can be performed under different anaesthesia techniques such as local anaesthesia, general anaesthesia, spinal anaesthesia or sedation anaesthesia. The procedure is completed in approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. With labiaplasty surgery, large and sagging labial lips are reduced and reshaped until they take on a normal appearance, providing a more aesthetic appearance.

Different techniques can be used during labiaplasty surgery, depending on the patient’s expectations, the degree of the problem to be corrected, and the surgeon’s preferences. The most commonly used labiaplasty techniques can be listed as deepitelization, Z plasty, Vplasty, partial resection, laser labiaplasty, upper pedicle reconstruction and lower wedge resection.

On the other hand, laser application may in some cases cause loss of sensation in the vagina during sexual intercourse. In order to avoid such undesirable situations, it is important to choose an genital aesthetic surgeon (plastic surgeon or gynaecologist) who specializes in vaginal aesthetics for the labiaplasty procedure in which the laser method will be used.

Aesthetic stitches are used in skin and subcutaneous stitches during labiaplasty surgery. Therefore, there is no scar left after the surgery. The anatomical features of the area generally accelerate the healing process. Labiaplasty surgery is combined with the clitoral hoodoplasty procedure in many patients.

As mentioned before, many different surgical methods can be applied in the labiaplasty procedure. To obtain the best results, which method will be applied to which patient; It may vary depending on the patient’s expectations and needs, the condition of the patient’s tissues and the experience of the plastic surgeon who will perform the surgery.

Another factor that is as important as the labial inner lip structure when planning the procedure is the patient’s expectations. Some women prefer a natural look. Some patients prefer Barbie vaginal aesthetics. In this method, the patient’s inner lips are shortened as much as possible, and the skin on the clitoris should also be reduced as much as possible. Fat injection can be applied to the outer lips to provide a sexier appearance. In this way, the outer lips completely cover the inner lips, creating an appearance referred to as the “Venus’s cleft”. Barbie vagina aesthetics can eliminate the wrinkled appearance in the area and achieve a smooth appearance. Venus’s cleft appearance helps women become more self-confident. In addition, thanks to the shortening of the labial lips, less pain is felt during sexual intercourse.

Who can undergo labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty procedure can be used to reduce the skin folds surrounding the urethra and vagina and to eliminate deformations in the area. As the excess sagging skin in the area becomes twisted and compressed, it causes the person to feel discomfort during exercise, sexual intercourse and physical activity. In addition, the labiaplasty procedure may be used for cosmetic reasons and as part of gender determination surgery.

Reducing the inner lips with labiaplasty surgery is a condition that prevents the outer lips from protruding beyond the edge. Excess tissue can make cleaning difficult and can harbour bacteria that can lead to the development of urinary tract infections. It may be possible to ensure hygiene and protect health with labiaplasty.

The labiaplasty procedure can be used to achieve a younger appearance after birth or after changes that occur due to aging. When one side is longer than the other or has a different shape, labiaplasty can be performed to correct labia minor and labia major asymmetry. You can easily wear tights, trousers, bikinis or swimsuits that fit your body and increase your self-confidence. The labiaplasty procedure can also be used to make the appearance of the genital organ more comfortable and safer during sexual intercourse.

People and situations where labiaplasty surgery can be performed are listed below:

• Feeling pain during sexual intercourse due to tension
• Decreased sensation during sexual intercourse
• Aesthetic concerns cause lack of self-confidence
• Occurrence of chronic local irritation
• Frequent recurring vaginal infections
• Elimination of hygiene problems that occur after using the toilet or during menstruation
• When tight clothing is preferred, the genital area becomes prominent and noticeable from the outside
• Restriction of a person’s movements during various activities
• Wrinkled, dull or sagging outer lips of the vagina
• Presence of tear marks and cuts due to birth
• Sagging of the inner and/or outer lips

Labiaplasty procedure can be applied to women who have genital aesthetic concerns and have completed puberty. The hymen is 3-4 cm inside the vaginal opening and the inner lips remain outside the vagina. Therefore, there is no possibility of damage to the hymen during labiaplasty surgery.

How Long is the Recovery Time for Labioplasty Aesthetics?

The healing process of labiaplasty aesthetics may vary from person to person depending on whether the doctor’s recommendations are followed or not. In the first 3 days of the surgery, the edema in the vagina gradually resolves and the healing process begins. Generally, after the 3rd week, all complaints such as stinging, burning and pain in the vagina decrease.

In the period after labiaplasty surgery, a complete healing process begins after the 3rd month, and the inner lip tissue of the vagina is fully shaped after this process. Generally, full recovery occurs in the 6th month.

How Long Does Labioplasty Surgery Take?

Labiaplasty surgery is usually completed within 1-1.5 hours. However, this duration may vary depending on the scope of the procedure for the individual patient and whether the labiaplasty surgery is combined with another procedure.

When Does Oedema Go Away After Labioplasty?

Oedema may develop after labiaplasty, especially within the first 24 hours, and this oedema may persist for several days. It is also possible for the oedema to be different in both lips. Sometimes widespread oedema formation covering the labia majora may be observed. Oedema develops due to the wound healing process and can usually be seen to decrease rapidly starting from the first week after surgery.

It is recommended to apply ice compresses for the first 3 days after labiaplasty surgery to reduce oedema. It is possible to reduce the risk of oedema and bleeding by applying ice compresses every half hour.

How Should Care Be After Labioplasty Surgery?

There are usually no complications after labiaplasty surgery. However, in the first days after the operation, redness, swelling and tenderness in the vulva due to oedema are considered normal. Cold compress can be applied to relieve oedema.

After labiaplasty surgery, due attention should be paid to the dryness and cleanliness of the vaginal area. The labium is an area extremely rich in blood supply. Accordingly, a rapid recovery process may occur. Depending on which suture material is preferred during the operation, the stitches fall out or dissolve within 10 to 15 days. If no complications occur for the patient, the area usually heals within 30 days.

For 4 weeks after labiaplasty surgery, it is necessary to avoid swimming in the sea and the pool, and avoiding activities such as horseback riding, motorcycling and cycling. Additionally, sports such as yoga and Pilates that involve stretching movements, sexual intercourse, and the use of tampons should be avoided.

During the recovery process, the medications prescribed by the doctor should be used regularly. Again, tight and very stiff fabric trousers should not be worn in the first month following labiaplasty surgery. Another issue that should be taken into consideration is not to perform epilation before complete healing occurs.

As with every surgical procedure, risks such as bleeding, stitches opening and infection may occur after labiaplasty surgery. However, such risks can be minimized if the correct techniques are used and the procedure is performed by an experienced doctor who specializes in his field.