LABIAPLASTY

Improve Your Confidence and Sensation by Reshaping and Reducing the Size of Your Vaginal Lips in St. Louis

Excess labial skin might not only be aesthetically displeasing to some, but can also interfere with function and cause physical discomfort when you wear specific types of clothing or engage in certain physical activities. With this in mind, an increasing number of patients have been seeking vaginal rejuvenation treatments—a broad term that encompasses different types of vaginal corrective treatments. If the size or shape of your labia are having a negative effect on your self-image or quality of life, a labia reduction surgery or labiaplasty at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons can be the ideal solution for restoring both comfort and confidence. We can explain everything you need to know about having a labiaplasty with the latest technology and techniques available to patients in 2024.

Would you like to learn more about labia reduction surgery? For more advice about labiaplasty in St. Louis, contact West County Plastic Surgeons to request a consultation. Call 314-996-8800 or submit a contact form online for more details.

What Are the Causes of Asymmetrical or Enlarged Labia?

A person’s labia can change shape or become oversized due to such factors as aging, menopause and other hormonal changes, childbirth, weight fluctuations, sexual activity, and genetics. There really is no such thing as a “normal standard” when it comes to the shape and size of the labia. Every person’s vaginal lips are different to some degree—but some women may feel like the outward appearance of the skin of their inner labia causes them to feel self-conscious.

For some patients, the natural aging process causes their labia to elongate, become asymmetrical, or appear misshapen. For others, irregularities are congenital and appear during puberty. Regardless of the cause, irregular labia may be either cosmetically undesirable or functionally disruptive, interfering with hygiene or causing discomfort during sexual intercourse or when wearing certain clothing.

What Are the Top Benefits of Labia Reduction Surgery (Labiaplasty) in 2024?

Why would someone want a labiaplasty? Is it worth getting labiaplasty surgery?

Labiaplasty has numerous functional and cosmetic benefits. Excess tissue in the vaginal area can get twisted or pinched, resulting in discomfort or irritation—or increase the risk of urinary tract infections. It can also be challenging to wear certain types of clothes—such as yoga pants, workout pants, and swimsuits—if you have enlarged labia. Our team will work with you to determine what your goals are for labiaplasty surgery.

There are many reasons why people decide to have this surgery, including anything from improving functionality to altering the labia’s appearance. Some of the main benefits of labiaplasty include:

• Improved Comfort and Sexual Wellness: Labiaplasty can help you feel more comfortable by removing excess skin.
• Restoring a More Youthful Aesthetic: Labiaplasty can also restore a more youthful appearance after pregnancy or aging have caused changes.
• Reducing Asymmetry: Excess skin is removed, and the labia are reshaped to be more symmetrical.
• Boosting Confidence: Labiaplasty can improve your self-confidence when it comes to the appearance and feel of your genitalia.

How Does a Labiaplasty Work?

Are you wondering, “What is the purpose of a labiaplasty?” Read on for a deeper dive into the procedure.

Labia reduction surgery or labiaplasty is a type of vaginal rejuvenation treatment or female genital cosmetic surgery that reduces the size of the vulva for patients, either for cosmetic reasons or to provide relief for physical discomfort. This surgery changes the size and shape of the labia to make them smaller or address asymmetry. During a labiaplasty, the size of the labia minora (inner tissues of the female genitalia) is decreased so that they line up with the labia majora (outer part of the female genitalia). Different surgical techniques may be used to achieve this, depending on the needs and unique anatomy of the patient.

Who Is an Ideal Candidate for a Labiaplasty?

Have you been wanting answers to specific questions: “What qualifies you for a labiaplasty?” “Why would you need a labiaplasty?” or “How do you know if you should get a labiaplasty?”

If you have cosmetic or functional concerns about sagging or elongated labial skin, you may be considered a good candidate for labiaplasty. Ideal candidates are those who are in good health, who don’t smoke, and who have difficulty performing daily activities or feel insecure or self-conscious about the size and shape of their labia.

Our Approach to Labia Reduction Surgery (Labiaplasty) at St. Louis’ West County Plastic Surgeons

Why choose West County Plastic Surgeons for a labiaplasty? Here’s what you should know about our approach to this surgery.

At West County Plastic Surgeons, Dr. Terry Myckatyn and Dr. Marissa Tenenbaum understand the extremely sensitive nature of this issue—as well as the amount of courage required to seek help. We understand that there are a variety of complicated mental, medical, and emotional factors involved in every labiaplasty surgery. As a result, the staff makes every effort to help patients feel comfortable during their consultation, surgery, and subsequent office visits.

Drs. Myckatyn and Tenenbaum treat patients with the utmost care, and they have the surgical skill and experience to customize every procedure to achieve satisfying, lasting results. They can reduce the size of one or both sets of labia, adjust their shape, improve symmetry, or even repair them following injury, illness, or childbirth. Hundreds of women have trusted West County Plastic Surgeons to perform this delicate procedure, and most of them regret only that they had not elected to have the surgery sooner. The procedure is most commonly performed in the private office with the patient under local anesthesia.

How Do You Prepare for a Labiaplasty?

After you have decided that labiaplasty surgery is the best choice for you, there are other parts of the process to consider, such as planning and recovery.

“What do I need to know before labiaplasty?” is a frequent question heard at West County Plastic Surgeons, as is “How do I prepare for labiaplasty surgery?”

The factors that you consider before a labiaplasty can often be more complex and nuanced in comparison to other types of surgeries. Patients will need to be fully aware of the potential results and risks involved. We will ask about what you hope to accomplish from the surgery and tailor our plan for your labia reduction surgery accordingly.

Patients will have to avoid taking blood thinning medications for two weeks prior to the surgery. You will also need to avoid smoking for four weeks before and after labiaplasty. Prior to the surgery, it’s also recommended that you eat healthy, drink lots of water, and get enough sleep. Establishing healthy habits before the surgery can also help you to recover at a faster pace.

In preparation for this surgery, you will need to arrange with friends and family to get help around the house while you’re recovering, and stock up on food, prescriptions, and any other items you will need.

What Happens During the Labiaplasty Procedure?

Curious about what happens during the actual labia reduction procedure? During the reduction surgery, excess tissue is removed via carefully placed incisions to contour and improve symmetry of the labia minora or, less commonly, the labia majora. The incisions are then stitched closed. Following surgery, the labia are typically smaller in appearance, more comfortable, and more symmetrical. Fat transfer or fat grafting can be used in the labia majora to simulate a more youthful appearance as well.

What Is Recovery Like After Labia Reduction Surgery (Labiaplasty)?

Labiaplasty shortens the labia, and people have often called it a life-changing surgery. You’re likely to experience swelling that may persist for three to six months, but once the swelling goes down and you’ve fully healed, you will be able to see the full results. You will also experience some soreness when you’re recovering.

Importantly, your body will need time to rest and heal after labiaplasty.

To learn how to prepare for the procedure and what to expect afterwards click here to download our patient instructions.

Labiaplasty Aftercare: What Should You Do After Surgery?

How do you clean yourself after labiaplasty? What do you wear after labiaplasty? The genital region is very sensitive and generally requires special care following a surgical procedure.

When you’re in recovery after labiaplasty surgery, it’s best to wear loose clothing; take salt or sitz baths to reduce soreness; avoid exercise, riding bikes, running, or other strenuous activities; and not use tampons or have vaginal intercourse for four to six weeks. If you get back to normal life too quickly, the activity can cause too much pressure to be exerted on the wound and delay your healing process. Tight clothes or undergarments can cause too much friction against the wound.

There will be no need to adjust your lifestyle and activities after you have fully recovered from labiaplasty.

When Will You See Results from a Labiaplasty?

Most patients notice results from this procedure right away, although the results will continue to evolve in the following weeks to months. Keep in mind that while the changes are visible and long-lasting, the appearance of the area can be affected by natural aging, as well as future pregnancies and childbirth. For this reason, we recommend that patients wait to have the surgery until they are done having children.

Labia Reduction Surgery Basics for 2024

Anesthesia: Labiaplasty can be performed with the patient under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

Length of procedure: 45 to 60 minutes.

Estimated recovery time: Most patients can return to work within one week, but should avoid vigorous activities for at least 2 weeks and refrain from vaginal intercourse for 4 to 6 weeks. Visible bruising and swelling should begin to resolve within 2 weeks.

Side effects: Common side effects include bruising, swelling, and a few spitting sutures.

Before-and-after photos: Due to the sensitive nature of this procedure, we do not display online photos of the results.

Which Cosmetic Procedures Can Be Combined with Labia Reduction (Labiaplasty) Surgery?

Labia reduction surgery is often combined with procedures for the breasts and body, which can also experience changes due to aging, pregnancy, and childbirth. Options include the following:

1. Breast augmentation (augmentation mammoplasty). Patients who desire larger breasts or a more rounded shape to the upper part of the breast may choose to undergo breast augmentation.
2. Breast Lift (mastopexy). This procedure is ideal for patients who are experiencing changes to their breast position due to pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations. It can restore a perkier, more feminine, and youthful elevation to the breasts.
3. Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty). Frequently, patients wishing to improve the contour of their abdomen debate between a tummy tuck and liposuction. Some individuals can be good candidates for either procedure, depending on their goals. An abdominoplasty is best for people with loose skin and lack of abdominal muscle tone who have undergone significant weight loss. The procedure is also ideal for women who are dissatisfied with their shape after having had children and are looking for a "mommy makeover."

There are also options for enhancing other areas of the body, such as an arm lift, total body lift, or lower body lift. Combining several of these procedures to address pregnancy- and birth-related changes is commonly referred to as a Mommy Makeover.