Labia Reduction Surgery (Labiaplasty)

What Is Labiaplasty, and Why Choose Our St. Louis Practice?

West County Plastic Surgeons offers labia reduction surgery, or labiaplasty, for St. Louis women who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their labia. In some patients, the natural aging process causes their labia to elongate, become asymmetrical, or look misshapen. In others, these 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. During the reduction procedure, excess tissue is removed, improving the contour and symmetry of the labia minora or, less commonly, the labia majora. Following surgery, the labia are typically smaller, more comfortable, and more symmetrical. Fat transfer or fat grafting can be used to the labia majora to simulate a more youthful appearance as well.

At West County Plastic Surgeons, Drs. Myckatyn and Tenenbaum understand the extremely sensitive nature of this issue – as well as the amount of courage required to seek help. As a result, they and their staff make every effort to help their 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 under local anesthesia.

To find out if this procedure is right for you, contact our St. Louis office by phoning 314-996-8800, requesting your consultation online, or emailing us today.

Labia Reduction Surgery: What You Should Know

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

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

Before-and-after photos: Because of the sensitive nature of this procedure, we do not display online photos of it.

Complementary Procedures

Labia reduction surgery is often combined with other procedures, including 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. 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."

To schedule your consultation for labia reduction surgery, contact our St. Louis office by phoning 314-996-8800, requesting your consultation online, or emailing us today.