What is Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is plastic surgery that is done on the folds (labia) of the female external genitals (vulva). This type of surgery may also be called vaginal rejuvenation.

You may have this procedure to reduce the size and length of the labia. This procedure can be done on the outer labia (labia majora) or, more commonly, the inner labia (labia minora). In some cases, both pairs of labia may be reduced and made equal in size.

You may have this procedure if your labia:

• Cause pain from tugging or twisting.
• Cause pain during sex, or while doing activities like riding a bike or exercising.
• Become irritated or itchy.
• Slip out of your underwear or bathing suit.
• Make you uncomfortable about your appearance.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical or psychological conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Any sexual problems you have.
• Your smoking history.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Removing too much tissue (over-correction), which may result in vaginal dryness, tightness, and pain during sex. This is the most common risk from this procedure, and it may require more surgery.
• Having an irregular size and shape of the labia, or the right and left labia being a different size.
• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reactions to medicines.
• Nerve damage and numbness at the incision site.
• Swelling.
• An incision breaking open and not healing properly (wound dehiscence).

What happens before the procedure?

Medicines

Ask your health care provider about:

• Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
• Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
• Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

Staying hydrated

Follow instructions from your health care provider about hydration, which may include:

• Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.

Eating and drinking restrictions

Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking, which may include:

• 8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
• 6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
• 2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.

General instructions

• If you are having sexual problems before the procedure, you may need to speak with a mental health counselor about what to expect after the procedure.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about shaving or trimming your pubic hair before the procedure. Most often, you will be instructed to remove your pubic hair one week before the procedure. Follow these instructions exactly.
• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for at least 24 hours after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.

What happens during the procedure?

• To lower your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap or a germ-killing solution.
• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
  • A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• The surgeon will mark the labia with a surgical pen.
• Part of your labia will be removed in one of the following ways:
  • Excess tissue from the labia may be trimmed with a surgical knife (scalpel).
  • A wedge of labia may be removed to reduce the size.
  • A central area of the labia may be removed to reduce the size.
• Your incision will be closed with absorbable stitches (sutures).
• Bleeding will be controlled with sutures or with a heating instrument (electrocautery).
• A bandage (dressing) that is like a sanitary pad will be placed over your vulva.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative during your procedure.

Summary

• Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that is done to reduce the size and length of the folds (labia) of the female external genitals (vulva).
• You may have this procedure if your labia cause you physical or emotional discomfort.

Labiaplasty, Care After

This sheet gives you information about how to care for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. If you have problems or questions, contact your health care provider.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Slight bleeding or fluid coming from your incision.
• Mild pain.
• Swelling.

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision.
• Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or more pain.
  • More fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Vaginal discharge or a bad smell.

Medicines

• Apply antibiotic ointment as told by your health care provider.
• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

Driving

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• Do not drive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative) during your procedure.

Activity

• For 4 weeks, or as long as directed:
  • Do not place anything in your vagina, including tampons.
  • Do not have vaginal sex.
  • Do not wear tight clothing, especially tight underwear.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

Bathing

• Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you may take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths.
• Use mild soap and water to clean your incision area as needed.

Managing pain and swelling

• To reduce pain or swelling, put ice on the affected area:
  • Put ice in a plastic bag.
  • Place the bag between your dressing and your underwear. Make sure your underwear holds the ice bag in place.
  • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.
• When lying down, put a pillow under your hips. This will help to reduce swelling.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. These can delay healing and increase the risk that your incision will open. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• To prevent or treat constipation while you are taking prescription pain medicine, your health care provider may recommend that you:
  • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.
  • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.
  • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
  • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet foods.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have chills or a fever.
• You have redness, swelling, or more pain around your incision.
• You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision.
• Your incision feels warm to the touch.
• You have vaginal discharge or a bad smell coming from your incision area.
• You have vaginal dryness or pain during sex after 4 weeks.

Get help right away if:

• You have bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of applying firm pressure.

Summary

• For the first few days after labiaplasty, you may have some mild pain and swelling.
• For as long as directed by your health care provider, do not place anything in your vagina, have vaginal sex, or wear tight clothing.