Before pursuing any cosmetic surgery, it is important to do your research and spend plenty of time thinking about the pros and cons of the procedure. The same is true of labiaplasty. This procedure can be life changing for women who feel their labia are too long or too large, but it still surgery, and so there are precautions to be taken and risks to be aware of. Reviewing the following questions and answers about labiaplasty should help you make a more informed decision as to whether or not it's right for you.
What does the procedure actually involve?
There are some misconceptions about what actually happens during a labiaplasty. The labia are not removed or replaced. Rather, the surgeon removes some of the tissue around the edges or ends of the labia minora, which are the smaller, inner labia closest to the clitoris. After the tissue is removed, the edges are stitched, typically with dissolvable stitches. The result, once the patient heals, is smaller labia.
Will you be put under anesthesia?
This depends on your preferences and the extent of the procedure. Some patients do go under general anesthesia, especially if they need to have a more extensive operation performed. Other patients have the procedure done under local anesthetic and a sedative. If you prefer one approach to the other, let your doctor know. Recovery is typically faster if you opt for a local anesthetic and a sedative, but some people would rather be completely out and unaware during surgery.
What are the major risks associated with the procedure?
Labiaplasty is a pretty common procedure and most patients heal with no complication, but as with any surgery, there are some risks involved. Some patients experience a loss of sensation in the labia post-surgery. Others have scarring, and some deal with vaginal dryness as a side effect. Talk to your surgeon about these risks. They can be greatly minimized by working with an experienced surgeon, and by being realistic about the extent of your surgery. You're less likely to suffer dryness, for example, if you have only 10 mm of your labia removed versus 15 mm.
If you are unhappy with the appearance of your labia and you feel that they are too large or long, you can have them modified via a labiaplasty. Hopefully this article has given you the basics you need to know about the procedure. Gather other details from a local surgeon as you make your decision.
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