Labiaplasty isn’t only for aesthetic purposes. If you’re experiencing discomfort while exercising or during intercourse, Farris Fahmy, MD, FACOG, Dr. Rachel Roesner, DO, and Dr. Ravikumar, MD, FACOG at Aster OB/GYN on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, may recommend labiaplasty to relieve your pain. If you’d like to learn more about labiaplasty, call the New York office or book an appointment online.
Labiaplasty is a form of vaginal rejuvenation that reduces the size of your labia minora, which are the inner folds that surround your vulva. The goal of surgery is to reduce the size of the labia minora so it doesn’t hang below your labia majora, which are the outer folds of skin covered in hair that surround your labia minora and vulva.
There are a number of reasons you may decide to have labiaplasty, including:
Whether you were born with a large or asymmetric labia minora or experienced an increase in the size of your labia minora after pregnancy or as you’ve aged, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner may be able to perform a labiaplasty to reduce the size.
The procedure may relieve itchiness and pain and allow you to feel less self-conscious in a bathing suit.
Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure that Dr. Fahmy and Dr. Ravikumar perform with local or general anesthetic. Once prepped, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner surgically remove the excess tissue and then sutures the incisions to stop bleeding.
While you may request that Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner remove as much tissue as possible, they are careful to remove just enough to improve the appearance and relieve discomfort, but not too much to increase your risk of developing vaginal dryness after labiaplasty.
The entire procedure takes about two hours.
Due to the nature of the surgery, you need about a week to recover from a labiaplasty. During that period, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner may recommend you use cold packs over the surgical area to reduce pain and swelling. Elevating your bottom also helps reduce swelling.
Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner recommend you refrain from using tampons or having intercourse for up to six weeks following labiaplasty.
While the swelling is usually gone within six weeks after the procedure, it may take up to six months for you to completely heal.
If you’re considering labiaplasty to reduce the size of your labia minora, Dr. Fahmy, Dr. Ravikumar and Dr. Roesner, as skilled and careful surgeons, can help. Call the office or book an appointment online.