About Labiaplasty

New Horizons Plastic Surgery, Dr. H. James Webb, FACS

Labiaplasty is cosmetic surgery performed on the female genitalia, either the labia majora, the outer labia, or the labia minora, the inner labia. Labiaplasty may include surgery to both the labia majora and minora, or only to one or the other. Sometimes, labiaplasty refers to any form of vaginal rejuvenation.

If you feel uncomfortable about the size or shape of your labia, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Webb to learn whether you might be a good candidate for labiaplasty at New Horizons Plastic Surgery.

Why Labiaplasty?

A number of issues may prompt the desire for labiaplasty, or cause distortion of the labia. Some of the more common labial issues are:

  • Too-large labia
  • Inelastic or sagging labia
  • Asymmetrical or uneven labia
  • Stretched labia
  • Discomfort in tight-fitting clothes
  • Discomfort when exercising or during sex

Labia surgery is often prompted by discomfort, either physically when wearing tight-fitting clothes, or discomfort with your appearance. Many women complain of visible bulges or irregularity when they are wearing a swimsuit or other tight-fitting clothing. The most common causes of labial discomfort or malformed labia are:

  • Childbirth
  • Aging
  • Weight loss
  • Weight gain
  • Congenital shape or size

Labia surgery can be safely combined with other types of plastic surgery, such as a tummy tuck or perineoplasty.

Types of Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is most commonly performed as labia minora reduction or reshaping. Labia reshaping is often used to correct asymmetry in the outer or inner labia. This may be required because of discomfort caused by the unevenness of the labia, or simply for aesthetic purposes.

Labia augmentation is used to treat loose or sagging labia majora which lack resilience or fullness. Often labia majora lose fullness as a consequence of aging or weight loss, so augmentation usually takes the form of lipoinjection.

Labia Reduction

Although the term labiaplasty is broad and covers any type of plastic surgery which alters the labia, labia minora reduction is probably the most common type of labia surgery performed by plastic surgeons. Although there is a wide variation in "normal" labia minora, women with very large labia may experience physical or emotional discomfort.

If you feel self-consciousness or physical discomfort due to the size of your labia, labia reduction may be a good procedure for you. Please contact Dr. Leo Lapuerta for a consultation to learn more.

Causes and Effects of Enlarged Labia

Enlarged labia minora can be congenital or due to stretching or damage caused during childbirth. Large labia minora may result in:

  • Discomfort in tight-fitting clothing
  • Discomfort when exercising
  • Discomfort during sex
  • Hygiene difficulties

Labia minora reduction is an important part of genital rejuvenation for many patients.

Some patients also experience enlarged labia majora, which may be congenital or due to weight gain. Because the labia create the contour of your vaginal area, they have the greatest impact on the appearance of the area when you wear a swimsuit, lingerie, or form-fitting exercise clothing. For this reason, reduction of the labia minora or the labia majora is often an included procedure for vaginal rejuvenation, and is one of the most common types of genital surgery for women.

Labiaplasty Procedure

Labiaplasty is virtually always an outpatient procedure which is performed under general or local anesthesia. While labiaplasty is not as common as other types of plastic surgery, like breast augmentation, it is gaining popularity across the U.S. and in other countries as women who have long experienced discomfort due to enlarged labia minora learn about this corrective option.

Recovery from labia reduction requires about five days, although sexual intercourse is restricted for 4-6 weeks. Some complications may occur, but they are comparable with complications of other major plastic surgery procedures.

Candidacy for Labia Surgery

Patients often ask whether they are candidates for a particular plastic surgery procedure. There are two parts to being a good candidate for a procedure. First, you should have an identifiable body issue that may be improved by the procedure. Second, you should be in good health to reduce the likelihood of complications.

The best way to learn whether you are a candidate for a procedure is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Webb to discuss your situation and the procedure, but the following are a few basic guidelines.

Discussing Your Goals

In certain ways, labia surgery is much like any other type of cosmetic surgery. In the past, women discussing their bodies openly has been taboo, so many women may feel uncomfortable discussing labiaplasty, even with a cosmetic surgeon.

Many patients come into our office and discuss portions of their hopes, but do not fully disclose their concerns about their appearances, and lose the opportunity to really look and feel the way they want to. It is important to understand that Dr. Lapuerta can only help you achieve your aesthetic goals if you discuss them honestly.

What Labia and other Genital Surgeries Can Correct

In seeking any cosmetic surgery it is important to have realistic and achievable goals for the procedure. If you do not understand the procedure, you may have unrealistic expectations which may lead to dissatisfaction even with a successful procedure.

Labia and other genital surgeries can correct:

  • Uneven or asymmetrical labia
  • Vaginal discomfort in tight-fitting clothes
  • Discomfort during sex or exercise
  • Elongated or stretched labia
  • Vaginal looseness

The most consistently-achieved results are improvement of the appearance of the vaginal area and reduction of discomfort. Sometimes women seek labia and other genital surgeries to improve sexual function. While this can be achieved, it is less certain.

The Healthy Candidate

To be a good candidate for labia surgery or other plastic surgery, a candidate should be in good general health. This means you should:

  • Be at or near your ideal weight
  • Have a generally active lifestyle and eat a balanced diet
  • Have good cardiovascular health
  • Not have a history of adverse anesthesia reactions
  • Not have an active infection or recent serious injury

Also, be sure to tell Dr. Webb about all medications and supplements you are taking, including herbal remedies, as some of these may increase your risk of certain complications.

The content of this page is for informational purposes only and shouldn't be taken as medical advice. If you need personalized medical advice, please schedule a consultation with New Horizons Plastic Surgeon Dr. Webb.