If you find portions of your external genitalia — namely your labia minora and majora — to be unsightly or uncomfortable, a labiaplasty may offer the perfect solution. This vaginal rejuvenation technique is relatively simple and can restore your confidence and your comfort in the most intimate of areas.
At McHugh Plastic Surgery, Dr. Thomas McHugh specializes in helping patients achieve their cosmetic goals from head to toe using both surgical and advanced laser technologies. As part of our extensive suite of cosmetic treatments, we offer labiaplasties to women who want to rejuvenate and refresh the look or feel of their vaginas.
If you’re considering a labiaplasty, here’s what you should know.
A labiaplasty is a procedure in which Dr. McHugh trims or reshapes the “lips” of your vagina, namely your labia minora and labia majora. The labia minora refer to the folds of skin that surround your clitoris and vaginal opening, while your labia majora are the hair-bearing outer lips.
There are many reasons why our patients opt for a labiaplasty, but most reference a displeasure with tissue that appears too large or interferes with clothing or sexual intercourse.
For example, if you have excess tissue in your labia that gets pulled into your vagina during intercourse, the discomfort can have a serious impact on your sex life. By the same token, this same excess tissue may twist or tug around clothing, again causing discomfort.
Some women complain of labia that peek through their bathing suits, while others are displeased with a labia minora that hangs below their labia majora.
What’s important to note here is that women’s labia come in all different sizes and shapes, and what may be a disproportionately large labia for you, may not be for another. The bottom line is that it’s your body and you know what does, and doesn’t, feel comfortable or look appealing.
If you opt for a labiaplasty, Dr. McHugh performs the procedure on an outpatient basis using anesthesia to ensure your comfort. During the procedure, Dr. McHugh trims away the excess tissue in a way that aligns with your goals, which you both thoroughly discuss beforehand.
Once he’s finished and he sutures the incisions, you’re free to return home. You should plan on taking it easy for about a week after your procedure and address any discomfort with over-the-counter medications and plenty of icing.
In most cases, you’re free to return to your normal activities after a week, but you’ll need to avoid using tampons and having sex for 4-6 weeks to allow time for your tissue to fully heal.
If you have more questions about a labiaplasty or you’d like to explore your options in vaginal rejuvenation, please contact our office in The Woodlands, Texas, to set up a consultation.
