All right, ladies, it’s time to talk about a not-so-comfortable subject: your vaginal health. Labiaplasty has been all over the news lately as the biggest up-and-coming procedure in plastic surgery. More and more women are feeling empowered to take control of their sexual health, including vaginal surgery for cosmetic or medical reasons.
Unsurprisingly, the media portrays the more “glamorous” or “shocking” aspect of labiaplasty: improved appearance. While this is a valid key reason many women seek out the procedure, to improve the appearance of their genital area and to increase their confidence, many other women choose the procedure for a different reason: to improve their overall comfort and quality of life. Could labiaplasty be your ticket to a more comfortable life? Here’s what you need to know.
What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure, usually performed by a plastic surgeon, to reshape and tighten the labia minora (the inner lips) in the genital area. During the procedure, the surgeon trims excess tissue and contours the labia to create a smaller, more aesthetically-pleasing labia minora. Labia come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, and these characteristics can change over time.
Even though the labia may be healthy and normal, some women find that their labia is longer than they’d like. Some are born with naturally large or elongated labia minora. Other women experience changes in the labia after pregnancy and childbirth, due to hormonal changes and stretching of the tissues. Women may find that their labia is longer or enlarged after giving birth to children.
Though the labia can change somewhat even after labiaplasty surgery, the results are considered permanent. It is recommended that women wait until they have completed their family to undergo the labiaplasty procedure. This helps ensure long-lasting results.
Labiaplasty for Physical Comfort
Women sometimes choose labiaplasty solely for cosmetic reasons and their own self-esteem, but most labiaplasty patients are also looking to increase their physical comfort with the surgery. An enlarged labia is not just a cosmetic issue, but a source of physical discomfort.
A large or long labia can rub, chafe, or bulge. Women who struggle with an enlarged labia often cannot wear fitted clothing without embarrassment and may even find doing so uncomfortable. Exercise can be challenging, since the labia may rub and chafe. An enlarged labia can also cause pain during sex and make intimate situations uncomfortable and embarrassing.
Labiaplasty can correct all of these issues and allow a woman to lead a more comfortable, active life. Labia problems affecting a woman’s sex life and ability to exercise or wear the clothing she wants can take both a physical and emotional toll, even affecting relationships in some cases. After surgery, most women feel much more confident and free to lead their preferred lifestyle.
The Recovery Process
Many labiaplasty patients are busy professionals or moms with young children. Because of this, some prospective patients are worried about the recovery process and how it might interfere with their everyday activities.
The good news is that the procedure is fairly straightforward and involves only about a week of initial healing time. Surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with oral sedation or twilight anesthesia, avoiding many of the downsides of general anesthesia. Patients are prescribed medications to make the recovery more comfortable.
Although most activities can be resumed within a week, sex and strenuous activity like exercise must be postponed for about 4-6 weeks. Women who work in physical jobs may need to take more time off from work, which is something to consider if you are interested in labiaplasty. However, most patients find the downtime manageable and worth the excellent results of the surgery.
Choosing Labiaplasty
If you’ve been thinking about labiaplasty but you’re more worried about comfort than aesthetics, don’t be put off by the fact that the procedure is typically performed by a plastic surgeon. The stigma surrounding plastic surgery is falling away and women are choosing to undergo surgery for a variety of reasons. If you want labiaplasty for cosmetic, physical comfort, or a combination of the two, your reasons are valid.
More and more women are learning about the physical benefits of the procedure and are using labiaplasty to improve their quality of life. If you want to find out if you’re a candidate for this popular procedure, then come to Aesthetic Surgery Center in Naples, FL for a consultation with Dr. William A. Ross, MD. Dr. Ross is a skilled and compassionate body surgeon who understands the delicate nature of this procedure.
To schedule your private consultation appointment with Dr. Ross in Naples, call (239) 594-9100. A labiaplasty could be your ticket to a more comfortable life!