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Labiaplasty

Talking with anyone about your most intimate areas can be uncomfortable and even embarrassing. However, if your inner or outer labia (sometimes incorrectly called the vagina) are impacting your quality of life, the caring, approachable board-certified plastic surgeons at the Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery are ready to help. They offer labial reduction surgery, also called labiaplasty, in Ann Arbor, MI, to reduce physical and emotional discomfort associated with large or elongated labia.

Labiaplasty Candidates

Women of all ages who are in good health may be good candidates for labiaplasty.

This procedure corrects any of the following concerns that are usually due to genetics, childbirth, or menopause:

• Loss of volume in the outer labia (labia majora)
• Inner labia that hang outside of the outer labia
• Discomfort during activities such as bicycling, horseback riding, aerobic exercise, and intercourse
• Labia that are not symmetrical in length, shape, or size
• Pain or self-consciousness when wearing yoga pants, swimsuits, tight jeans, and other fitted clothing

Can Labiaplasty Be Performed With Other Procedures?

Labiaplasty may be performed as part of a mommy makeover to rejuvenate multiple areas affected by pregnancy and childbirth with a single surgery and recovery period. Other procedures frequently performed with labiaplasty include:

• Tummy tuck
• Liposuction
• Vaginoplasty
• Breast enhancement

Intended Result

Labiaplasty reshapes and reduces the labia or plumps the outer labia for enhanced comfort and improved self-image.

Procedure Description

Our surgeons typically perform labiaplasty as an outpatient procedure in our state-of-the-art operating suite. This procedure may be performed using local anesthetic with sedation or general anesthetic depending on your preference.

The 2 most commonly used labiaplasty techniques are:

• Trim labiaplasty involves removing excess skin and tissue with an incision along the outer edge of the labia.
• Wedge labiaplasty reduces the labia by removing a V-shaped area of tissue from the center portion of the labia and then suturing the sides together. This technique maintains the natural edge of the labia and sensation along this delicate area.

Your surgeon may use fat transfer to restore volume to the outer labia using excess fat collected with liposuction. Incisions are closed with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed later.

Recuperation and Healing

After surgery, the labia will be tender and swollen for 2 to 3 weeks. Applying ice packs and soaking in a sitz bath as directed can help minimize these side-effects. Sutures typically dissolve within 2 weeks and do not need to be removed.

Patients are usually ready to return to work in 2 to 3 days. Avoid the use of tampons, intercourse, and thong underwear for about 4 to 6 weeks

Insurance Guidelines

Labiaplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure and is not covered by insurance. The patient is responsible for payment.

Your Next Step

At the Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, we look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals. Please request your consultation with our easy-to-use online form or call our office at (734) 712-2323 to schedule your visit.

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