Should i get labia surgery

Same goes if things like wearing underwear or a bathsuit, walking, running, biking, or even sitting are painful or irritate or chafe the vulvar skin. Some folks are born with longer labia, but Dr. Heather J. Furnas, FACS , notes that childbirth and simply getting older can also result in labia elongation, making the procedure necessary later in life. For a sense of comparison: The same data shows that about , people get rhinoplasties nose jobs a year, and , people get breast augmentations boob jobs each year.

You should be in good health before going under the knife. While some vulva owners elect to have a drastic reduction in labial length, if the labia are over -resected, or too much skin is removed, it can prevent the labia from doing their job: protecting the vaginal opening. As a result, it may become easier for things to get inside the vagina and throw of the pH balance, explains Dr.

This could result in more vaginal infections. So folks who elect to get the procedure because their OG labia were getting twisted, tugged, or tearing will find relief, says Dr. Furnas says. In addition to taking off work and making sure your loosest panties are laundered and ready for wear, you should get plenty of sleep, eat healthy, and drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the procedure.

There are two main types of procedures to address the labia minora: edge resection and wedge resection. Both of which are usually done under anesthesia. Wedge resection maintains the original labial edges by cutting wedge-shaped slivers of skin out of the center of the labia minora, bringing the remaining skin together with dissolvable sutures.

In fact, Dr. Furnas says the labia will be pretty sore and swollen after. Din advises folks to take at least 3 to 7 days off work.

Most doctors will prescribe antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and anti-inflammatories to reduce pain. The ASPS notes that you can also reduce pain and swelling by laying with your bottom elevated to reduce swelling. While most swelling will be gone after 6 weeks, residual swelling may take 6 months to disappear, according to the ASPS. Din says anyone considering a labiaplasty needs to know there are other options for either altering the length of their labia, or how they feel about the length.

A few options below:. Watching indie, queer, and alternative porn, which are known for featuring more body and vulva types, may help you realize how normal your vulva really is, she says.

Let your pubes grow out. Trying out a new hairstyle may help you feel more confident about your vulva. This is not that surprising given female genitals are still considered taboo. But these questions can be addressed through research. Our latest study shows although women are pleased with how their genitals look after labiaplasty, their self-esteem and general sexual confidence do not improve. This sort of information is vital to help women weigh up whether labial surgery is the right option for them.

Labiaplasty has become increasingly popular over the last years in Western countries, including in Australia. From to , the number of these procedures more than doubled from to 1, in public patients across Australia. These numbers do not include women undergoing procedures in the private sector, for whom we have no national data. Although there is a common misconception teenagers are the age group most interested in labiaplasty, women are most often aged between 25 and 34 when they undergo surgery.

Although there are physical or functional reasons for having labiaplasty discomfort participating in sports like cycling or during sexual intercourse , most women do it due to reported unhappiness with their genital appearance. In this procedure, the excess part of labia minora is removed and sutured so that it is symmetrical with the labia majora.

In this procedure, a partial thickness wedge is removed from the thickest part of the labia minora. The submucosa layer tissue beneath a mucous membrane must be left intact by removing only a partial thickness.

This procedure gives the vagina a natural look after the surgery as well, preserving the wrinkled edges. There are several other techniques for reducing the labia minora, and all these techniques have certain advantages and disadvantages. If you are considering a labiaplasty, the key to ensure appropriate outcomes is to make sure you are going to a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in this procedure.

Labiaplasty is an outpatient surgery. The procedure can be performed within an hour, either individually or with other cosmetic surgery. It can be performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on the treatment plan discussed with your plastic surgeon. The genital region of females is very sensitive and requires proper care in general. So, when undertaking a procedure like a labiaplasty, there are some post-operative instructions you need to be aware of before having the procedure.

You should avoid long showers and should pat the wound dry every time after washing. The antibiotics prescribed by the surgeon should be taken to reduce pain and inflammation, which can be present after the procedure Riding bikes, running and other physical activities will need to be avoided until you have been released by your plastic surgeon.

Premature return to the activities can exert pressure on the wound and will unnecessarily delay the healing process. You should not wear tight clothes or undergarments as they cause friction against the wound. Also, you cannot indulge in sexual intercourse for at least four weeks. Labiaplasty has functional and cosmetic benefits. Most women undergo surgery to reduce the excess labia which twists and turn and causes pain and irritation.

Others want to restore their youthful look after childbirth or aging. Though the reasons are numerous, you should seek a board-certified plastic surgeon that understands the medical, mental and emotional factors of a procedure like a labiaplasty. The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

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