Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is differentiated from other vaginal rejuvenation procedures as a frequently performed procedure. Vaginal rejuvenation is a broad term that encompasses many options. More and more women are benefiting from these treatments every day. Vaginal rejuvenation treatments are typically performed with devices such as laser, radiofrequency and ultrasound. Many of the vaginal rejuvenation procedures are applied for purposes such as tightening the vagina, reducing incontinence and eliminating vaginal dryness. The main difference between labiaplasty and vaginal rejuvenation treatments is that labiaplasty is a surgical procedure. In labiaplasty surgery, it is aimed to reduce the labia minora and make it aligned with the labia majora. Several different techniques can be used in this procedure, depending on the particular situation of the patient.

Labiaplasty has the feature of being one of the most applied aesthetic operations both in the world and in our country in recent years. It is a preferred procedure for both functional and cosmetic reasons. Lips in the genital areas of women may enlarge due to reasons such as birth, aging, genetic predisposition and sexual activity. In this case, labiaplasty surgery has various functional benefits. Many women who suffer from enlarged labia may experience difficulties during exercise, hygiene, urinary tract infection, sexual intercourse, and other activities. They may not be able to wear tight trousers, swimsuits and similar clothes easily.

What is Labiaplasty?

Surgical procedures applied to correct the lips in the female genital area for functional reasons or aesthetic concerns are called labiaplasty. With labiaplasty surgery, which can also be defined as genital lip aesthetics, the defects in the inner lips, which have lost their symmetry and sagging due to various reasons, are corrected in accordance with the anatomical structure. Women’s complaints about the inner lips of the vagina are usually caused by having a dark and drooping appearance. With the labiaplasty procedure, it is possible to reduce the inner lips and lighten their color, and the outer lips to have a younger appearance. When labiaplasty is performed with the right techniques according to the expectations and needs of the patient, very successful results can be obtained both functionally and aesthetically.

Why is labiaplasty done?

Labiaplasty can be used to make the outer lips of the vagina, called labia major, and the labia minor, that is, the inner lips under the outer lips, more functional and attractive. Generally, labiaplasty procedure can be used in patients whose genital inner and outer lips are drooping, larger or more asymmetrical than normal. Labiosplasty has many sexual, functional, psychological and hygienic benefits. When the patient is standing and the legs are in a closed position, the protrusion of the inner lips can be prevented by labiaplasty.

Although the external genital organs of women can have very different appearances, structurally normal-sized inner lips; It is possible to sag due to traumas experienced during vaginal delivery, rapid weight gain, multiple births and hormonal changes due to menopause. In this case, the outer lips cannot completely close the inner lips.

In addition, sagging may occur in women whose inner lips are of normal size from birth and who have never given birth, due to the decrease in subcutaneous fat tissue due to aging over time. In some women, one or both of the inner lips may be structurally larger than normal, or there may be an asymmetrical appearance.

The most important reason for women to apply for genital aesthetic procedures is that they are uncomfortable with the appearance of their external genital organs. In addition, the fact that the inner lips are larger than normal or drooping can cause problems such as irritation, chronic infection and hygiene in the genital area. As a result of a bulging image in the area, the person may face unwanted appearances in underwear, swimwear and clothes and may feel discomfort from this. This condition can also cause discomfort during activities such as sitting, walking, running, horse riding, cycling and swimming.

Who Is Labiaplasty Suitable For ?

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that is generally applied to reduce the skin folds surrounding the urethra and vagina and to remove deformations. Bending and pinching of excess skin can cause discomfort during exercise, physical activity, and sexual intercourse. Labiaplasty may also be performed for cosmetic reasons and as part of gender reassignment surgery.

By reducing the inner lips, it is prevented from protruding from the edge of the outer lips. It is important in terms of ensuring hygiene and protecting health, as excess tissue can make cleaning difficult and may harbor bacteria that may cause urinary tract infections.

Labiaplasty procedure can be applied to achieve a younger appearance after birth or after changes due to aging. It can be applied to correct labia minor and labia major asymmetry if one side is longer or has a different shape than the other. Self-confidence can be increased while wearing trousers, tights, swimsuits or bikinis that fit the body. In addition, labiaplasty can be supported to improve comfort and confidence in the appearance of the genitals during sexual intercourse.

labiaplasty;

• Having a feeling of pain caused by stretching during sexual intercourse,
• Decreased sensation during sexual intercourse
• Lack of self-confidence due to aesthetic concerns,
• Chronic local irritation
• Frequent recurrence of vaginal infections,
• Elimination of hygiene problems that occur during menstruation or after the need for toilet,
• The genital area is visible from the outside when tight clothes are worn,
• The genital area is visible from the outside when tight clothes are worn,
• Deflated, wrinkled or drooping outer lips,
• Presence of cuts and tear marks due to birth,
• Labiaplasty surgery can be applied in cases such as sagging of the inner and / or outer lips.

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that can be applied to women who have completed puberty and have genital aesthetic concerns. Since the hymen is 3-4 cm inside the vagina and the inner lips are outside the vagina, labiaplasty surgery does not damage the hymen. For this reason, it is also possible to perform labiaplasty surgery on virgins. Labiaplasty can be applied to women who have given birth or not.

Labiaplasty can be applied not only in cases where sagging of the inner lips negatively affects the quality of life of the person, but also in cases where labiaplasty has become a medical necessity.

How is Labiaplasty Performed?

Before the labiaplasty surgery, detailed interviews are made with the patient and their expectations and needs are clarified. Procedures such as local anesthesia, general anesthesia, sedation anesthesia or spinal anesthesia can be applied according to the patient’s request and the surgeon’s preference. In the procedure, which is completed in approximately 1-1.5 hours, the large and drooping lips are reduced and reshaped until they regain a normal appearance.

Different techniques can be used in labiaplasty surgery, depending on the patient’s demands, the condition to be corrected, and the surgeon’s views. The most commonly applied labiaplasty techniques include deepitelization, V plasty, Z plasty, laser labiaplasty, partial resection, upper pedicle reconstruction and lower wedge resection. Depending on the technique applied, excess tissue may be cut with a scalpel or laser. However, laser application may cause loss of sensation in the vagina during sexual intercourse in some cases. In order to avoid such situations, care should be taken to choose a plastic surgeon who is an expert in the field of vaginal aesthetics in cases where the laser method will be used in the labiaplasty procedure.

Since aesthetic skin and subcutaneous sutures are used during the surgery, there is no scarring after the surgery. At the same time, a rapid wound healing process is experienced due to the anatomical features of the region. In most of the patients, labiaplasty surgery is combined with clitoral hudoplasty.

What are the Types of Labiaplasty?

The labiaplasty procedure can be performed with many different surgical methods. Good results can be obtained with which method is applied in which patient; It may vary depending on the condition of the patient’s tissues, expectations, needs and the experience of the surgeon. The experience of the surgeon who will perform the application is also very important in choosing the labiaplasty technique. Main labiaplasty techniques; V plasty, Wedge resection, Z plasty, star labiaplasty, partial resection, laser labiaplasty and delamination technique.

Another issue that is as important as the inner lip structure of the person in the labiaplasty procedure is expectations. Although some women prefer a natural look, some women want a Barbie vagina applied. In this method, the inner lips are shortened as much as possible, and the skin on the clitoris is reduced as much as possible. By injecting oil into the outer lips, a more sexy appearance is achieved. Thus, as the outer lips completely cover the inner lips, the part called Venus cleft is seen in between. With Barbie vagina aesthetics, a smooth appearance is obtained as well as getting rid of the wrinkled appearance. Women become more self-confident because of the so-called Venus cleft. Since the vaginal lips are shortened, the feeling of pain during sexual intercourse also decreases.

What Are the Prices of Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty prices; It may vary depending on the technique applied, the type of anesthesia, the scope of the procedure, the clinic or private hospital where the surgery is performed, and the experience of the surgeon. If an additional procedure such as vaginoplasty will be performed together with labiaplasty, the price may differ.

Is Labiaplasty Permanent?

The results obtained with labiaplasty surgery are permanent. There is no regrowth of the removed tissues.  

It is also possible to perform vaginal tightening operations simultaneously during the labiaplasty operation. At the same time, it is possible to correct the wrinkles and folds on the clitoris if needed and requested by the patient simultaneously with the labiaplasty operation. If clitoral hudoplasty is not applied together with labiaplasty operation, the clitoris appears due to shortening of the inner lips and an aesthetically unpleasant appearance may be encountered. However, clitoral hoodoplasty is a procedure that requires knowledge and experience due to the anatomical features of the area to be applied.

There is usually no complication after labiaplasty surgery. In the first days following the operation, redness, tenderness or swelling in the vulva due to edema is considered a natural condition. It may be preferable to apply a cold compress to relieve edema. During this period, one of the most important issues to be considered is the dryness and cleaning of the vaginal area. Since the labium is a rich area in terms of blood supply, the healing process of the wound is very fast. Depending on the characteristics of the suture material used during the operation, the sutures may fall or be absorbed within 10-15 days. If there is no complication specific to the patient, the healing of the area takes place in an average of 30 days.

Patients should not swim in the sea and pool for 4 weeks after labiaplasty surgery, and should avoid activities such as horse, motor and cycling. Likewise, he should stay away from sports such as pilates and yoga, which includes stretching movements, using tampons and sexual intercourse. It is very important to use the medicines prescribed by the doctor regularly during the recovery period, and not to wear very hard fabric and tight trousers during the first month following the operation. Epilation should not be applied before full recovery is achieved.

Although there may be risks such as bleeding, opening of sutures and infection, as in every surgical procedure, after labiaplasty surgery, it is possible to minimize such risks if the right techniques are used.