From conception right through to giving birth, the female body goes through a lot of changes in order to accommodate bringing a baby into the world. The vagina, in particular, is an area that undergoes a lot of change, including ongoing discomfort after the birth and also potential aesthetic issues.
Labiaplasty is becoming increasingly popular as cosmetic surgery for “vaginal rejuvenation”. This is because it directly addresses these issues and concerns by altering the shape, or even size, of the labia minora – this is the vaginal folds.
RELATED: Is Labiaplasty a Popular Procedure in the UK?
How does the labia change after childbirth?
Physical vaginal changes during a pregnancy are common, especially during the later stages of pregnancy, when pressure and swelling are more pronounced. This is due to increased pelvic blood flow, ensuring the baby is receiving enough nutrients from mum.
It is also normal for the vagina to become “longer” as the labia become softer and looser to prepare for childbirth.
As the baby moves through the birth canal, the vagina comes under a large amount of strain – inside and out. This strain and pressure can lead to the stretching and even tearing of the labia, and this can result in long-term displeasure in its appearance as well as physical discomfort.
What are the benefits of labiaplasty?
A labiaplasty procedure is an ideal approach for women to take if they wish to reduce the size of the labia after they have given birth. Those women who are struggling with pain and discomfort that excess tissue can bring, or have concerns about aesthetics, can benefit.
Improved health
There are several health benefits to a labiaplasty procedure. Following the recovery of the method of removing excess labial tissue. For instance, there is reduced pain and discomfort brought on by the catching or rubbing of the labia against underwear or during sexual intercourse.
Reduced discomfort
Following childbirth, a lot of women report discomfort due to friction brought about by excess labial tissue. By reducing the amount of labial tissue, friction is reduced, and discomfort is also greatly lessened.
RELATED: How Soon Can I Have Sex After Labiaplasty?
This procedure can also help women feel much more comfortable and confident when wearing tight clothing, exercising, having sexual intercourse and playing sports – among other things.
Improved cosmetic appearance
A lot of women may be looking to have excess tissue removed via a labiaplasty for aesthetic reasons. For example, they may want to achieve a neat, “tucked in” appearance to improve the symmetry of the vaginal lips. As a result of the labiaplasty procedure, for this reason, women very often report feeling less self-conscious about their appearance and also more sexually confident after the procedure.
When is the best time to have labiaplasty after childbirth?
Usually, patients must wait a minimum of six months following childbirth before they can undergo a labiaplasty procedure. This period gives the body enough time to heal and dispel any inflammation.
Once this time period is over, you will also have a better idea of whether or not a labiaplasty procedure is right for you. At this point, if you wish to go ahead, you should book a consultation with a specialist surgeon at our Baker Street clinic in London.
What does labia reduction involve?
A labiaplasty is a very individualised procedure, and, as such, the surgical techniques used can be tailored to the patient’s needs. Usually, the procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. When the anaesthetic has been given, the surgeon will then use a scalpel to remove the excess skin of the labia minora. Our surgeons are trained in both trim labiaplasty and wedge labiaplasty.
RELATED: Trim Labiaplasty vs Wedge Labiaplasty
The remaining tissue is then tucked neatly under the external tissue of the vaginal lips (also known as the labia majora). As a final step, the surgeon will then use dissolvable stitches to close the incisions. Dissolvable stitches are used because they do not require manual removal, so no follow-up appointment is necessary for potentially painful stitch removal. Our post-operative nurses will continue to review you after the procedure, primarily to monitor wound healing and address any questions or concerns you may have.
RELATED: Labiaplasty FAQs – Q&A about Labia Reduction
What is recovery like after labiaplasty?
After labia reduction, the patient may experience some soreness, swelling, and possibly bruising around the vagina. Your surgeon will provide you with a comprehensive aftercare plan, along with any pain medication that may be needed to manage associated pain and soreness. This aftercare plan will make the recovery period as smooth as possible.
RELATED: Recovery after Labiaplasty – Top Tips after Labia Reduction Surgery
Under normal circumstances, patients can usually continue with most daily tasks, including returning to work after two weeks. However, complete healing can take 6 to 8 weeks. As such, patients are advised to avoid sexual intercourse, strenuous exercise and tight clothes until after this period.
When will I see the final results of my labiaplasty?
After about 6 to 12 weeks, any swelling following the labiaplasty procedure should have subsided entirely, and the patient will be able to see the full results of the procedure. The patient will then be able to fully enjoy the permanent functional and aesthetic benefits of the labiaplasty procedure.
Why choose Centre for Surgery for labiaplasty surgery?
If you wish to alter the size or shape of your labia following childbirth, a labiaplasty may be the way forward for you. At Centre for Surgery, a fully qualified and specialist surgeon at our Baker Street clinic in central London, will take you through the whole procedure and answer any questions that you may have.
We understand that a labiaplasty procedure is a very intimate undertaking, and we know that you may well have reservations about seeing a male surgeon. This is why specialist surgeons carry out all labiaplasty procedures.
To book a one-on-one consultation, contact us at the Centre for Surgery today to see if a labiaplasty is suitable for you and your specific situation.
You can contact us on 0207 9934849 or fill out our simple contact form. Get in touch and book your initial consultation. The doctor and everyone else at the clinic are looking forward to speaking with you!
[contact-form-7 id=”256″ title=”Treatments form”]
