Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty addresses problems that occur with the vaginal lip (or labia) size, increasing comfort and improving function in the female genital area. These problems can be due to unequal sizes of the labia, or protruding labia minora causing severe irritation for active women. These issues may arise after puberty and can be made worse after child birth.

Discussing concerns about your labia can be very uncomfortable for many women. Working with an experienced female specialist plastic surgeon like Dr Teston helps to ease any embarrassment and discomfort of dealing with these intimate and personal issues. Dr Teston is in eliminating the irritating symptoms that often accompany these changes to the vagina.

Before Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty may be an option if you have any of the following concerns:

• Enlarged labia that extends beyond the confines of the vagina
• Irritation or frequent infections due to your enlarged labia
• Labia is apparent when you are wearing some types of clothing
• Certain activities like riding a bike are too uncomfortable to enjoy
• You cannot enjoy sexual intercourse due to physical discomfort and/or feelings of embarrassment

Dr Teston can address all of these issues with a surgical procedure that excises the excess tissue and skin from the labia to create a smoother contour. The surgery creates more comfort in the genital area..

Labiaplasty Options

Dr Teston performs Labiaplasty using two different incision methods:

• Trim Method – This method tends to be more popular with women, because it results in a more comfortable recovery process. During this procedure, Dr Teston removes the excess skin from the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) by trimming it down to a smoother contour.
• Wedge Method – The wedge method offers a better aesthetic result than the trim method for many patients, as the technique maintains a consistent pigment and post-operative scarring is nearly invisible. This procedure removes a triangular piece from the labia minora and then stitches up the wedge incision to create a uniform look across the vaginal opening.
  Either of these techniques can be the right one for you, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed. Dr Teston will select the technique to meet your expectations for your procedure.

During Labiaplasty

Dr Teston performs Labiaplasty at an accredited hospital as a day surgery. You will be given general anaesthesia before your Labiaplasty that will allow you to sleep during your procedure. You will spend some time in recovery after surgery, where you will be monitored by nurses to ensure you wake up from the anaesthesia safely and comfortably. Dr Teston will release you to go home a few hours after your surgery so you can recover in familiar surroundings.

After Labiaplasty

The labia may be swollen and sore for a few days after surgery, but most of our patients can return to their regular activities within three to four days. Strenuous exercise and soaking in a bath, pool or the ocean are restricted for two weeks to ensure that the vagina has ample time to heal. You will also be advised to abstain from sexual intercourse for four weeks to allow for healing and prevent infection.

Potential Risks and Complications 

All surgery carries some degree of risk. Some of the possible complications of labiaplasty include:

• Risks of general anaesthesia including allergic reaction, which may rarely be fatal
• Surgical risks such as bleeding or infection
• Scars that may be severe, raised, reddened and itchy
• Unevenness – the labia may not be symmetrical
• Permanent colour change to the labia
• Nerve damage to the labia – including permanent loss of sensation
• Tissue death along the wound or skin loss
• Further surgery to treat complications

This is not a complete list. For example, your medical history or lifestyle may put you at increased risk of certain complications. You need to speak to your medical practitioner for more information.

To find out if you are a candidate, contact Dr Teston’s office today on (02) 9708 3511.

*The information about Labiaplasty was reviewed by Dr Leana Teston. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form below.