How long does it take to recover after vaginoplasty?

What should I do in the first 48 hours after my vaginoplasty? 

The key is to take it easy in the first 48 hours following vaginoplasty. We would expect a patient to be reasonably mobile within one day of vaginoplasty. But we would recommend periods of rest to help the body to heal. Sleep has been proven in many studies to help with muscle repairs and as the vagina is mainly made up of muscle, getting ample rest will help with recovery. It is recommended that a vaginoplasty patient sleeps on their back for four weeks after surgery.

Generally there will be swelling, soreness and some bruising after surgery which should subside in a week or two. Any pain or discomfort can be controlled with painkillers. After a couple of days we would expect a patient to be able to walk around comfortably.

To help aid the healing process, the application of ice packs will help to bring down the swelling in the genital area and wearing loose clothing is recommended in order to avoid rubbing and irritating the site of the surgery, causing further discomfort.

With regards to washing, a patient can shower one day after surgery, using warm water. In order to maintain good vaginal health, scented and antibacterial soaps should never be used. Unscented soaps can be used in the external area, such as the vulva. Baths should be avoided, along with hot tubs and swimming pools, during vaginoplasty recovery. The surgeon will issue specific guidelines with regards to intimate hygiene following vaginoplasty.

Any stitches will dissolve over the course of a few weeks, so there is no need for them to be removed, although patients are required to attend a one week post operative wound care appointment with a specialist nurse here at the Cadogan Clinic.

Please note that we do not use any vaginal mesh in our vaginoplasty treatment.

It is important not to rush to return to physical activity following vaginoplasty. If a patient tries to do too much too soon, they run the risk of injuring or irritating this intimate area, delaying healing. During the recovery process, strenuous activities and lifting heavy weights or straining during bowel movements should be avoided as these can put the pelvic floor muscles under a great deal of pressure.

Driving should be completely avoided until one week after a vaginoplasty. Exercise, including going to the gym, should be paused until two to four weeks after surgery.

Sports such as horse riding, cycling or jogging, which may cause strain or friction at the site of the surgery, should also be avoided for six weeks. Saunas are not recommended for at least two months.

We would expect a patient to be fully recovered by six weeks following a vaginoplasty. At six weeks, a patient should also be able to return to work.

A patient should follow aftercare instructions as a failure to do so could delay the healing process. Our surgeon will discuss this in detail during the initial consultation.

Here at the Cadogan Clinic, we offer 24/7 on call nurse assistance following surgery, meaning patients have access to the very best medical care and advice during the recovery period.

We recommend a patient stops smoking, drinking and/or taking aspirin or certain other medications prior to surgery as this can also affect, or slow down, the healing process. The surgeon will guide patients when they can resume these post-surgery.