Hoodectomy

This method of hoodectomy involves excess tissue being cut away from either side of the clitoris. Your surgeon will ensure to avoid the nerve endings in order to maintain the sensitivity of the clitoris.

The surgeon will make small incisions running parallel to the clitoris, followed by cutting away the redundant folds of tissue within the clitoral hood. Again, your surgeon will ensure to preserve the nerve endings in the clitoral area in order to maintain the sensitivity.

You will meet your consultant gynaecology surgeon for up to two 60 minute consultations at our clinic in Chelsea to discuss Hoodectomy surgery, your individual concerns and your desired results. Your surgeon will listen to your concerns, examine your clitoral hood and explain the results they will be able to achieve and the benefits you will experience from the procedure.

Your patient advisor will suggest writing down any questions you have for your surgeon in preparation for your consultation. This will allow you to get the most out of your consultation and will make sure you don’t forget anything you may want to discuss.

Your surgeon will also conduct an overall health and wellness check to see if there are any further tests you need pre-surgery.

Your surgeon will send your surgery plan through to your patient advisor. This may include other options alongside Hoodectomy surgery to offer you the best results. Your patient advisor will contact you to discuss the plan, explain any pricing options and your surgeon’s operating dates. You will then have a mandatory two week cooling off period to reflect on your consultation and the plan your surgeon has proposed.

If you decide to proceed with the Hoodectomy procedure, your next visit to the clinic will be for your surgery. Your surgeon will have explained how you will need to prepare for the procedure, which will include the following steps:

• You will be asked to complete your medical questionnaire and psychological questionnaire for your surgeon, anaesthetist and the nurses to review and confirm you are safe and ready for surgery.
• 6 weeks before your surgery, you must stop smoking and/or vaping. Smoking and vaping can have a significant, negative impact on healing and recovery.
• 48 hours before your procedure you shouldn’t consume any alcohol which can affect your surgery results and recovery.
• For 1 week ahead of your procedure, avoid taking anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and aspirin, or herbal medications to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during your procedure.
• Your surgeon will have asked you to organise for a friend or family member to come and collect you and stay with you overnight after your procedure. This ensures you are completely safe after your surgery.
• To prepare for the general anaesthetic, you can’t eat any solid food or drink any juice or milk (including in tea or coffee) for 6 hours before you arrive at the clinic. You can have sips of clear liquids (water, or black tea and coffee) up to 2 hours before you arrive at the clinic, and then nothing in the final 2 hours.

Your arrival time at the clinic will be an hour before your Hoodectomy is scheduled to begin. The nurses will carry out a brief pre-operative assessment, checking your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature and asking you a few questions. They will then ask you to dress in a surgical gown and compression stockings. Your surgeon and anaesthetist will come and meet you and answer any questions you have, before you are taken into the theatre.

If your procedure is being carried out under general anaesthetic or sedation, your anaesthetist will administer this. All general anaesthetic procedures at Cadogan Clinic are done using TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthesia) which has a lower risk of feeling unwell after your procedure and allows for a faster initial recovery. If your surgeon has recommended local anaesthetic, they will administer this themselves.

Your surgeon will then carry out your Hoodectomy. After the procedure is finished, you will be taken to our recovery ward, where a nurse will monitor your vital health signs and you will recover from the anaesthetic. You will then move to our ambulatory ward where you will have something to eat and drink in your own room. When you are ready, the nurses will ask your chaperone to come and collect you. They will explain your aftercare and medication before you are discharged.

Recovery from Hoodectomy is usually very quick, and most patients are healed within 2-3 weeks. In the first few days you can expect some swelling and bruising. Any pain medication you may need will either have been prescribed for you at the clinic, or will be available from a pharmacy. You will need to avoid sexual activity for 6 weeks after your procedure, to ensure the area is fully healed and to avoid irritation or infection.

Your first follow up appointment will be with our nurses a week after your procedure. They will assess your incisions, and make sure you are healing well. They will answer your questions and explain any further aftercare you will need.

Your second follow up appointment will be with your surgeon so they can check your results, and answer any questions you have. They will give you any advice on the scarring you can expect and will advise on how to look after your surgical site going forward. After six weeks, if you have any questions or concerns, you will still be able to contact the team and speak with one of our specialist nurses.