Labiaplasty

The labia are the folds of skin that surround the vulva, the outer part of the female genitals. The labia majora are the outer lips and the labia minora are the inner lips.

Labia come in all different sizes and shapes. The size, shape and symmetry of labia can easily be amended by swift and highly effective labial reduction surgery in the hands of a qualified plastic and reconstructive surgeon.

Labial reduction surgery is particularly effective in instances where a woman suffers from excessively large labia. The cosmetic appearance of large labia can make women feel self conscious and unhappy with the appearance of a very sensitive area of their body.

These large labia can swiftly be reduced in size via straightforward labial reduction surgery.

The primary issue with large labia is typically psychological, with large labia the cause of embarrassment and even significant psychological distress.

It is also true that large labia can cause some functional issues as well. Excessively large labia can chafe on clothing, and cause discomfort when wearing certain items of clothing, such as swimming costumes. Large labia can also impact the enjoyment and comfort of sexual intercourse and exercise, such as cycling or horse riding.

A labiaplasty can help to alleviate this discomfort and allow a woman to live her life free of the restraints caused by a large labia.

The surgeon will carry out a thorough consultation to assess your suitability for a labiaplasty.

Women who are concerned about the shape, size, or symmetry of their labia, or if their labia is causing them discomfort which is impacting on their day-to-day lives, then they are suitable for labia reduction surgery. 

The surgeon must also determine that you are physically and psychologically fit and healthy and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved by labia surgery. All of these criteria must be met before proceeding.

A labiaplasty can be carried out using either a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic. If a local anaesthetic is opted for, it can be performed with or without sedation. The procedure involves reshaping or reducing the labia using one of several different techniques. These include trimming of the edges or removal of a section of each labium, for instance in the shape of a wedge. The specific technique will have been discussed with you in detail at the time of your consultation. The wounds are the stitched up with fine dissolvable stitches. The whole procedure takes about one to two hours and a patient is able to go home the same day, regardless of the type of anaesthetic used.

Labiaplasty is not a particularly painful procedure, and patients are encouraged to be up and about straight away, although we suggest you take one or two weeks off work immediately after surgery. Most of the swelling usually settles in the first few days or early weeks. 

Some residual swelling may persist for months, but this does not normally interfere with day to day activities. Sexual activity and exercise, including going to the gym, should be avoided until four to six weeks post-surgery. Most patients will have returned to all normal activities by this time.

 Your surgeon will discuss the aftercare plan with you in greater detail.

Following labial surgery, patients are advised to take a few days off work with the option of a full week if required, with a view of returning to normal day-to-day activities after about one week. Swelling is greatest during the first few days and the treated areas can be quite uncomfortable with excessive movement.  Although it is advisable for patients to mobilise as soon as is comfortable following surgery, they should be sensitive to their body and not to do too much too soon.

Labial reduction surgery is not quite the same as ‘designer vagina’ surgery.

The phrase ‘designer vagina’ surgery refers collectively to the full spectrum of cosmetic gynaecological surgeries that include labial reduction surgery (labiaplasty), vaginal tightening surgery (vaginoplasty), and other vaginal rejuvenation procedures.

 ‘Designer vagina’ surgery is the colloquial term to describe any or all of these procedures as a standalone, or as a group when performed together.

There is much media focus on the questions of ‘what is a designer vagina?’ or ‘should I get a designer vagina?’. We typically find it more instructive to refer to the more specific technical terms for the various procedures in question than the colloquial media phraseology of ‘designer vagina.’

Most patients opt for general anaesthetic when undergoing a labiaplasty, so they are completely asleep and don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Your surgeon and anaesthetist will provide any medication to control any pain and discomfort you experience after the procedure. Patients may find going to the toilet and sitting down uncomfortable in the days following labiaplasty. Discomfort is usually the result of swelling which tends to subside within 5-7 days. It is perfectly normal to have soreness, swelling or bruising in the labial area for up to two weeks after surgery.

Yes, you will require stitches when undergoing labia reduction surgery.

Surgeons will use dissolvable sutures which are gone by three or four weeks post-surgery.

Because of the natural folds and wrinkles in this particular part of the body, the scars are well hidden, blending in with the labia minora tissue. 

After the stitches dissolve away, the scar tissue will become firm. This will soften over the course of the following months. To aid the scarring process, it is important to carefully follow all aftercare instructions issued by your surgeon.

Everyone is different and will heal at a different pace, but you can expect to see the results of your labiaplasty from around two weeks. The final results of labia reduction surgery can take several months to appear.

Labiaplasty results are permanent. Subsequent pregnancies and childbirth will not stretch the labia, which will keep its new size. 

Labia reduction surgery will not affect pregnancy, the ability to get pregnant or sexual satisfaction.

Labiaplasty is a safe surgery with minimal risk attached. However on rare occasions, patients may experience one of the following after labia reduction:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Tissue scarring
• Reduced genital sensitivity

As with all surgery, there is always the risk of the following complications:

• Allergic reaction to anesthetic
• Formation of a blood clot in a vein

We would like to stress that these complications are very rare. Your surgeon will discuss the risks with you at your consultation and answer any questions you may have about the procedure, including the potential for complications.

Certainly. This is a self-contained local procedure, which should not affect you generally. It can be done under Local Anaesthesia or the Cadogan Clinic form of light General Anaesthesia called TIVA (Total IntraVenous Anaesthesia) and always as a Day Case. You will wake up instantly and not be nauseated. Set aside half a day. Simple painkillers will suffice.

Maybe work from home the next day or two. Avoid significant exercise for 2 – 3 weeks and sexual activity for a bit longer.

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will advise patients to stop smoking and will review any medication they may be taking. The surgeon will also provide patients with all information needed to ensure they are fully prepared for the procedure.

There are a number of different treatments which purport to reduce the size of the labia without surgery. These methods include non-surgical radiofrequency technology. The results vary and are not permanent. If you are looking for a guaranteed way to reduce the size of your labia permanently, then surgery is the only way to achieve this.

There are creams, home remedies and  exercises which claim to reduce labia size. These do not work and we would recommend that you don’t waste your time or money on treatments for which there is very little, if any, scientific proof of their effectiveness.

It is important to find a reputable surgeon who is experienced and qualified to carry out your labiaplasty.

A good surgeon should be able to explain the procedure in great depth, including the different labia surgery techniques - the trim, wedge and de-epithelialization methods - and advise which would best meet your needs. The surgeon should also be honest about any potential risks or complications, possible outcomes and help you to manage your expectations.

At your initial consultation, the surgeon should also be able to talk you through the recovery process, including how to manage pain and help the healing process.

You should check that the surgeon is a specialist in labiaplasty and when you have your initial consultation, make sure the surgeon has an extensive portfolio of labiaplasty before and after photographs that they can share with you so you can get a good idea of how the results of your surgery will look. Be sure to check out testimonials from previous patients.

A good labiaplasty surgeon will always put the patient’s mental and physical wellbeing ahead of everything else. If you are not physically and psychologically fit and healthy, an ethical surgeon will not attempt to perform the procedure.

Only registered doctors can perform cosmetic surgery in England. You can check if a surgeon is a registered doctor or surgeon on the General Medical Council (GMC) online register.

Some surgeons may be members of professional associations, such as the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). However there are some qualified surgeons who are experts in their field but choose not to sign up to a trade body for their own reasons.