Labiaplasty
Many women are uncomfortable either with the appearance of their genitalia or experience discomfort, and there are a range of options for surgery that have high satisfaction rates. The most common procedure in this category is labiaplasty or surgery on the labia minora.
This procedure is suitable for women who find that their labia minora (inner lips) protrude beyond the labia majora (outer lips), which can subject their delicate tissue to trauma and discomfort. This can either be through natural development or enlargement in or after pregnancy.
Women seek labiaplasty surgery to:
- Improve the external appearance of their genitalia
- Wear tight clothes or swimwear they want to wear
- Feel confident in social situations
- Minimise discomfort during sexual intercourse
Labiaplasty surgery has a very high satisfaction rate.
At MODE, Dr Aggarwal will guide you through the planning of surgery and help decide which procedure is best suited to achieve your goals.
- Anaesthetic: GA by accredited anaesthetist
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Duration of stay: Day Surgery
- Hospital: At any of the private hospitals where Dr Aggarwal works.
- Medicare/Health fund rebate: For most no, but there is a Medicare item number that may apply to the few needing labiaplasty for medical reasons only. For these patients who are also appropriately insured, it can reduce out of pocket hospital costs.
- Recovery: The procedure is day surgery only and most of the wounds are healed in 2 weeks, by which time most people are feeling normal. It is necessary to refrain from sexual intercourse for approximately 6 weeks.
- Results: Can be a life changing operation for women who desire improved appearance of this area and can also offer functional benefits and increased comfort.
Procedure Information
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia given by an accredited anaesthetist in a fully accredited and licensed facility (usually one of the North Shore’s premier private hospitals). The procedure takes 1-2 hours for both sides and most patients will go home the same day
- The ideal labiaplasty technique involves
- Hidden scars
- Correction of excess of the labial minora tissue
- Preserve nerves and therefore sensation
- Improve colour (if pigmentation is a problem)
- Unfortunately the different labiaplasty techniques achieve some compromise of the above aims, and therefore Dr Aggarwal at MODE will help you select the procedure that will offer you the most benefits
- The different techniques
- Trim technique – as the name implies this involves trimming the labial tissue and closure. This removes the excess tissue, and can remove any colour issues, but can result in nerve damage and also a visible scar
- Wedge technique – This removes a wedge of tissue therefore also removing labial excess but in a manner that the scar is less perceptible and also nerves are preserved.
- Deepithelialisation – this involves removing skin only and allows for hidden scars. It may not always remove the bulk of the tissue and can even result in labial thickening.
- Dr Aggarwal will place ointment over the suture lines as formal dressings are difficult to apply in this area.
- It is a good idea to wear a pad inside your underwear to avoid friction and to absorb any early oozing.
- You will be able to get all areas wet after 48 hours.
- Swimming in a pool or beach is usually deferred for at least 2 weeks, and sexual intercourse for 6 weeks.
- You will be given a script for antibiotics by Dr Aggarwal which you must continue until the box runs out. You will also be given appropriate pain relief medications.
- When you go home it is best to have someone look after you as you recover.
- While most sedentary activities can be resumed when you go home, you must lay low and not exert yourself. Initially you will only be allowed to do limited walking.
- Dr Aggarwal will see regularly after your discharge from hospital.
Other Procedures
- The mons is the area just above the genital area in a female
- This area can harbour excess fat or tissue that can be a problem functionally and aesthetically.
- Mons liposuction can be performed to reduce the fat in this area, while a lift/reduction involves incisions to remove excess tissue and reshape this area.
- A mons reduction/lift is frequently used in conjunction with a tummy tuck procedure. It can also be combined with a labiaplasty procedure.
- While women ask for this less frequently than labia minora reduction, the labia majora can also harbour excess tissue whether it be skin or fat
- This area can be treated with liposuction or via excision of tissue to produce a more aesthetic and functional result.
Risks & Complications
Every surgery carries risks, and therefore one must consider if risks outweigh the benefits for your own personal situation. If they do then the surgery may be well worth it. Dr Aggarwal will discuss the pros and cons of surgery with you during your consultation.
- Risks of anaesthetic – there are general risks of going under an anaesthetic such as stress on the heart and lungs, risk of reaction to anaesthetic drugs and risk of clotting in the legs.
- Bleeding (2-5%) – any bleeding is controlled during surgery however unexpected bleeding can occur in the immediate postoperative period. If this occurs it will necessitate a return to theatre to control the bleeding.
- Infection (2-5%) – this is rare. However you are given antibiotics during induction (when you are going to sleep), as well as a course of oral antibiotics after your surgery to keep this risk to a minimum.
- Poor Wound Healing, wound separation (2-5%) – this is generally uncommon. Generally wounds heal very well in this operation and minor wound separation heals with simple wound care and regular ointment application. It is perhaps more common in those with medical problems, diabetes and patients who smoke.
- Change in labial sensation – it is common for parts of the labia minora to be numb after surgery. Very small nerves that are barely visible, are removed during excision of the skin from the labia – and this is more so with the trimming technique than the wedge or deepithelialisation technique. Usually sensation returns over weeks to months, and can take up to 12 months to recover.
- Asymmetrical scars –. There are natural asymmetries to the body and there can be a difference in how each side of the body behaves to surgery and skin tension, and can produce an asymmetry to the scars, albeit the aim is to get them as symmetrical as possible.
- Change in the shape of the labia minora – in the deepithelialisation technique the labia can thicken or widen, and there can be an asymmetry of shape with any technique between the two sides although the aim is always to get them as symmetrical as possible.
- Hypertrophic or poor scars – How one’s body behaves to scarring is individual and largely genetic. Some types of skin are more prone to hypertrophic or keloid scarring, and some individuals and families are more prone to this. We will routinely advise you on how to improve the quality of scars over time. You should also discuss any history of abnormal scarring with Dr Aggarwal preoperatively.
Procedure FAQs
- It is not necessary to obtain a referral for labiaplasty however we recommend one as it is possible to claim a Medicare rebate of approximately $73 for the consultation if you have a referral.
- If there is a medical reason for labiaplasty then it is best to obtain a referral documenting the medical reasons as it may be possible for a Medicare item number to be used, which combined with appropriate health insurance cover, can significantly reduce the out of pocket costs .
- You can see us at our main practice at Gordon, or at our other locations at Hornsby, Hunters Hill or Camperdown.
- Please scroll to the bottom of the page to find out more information about these locations.
- Any of the hospitals where Dr Aggarwal works – usually at the SAN Day Surgery or Hunters Hill Private Hospital.
- Cease fish oil, and other supplements such as Ginkgo, Ginseng.
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery
- No.
- Light exercise is possible after 2 weeks and heavy exercise after 4 weeks.
- It is a good idea to lay low for the first week after surgery.
- Dr Aggarwal will provide you with the necessary scripts for antibiotics and pain relief.
- Not usually.
- Yes
- However we always encourage patients not to be away overseas shortly after having a procedure, so that we can closely follow your recovery and address any concerns that may arise
- Generally 2 weeks after the operation.
- You are not allowed to drive for the first 24 hours after an anaesthetic but after this you may do so.
- Yes it can.
- It is common for parts of the labia minora to be numb after surgery. Very small nerves that are barely visible, are removed during excision of the skin from the labia – and this is more so with the trimming technique than the wedge or deepithelialising technique. Usually sensation returns over weeks to months, and can take up to 12 months to recover.
- Not for reduction of the labia minora.
- However there are other procedures that patients request which are slightly different to labia minora surgery and include:
- Clitoral hood reduction
- Labia majora reduction
- Mons lift/liposuction.
- Please click on the tabs to find out more about some of these procedures if you are interested.
Procedure Pricing
- Labiaplasty generally does not attract a Medicare/health insurance rebate. With changes coming in November 2018, only in a very few women will it be possible to have labiaplasty for medical reasons where a Medicare item number may apply, and in combination with appropriate insurance level cover, this could reduce the out of pocket costs.
- The cost of surgery is approximately $6000-9000. This includes
- Surgical fees
- Hospital fees
- Anaesthetist fees
- Follow up
- Please note that the above prices do not include
- Preoperative consultation fees – which are $280 for the initial consult and $140 for additional preoperative consultations
- Fees for other procedures.
Meet Dr Aggarwal
Dr Aggarwal is a well regarded, respected, highly skilled and experienced Specialist Plastic Surgeon. Graduating at the top of his class throughout his training, Dr Aggarwal has completed fellowship training at some of the world’s most prestigious reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery institutions. He continues to publish research is prestigious plastic surgery journals, and is actively involved in the training of future plastic surgeons.
What sets Dr Aggarwal apart from others is his personal, affable and warm nature. Not only does he pay attention to detail, to producing natural, beautiful results but he ensures that the patient’s journey is just as special as their outcome. Dr Aggarwal looks after patients at two of Sydney’s most prestigious public hospital campuses (RPA and POWH/RHW), and operates privately on the North Shore.
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Suite 13, 924 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW 2072, Australia
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