Labiaplasty

Days 1–2

Rest at home; cold packs and anti-inflammatory medication manage swelling and discomfort.

Days 3–7

Resume light activity. Most patients return to work within one week.

Weeks 1–2

Expect some residual bruising and swelling.

Weeks 4–6

Resume tampon use, more strenuous exercise, and sexual intercourse.

Up to 6 months

Minor residual swelling gradually resolves.

Good candidates are individuals who experience discomfort, pain, or self-consciousness due to the size or shape of their labia. The procedure is designed to alleviate physical symptoms, enhance appearance, and improve quality of life. It is suitable for women with labial hypertrophy, which can result from genetics, aging, hormonal changes, or childbirth.

Candidates often experience discomfort, pain, or irritation that interferes with daily activities such as exercise, intercourse, or wearing certain clothing. Women who have difficulty with hygiene due to excessive labial tissue, or who experience recurrent infections or chafing, are also good candidates.

Vaginal delivery in particular can result in stretched or elongated labia, leading to discomfort and aesthetic concerns. Women who have completed their families are ideal candidates after childbirth, since further pregnancies can alter the labia again. Discuss your family planning goals with your surgeon to determine the best timing.

The procedure typically takes one to one and a half hours from start to finish. It is often performed under local anesthesia in our West Annapolis procedure room, making it a streamlined outpatient procedure.

The procedure itself is painless. You can choose local or general anesthesia, and with either you will not feel discomfort during surgery. Once the anesthetic wears off you may feel some pain around the surgical site for a few days, which is managed with medication and by following your post-operative instructions. Once you have recovered, everyday activities and intimacy should not hurt — for many patients, relieving the discomfort caused by enlarged labia is the reason for the surgery in the first place.

The initial discomfort typically lasts about a week and then gradually resolves, though residual swelling and bruising can contribute to some ache beyond that. Most patients feel well enough for light activities within one to two days and return to work within a week. As the surgical site heals over the following four to six weeks the pain should subside completely, and for some patients slight swelling remains for up to six months.

Take your prescription and over-the-counter medication as instructed, keep the incisions clean and watch for any signs of infection, and apply ice packs to the area at least three times a day — the cold restricts circulation, which numbs the discomfort. We schedule follow-up visits so Dr. Duggal can check your incisions, assess your progress, and catch any complication early.

Yes. Labiaplasty can be performed as part of a mommy makeover, which may also include breast augmentation, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. Combining procedures addresses multiple concerns in a single surgery and recovery period.

We ask you to wait at least six weeks to give your body time to heal and fully recover.

No. All sutures used are dissolvable, so there is no need for a formal suture-removal visit. In some cases Dr. Duggal may trim remaining sutures during a routine follow-up.

In most cases labiaplasty focuses on reducing the labia minora. However, Dr. Duggal can also reduce the size of the labia majora when needed. The final outcome depends on your unique anatomy, all of which is discussed at consultation.

Certain conditions may disqualify you or require additional precautions, including uncontrolled diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or active infections. Women who smoke or have a history of poor wound healing may need to make lifestyle changes before surgery.

Labiaplasty is a cosmetic procedure and is paid for directly. Financing is available through Cherry, which takes about a minute to apply for and uses a soft credit check.