Enlarged labia can cause mental and physical discomfort, while also possibly leading to pain during sex. Fortunately, labiaplasty can help you resolve these issues by reducing the size or changing the shape of your labia. But due to this surgery’s intimate nature, you may worry about discomfort.
During a labiaplasty procedure, anesthesia ensures a painless experience in the operating room. But like other surgeries, labiaplasty can cause some pain for a few days after the procedure. You can manage this with medication and by following your post-surgical directions. Once you recover, you should not feel any pain during everyday activities or sexual intercourse.
As a female board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Claire S. Duggal completely understands your concerns about having plastic surgery that targets the most intimate part of your anatomy. She’ll use her expertise and dedication to patient satisfaction to provide you with detailed answers to all your questions before your Annapolis labiaplasty.
Here is an overview of the procedure and its post-surgical effects to give you realistic expectations.
What Does Labiaplasty Entail?
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces the size or revises the shape of enlarged labia minora, or the fleshy inner skin folds on either side of the vagina. In some cases, labiaplasty can also address labia majora, which are the outer lips of the vagina.
To achieve these goals, Dr. Duggal trims excess tissue, leaving your other vaginal structures intact. By using expert techniques, Dr. Duggal helps you achieve natural-looking and symmetrical results that also resolve your functional concerns with enlarged labia.
Enlarged labia can make it challenging to maintain proper hygiene, thus increasing your risk of urinary tract infections. They can also cause discomfort, embarrassment, and self-image issues during everyday activities. Depending on the issues you face, your customized labiaplasty plan can address all these problems to make your vagina more attractive while putting your comfort front and center.
With her surgical experience and personal touch, Dr. Duggal helps you achieve your aesthetic goals. Besides tailoring a strategy to address your specific concerns, she will begin your process with a private consultation, ensuring your journey toward confidence is free of unnecessary concerns.
Is Labiaplasty a Painful Procedure?
When Dr. Duggal performs your labiaplasty, you can choose between local or general anesthesia. In either case, you will not experience any discomfort during your procedure. Additionally, reducing pain from large labia is a significant reason to seek labiaplasty. Once you heal, you can look forward to fewer chances of your labia pulling, chafing, or causing embarrassment during sex or exercise.
Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure, so you can go home after your surgery. If you only receive local anesthesia and choose to stay awake, you can even drive yourself home afterward. Patients who opt for general anesthesia will need a friend or family member to drive them home.
Once your anesthetic starts wearing off, you may start feeling some pain around the surgical site. Dr. Duggal will give you detailed post-operative instructions to help you take care of yourself. Most people who follow this advice feel well enough to resume light activities in one to two days and return to work within a week after labiaplasty.
How Long Does the Pain Last After Labiaplasty Surgery?
Since everybody is different, the duration of post-surgery pain after labiaplasty varies from patient to patient. Typically, the initial discomfort lasts about a week, gradually resolving until it’s gone. Residual swelling and bruising may still contribute to some ache and discomfort. You can manage these side effects by following all your provided directions and continuing to take medication as necessary.
As your surgical site continues to heal over the next four to six weeks, your pain should completely subside. After this period, ask Dr. Duggal when you can resume exercising and sexual intercourse without jeopardizing your comfort or triggering pain around your vaginal area.
What Can You Do to Manage Pain and Discomfort After Labiaplasty?
While recovering from labiaplasty, take these steps to feel better sooner.
- Take prescription and OTC medications as instructed.
- Keep your incisions clean, watching for signs of infection.
- Apply ice packs to the surgical site at least three times a day. The cold restricts circulation, which can numb the pain.
We’ll provide a schedule of follow-up visits, during which Dr. Duggal will check your incisions, evaluate your progress, and help you avoid infection and other post-surgical complications.
What Are the Risks and Complications of Labiaplasty Surgery?
Like any other surgery, labiaplasty carries risks such as excessive bleeding, infection, slow wound healing, and sensitivity loss.
While getting your labiaplasty from a board-certified plastic surgeon reduces the chances of these issues, you should still learn about them to decide whether this procedure is ideal for you.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing labiaplasty, Dr. Duggal is well-versed in optimal surgical techniques and best practices to complete your surgery precisely and safely, preventing complications during your recovery.
By attending your follow-up appointments with Dr. Duggal, you can also get the necessary ongoing care to detect and resolve early symptoms of infections or complications before they become more severe.
How Long Does Labiaplasty Recovery Take?
Though surgical recovery is different for everyone, most people can resume light activities one to two days after labiaplasty and return to work within a week. Still, it might take four to six weeks before Dr. Duggal clears you to resume more strenuous activities such as high-impact exercise and sexual intercourse. For some patients, slight swelling may remain in place for up to six months.
After assessing your recovery during your follow-up visits, Dr. Duggal can provide you with precise suggestions on when you can return to your daily schedule without risking your well-being.
What Are the Expected Results of Labiaplasty Surgery?
As a highly targeted procedure, labiaplasty can provide a dramatic improvement when performed by a knowledgeable plastic surgeon. Along with reducing the size and revising the shape of your labia for a naturally rejuvenated look, the expected outcomes may address other functional issues, including:
- Reducing pulling, twisting, and tugging of enlarged labia
- Lowering the risk of poor hygiene and frequent urinary tract infections
- Preventing pain, discomfort, and mental anguish while exercising, having sex, or wearing revealing clothes
- Improving your self-image and confidence
During your initial consultation, Dr. Duggal will explain how labiaplasty can help resolve your concerns, providing benefits that are specific to your needs.
How Can You Prepare for Labiaplasty Surgery to Minimize Discomfort?
Though many women report a smooth, pain-free experience, you can take the following steps to minimize discomfort during your recovery.
- Take at least a week off work.
- Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
- Arrange for child care if you have young children at home.
- If you plan to have your surgery under general anesthesia, ask a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.
- Clear your professional and social appointments to avoid interfering with your recovery.
- If you smoke, quit at least a few weeks before and after your surgery to promote optimal healing.
- Attend all scheduled follow-up appointments.
What Should You Expect During a Labiaplasty Consultation?
Before your labiaplasty, Dr. Duggal will meet with you one on one. This private meeting is your chance to describe your goals and ask questions to ensure you understand what to expect during surgery and recovery.
Dr. Duggal will also evaluate your health to ensure you are a good candidate for plastic surgery. Please arrive at your consultation prepared for a candid discussion of your medical history, including any medications and supplements you take.
The goal of a pre-surgical consultation is to ensure you are well-informed about the potential benefits and risks of your desired procedure, so you can confidently decide whether to proceed.
Are There Any Alternative Treatments for Labia-Related Concerns?
Some non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation techniques exist, including laser and ultrasound technologies. However, labiaplasty is still the most effective way to deliver quick, effective, and transformative results.
After your initial consultation, Dr. Duggal can recommend whether labiaplasty is suitable for you, or if you might benefit more from an alternative solution.
Consult With Dr. Duggal for Your Labiaplasty in Annapolis, MD
Enlarged labia can erode your self-image and mental health, while affecting your physical comfort and overall well-being. Even when you know labiaplasty is a safe way to reduce the size and improve the shape of your labia, deciding to get plastic surgery can still be stressful.
Dr. Duggal’s extensive qualifications and experience allow her to deliver outstanding outcomes to all her patients. With her commitment to patient care, you will understand what labiaplasty entails and what the healing process is like.
To schedule your labiaplasty consultation, contact the Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery of Annapolis online or call us at (410) 266-7120 today.