Labiaplasty Surgery

The labia are folds of skin located on the outside of a woman's genitals. These folds have two parts: the inner labia and outer labia. The labia protect the vagina and come in many different sizes and shapes.

Women who have naturally large labia or whose labia have enlarged over time can feel self-conscious about their appearance. Sometimes large labia can cause pain during intercourse, interfere with exercise and even how clothing fits. For these women, a labiaplasty may be a good way to reduce their size and complications.

To learn more about labiaplasty, please call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

What is Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure performed by a trained medical professional that reduces the size of the inner labia, outer labia, or both.

Labiaplasty Surgery

In most cases, a labiaplasty is performed in an outpatient surgical center or hospital operating room. You will be completely asleep (under general anesthesia) for the procedure. Sometimes the procedure can be performed under IV sedation or "twilight anesthesia" - a technique where a mild dose of anesthetic is used to reduce anxiety and block pain.

There are various types of labiaplasty surgery so your specific surgery may take more than one procedure. Most labiaplasty surgeries take between an hour and an hour and a half to complete.

During surgery, your provider will reshape or contour the labia. This may mean using lasers, scalpels, or other surgical instruments to remove any excess skin from the labia.

Your provider will stitch the skin back together using absorbable stitches that will dissolve on their own in a few weeks.

Labiaplasty Recovery and Care

After surgery, you will go home the same day. Pain at the surgical site is expected and your doctor may give you a prescription for pain medication. Some women find that the pain is mild enough to only take over the counter pain medication.

To promote healing and reduce complications, please remember:

• Keep ice to the genitals for the first 72 hours after your labiaplasty.
• Wear loose fitting clothing that does not rub or irritate the surgical site.
• Do only light tasks as tolerated for the first 48 hours.
• You may drive once you stop taking prescription pain medication.
• You may return to work 24-48 hours after surgery as long as you don't have a job with strenuous physical activity.
• No riding horses, bicycles or motorcycles for 6 weeks after surgery.

Request More Information

To learn more about labiaplasty, please call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.

Author

Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG As an expert in preventive care, innovative treatment solutions, and laparoscopic surgery, board-certified OB/GYN Gul A. Zikria, MD, FACOG, is a trusted practitioner who’s been in private practice since 1985. Dr. Zikria earned his doctor of medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark. He went on to complete a competitive surgical residency program at Georgetown University in Washington. Dr. Zikria then went through a comprehensive obstetrics and gynecology residency program through the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center at the Magee-Women’s Hospital. He welcomes new and existing patients to his practice in Milpitas, California.