Labia reduction surgery

Why consider a Labioplasty?  |  Labioplasty surgery consultation  |  Labioplasty surgery  |  Recovery period  |  Book Consultation

NorthEast Plastic Surgery, has changed the layout of the educational information about this
procedure to outline the risk and recovery information at the top of the page in order to be
compliant with the advertising guidelines of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
(Ahpra).

As we appreciate that this may impact your understanding, the surgeons will answer any related
questions at your consultation.

What are the Risks of a Labiaplasty?

Risks of surgery whilst uncommon can occur and patients need to be informed of the potential risks before they consent to labiaplasty surgery.

Complications may include:

• Bleeding
• Problem scarring
• Wound breakdown and infection

Revisional surgery is required for only a small percentage of patients – around 5 per cent – whose surgery has resulted in residual skin tissue and/or asymmetry.

Only once you have had all your questions and concerns addressed by the surgeon and understand all the potential risks involved, should you provide consent to the surgery.

After surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling of the soft tissue which can be the cause of some discomfort. However, this will improve over a few months.

Post-surgical Recovery

It is important that access to medical attention is available by telephone once you have been discharged. Issues about which your surgeon needs to be made aware urgently include pain uncontrolled by medication, bleeding to the extent that the pads lining underwear soak through with blood, temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, redness of the skin or any concerns related to the surgery.

Following your surgery, you will be monitored in the recovery room and then discharged once you have fully recovered from the anaesthetic on a day or overnight stay basis. You’ll be given appropriate pain medication and antibiotics to control your discomfort and minimise the risk of infection.

To assist in managing your pain and to encourage healthy wound healing, you should avoid sitting down for longer than 15 minutes at a time. You might also find that a haemorrhoid surgical cushion can help relieve some pain and discomfort when sitting.

To reduce the risk of infection following every bowel movement, it’s recommended to sit in a salt bath for ten minutes and shower thereafter.

You will see your surgeon for a series of post-operative visits, during which they will assess how your wounds are healing. Generally, wounds will heal within two to three weeks after surgery.

You can begin walking for exercise three weeks after surgery and resume running and normal exercise at six weeks. You can expect to return to work after two to three weeks, and resume intercourse after approximately a month after surgery.

It’s normal to experience swelling and bruising after the surgery, which generally subside approximately five to 10 days after surgery. It’s important to note that you may not be able to see the final result of your labiaplasty until a few months after your procedure, when all the soft tissue swelling has gone down.

Why consider a labioplasty?

There are many reasons why women may choose to have labia minora ‘inner labia’ reduction surgery (labiaplasty).

Some choose to have a labiaplasty because their labia minora cause irritation and discomfort, whether from clothing, during intercourse or whilst playing sport.

Others choose to undergo labiaplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons.

Labiaplasty aims to address the volume of labia minora tissue surgically by removal of some of the labia minora tissue.

Your Initial Consultation

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will discuss your specific concerns and your expectations from the surgery. You will need to allow one hour for the consultation process.

The surgeon will also discuss the potential risks and limitations of the surgery and will perform an assessment of your labia and the amount of excess tissue you have.

You will also be required to provide a full medical history, which will assist the surgeon in understanding how appropriate the procedure might be for you.

You will need to disclose all medications you take (including non-prescription medication), whether you are a smoker, your history of mental illness and whether you have a history of blood clots or excessive bleeding.

Following your consultation, you will also be provided with a tailored costing of your procedure.

Your initial consultation is also the perfect opportunity to ask your surgeon about any concerns you may have – whether about the procedure itself, the risks involved or what the aftercare process is like. Your surgeon can take you through before and after photos of previous patients to assist you in your decision-making process.

There is a cost for an initial consultation at our Melbourne clinic, with the potential to receive a portion of this back via Medicare where eligible for rebate, provided you have a referral from your GP.

Preparing for Labiaplasty Surgery

Your surgeon will advise you on how to best prepare for your labiaplasty to ensure you have a safe and comfortable surgical experience.

In the weeks leading up to your surgery, it may be necessary to stop taking certain medication, such as blood thinning agents, the contraceptive pill, Aspirin, Disprin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. Certain medications can increase the likelihood of bleeding during surgery, which is why it is important to cease such treatment.

Your surgeon may also require you to undergo further diagnostic tests, such as blood tests, to determine your bleeding tendencies and to assess your fitness for the anaesthetic.

It is essential that smoking is stopped at least six weeks before, and six weeks after surgery. Products containing nicotine can also impact the body’s wound healing process and these should also be avoided in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Your surgeon will advise you on medication designed to reduce the risk of thrush which will need to commence prior to surgery.

How Much Does Labiaplasty Cost?

During your initial consultation, will be provided with the cost of your procedure. Every patient’s requirements are unique, which is why costing is provided following consultation with your surgeon.

The Australian Medical Board advises against advertisement of set prices for regulated health services. This is why we do not provide any pricing on our website.

We invite you to contact the clinic before your initial appointment if you’d like to find out more about approximate costs and any applicable Medicare rebates. Please contact us on 03 9088 5000 or via online enquiry, to find out more.

There is a cost for an initial consultation at our Melbourne clinic, with the potential to receive a portion of this back via Medicare where eligible for rebate, provided you have a referral from your GP.

Labioplasty Surgery

Labiaplasty can be performed as day-surgery or overnight hospital care, under general or local anaesthetic with sedation. The surgeon will make incisions to remove some labia minora tissue. They scars will be placed so as to be concealed by the inner aspect of the labia majora.

The surgeon will use dissolving stitches to close the skin, so they do not need to be removed at a later date. Afterwards, a urinary catheter may be inserted for a short period of time to minimise the risk of urinary retention.

You will need to take preventative medication to reduce the risk of wound infection and vaginal thrush caused by the antibiotics to optimise the wound healing process.

Second Opinion

Mr Patrick Tansley MD FRCS (Plast) and Dr Sugitha Seneviratne FRACS (Plast) provide second opinion to patients seeking to address problems following plastic surgery performed elsewhere and revisional or corrective surgery. If you would like a second opinion on previously undertaken surgery, book a consultation to discuss this with one or both of our surgeons.