Labiaplasty: Enhance Comfort and Confidence with Surgery

Our Quick Guide

Time in Theatre : 1 hour
Anaesthetic : General
Hospital Stay : Day case
Return To Work : 1 week
Recovery Time : 6 weeks

What it is?

Labiaplasty is often compared to trimming split ends at the hair salon, but for the labial folds. This procedure typically focuses on the labia minora, the inner folds closest to the clitoris, to create a more streamlined, “tucked-in” appearance.

So, why are some individuals in London choosing to undergo labiaplasty, and what does the process involve? Here are the essential details.

Why Is Labiaplasty Done?

It’s important to understand that there’s a wide range of what is considered normal when it comes to the size and appearance of the labia.

The inner labia can be longer than the outer labia, or vice versa. Sometimes they’re symmetrical, sometimes asymmetrical; sometimes they may even make the clitoris visible, while other times they don’t.

One expert compares labia to earlobes: “Just as no two earlobes are the same in thickness, length, or color, no two vulvas or labias are identical.”

Labiaplasty in London is often considered when the inner labia are perceived as too long or when someone feels that their labia don’t match their personal aesthetic or comfort preferences.

Request a Free Consultation

The best way to find out more is to book a free phone appointment with a Patient Care Coordinator.

Vaginal Tightening

Vaginal tightening can help with the muscle tone of the vagina by ensuring the muscles that support tissues are tightened.

The procedure is particularly popular with new mums, where following childbirth the muscles of the vagina have lost elasticity and began to sag. Some patients opt for this as part of a Mummy Makeover package.

Similar effects can happen as women begin to age and the muscle tone begins to relax and the vaginal muscles and surrounding tissue loosen.

Vaginal surgery or the ‘Designer Vagina’ has become a very common procedure and no longer a taboo, meaning lots of women who feel uncomfortable or discomfort now have the opportunity to get it rectified.

Labiaplasty London: Techniques and Aftercare for Labia Minora and Majora

There are two primary techniques used to perform Labiaplasty in London on the labia minora: edge resection and wedge resection, both typically carried out under anesthesia.

Edge resection involves trimming the excess, protruding edges of the labia, much like how hair is cut during a haircut.
Wedge resection preserves the natural shape of the labia by removing wedge-shaped sections of skin from the center, then suturing the remaining tissue together with dissolvable stitches.

For Labiaplasty procedures involving the labia majora, there are usually two approaches:

Removing tissue or using liposuction to reduce the size of labia that are larger or fuller than desired.
Injecting fat or other fillers to enhance the fullness of labia that may be lacking in volume.

What to Expect from Aftercare and Recovery

A Labiaplasty in London is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning you can recover at home, but it’s still a significant surgery.

After the procedure, expect some soreness and swelling in the area. Doctors usually recommend taking at least 3 to 7 days off work to recover.

To minimize the risk of infection and reduce pain, most doctors prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. If anti-inflammatory drugs aren’t prescribed, over-the-counter options are usually suggested.

During the recovery period, patients are generally advised to:

Wear loose clothing to prevent friction and minimize discomfort.
Take salt or sitz baths to soothe the area.
Avoid strenuous activities and exercise.
Refrain from using tampons or engaging in sexual activity for at least 4 to 6 weeks.

To reduce swelling and pain, lying down with the bottom elevated can be helpful, as recommended by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Applying an ice pack to the area for 20-minute intervals can also provide relief.

While most of the swelling will subside within 6 weeks, some residual swelling may persist for up to 6 months.

Benefits of Labiaplasty in London

Labiaplasty in London is a surgical procedure that offers a variety of potential benefits. These advantages can differ from person to person, depending on their individual reasons for considering the procedure. Below are some of the key benefits:

Improved Aesthetic Appearance: Many women choose Labiaplasty in London to enhance the appearance of their vulva. This procedure can help achieve a more balanced and symmetrical look, improving body image and self-confidence.
Increased Physical Comfort: Enlarged labia can cause discomfort during everyday activities, such as exercising, cycling, or even when wearing tight clothing. By reducing the size of the labia, Labiaplasty can provide significant relief, improving physical comfort.
Enhanced Sexual Satisfaction: Excess labial tissue can interfere with sexual activity, causing discomfort or pain. Labiaplasty in London helps reduce this excess tissue, improving comfort and enhancing sexual satisfaction.
Improved Psychological Well-being: Dissatisfaction with the appearance of the labia can lead to embarrassment or self-consciousness in intimate situations. By improving the aesthetic appearance of the labia, Labiaplasty can help alleviate these concerns, leading to better mental well-being.
Relief from Physical Discomfort: In some cases, enlarged labia can result in chronic irritation, hygiene issues, or urinary tract infections. Labiaplasty London can reduce the labial size, helping to relieve these symptoms.
Boosted Self-Esteem: Body dissatisfaction can have a significant impact on self-esteem. By addressing concerns about the labia, Labiaplasty can help improve self-esteem, positively influencing a woman’s overall quality of life.

Things to Consider Before Scheduling a Consultation

Anyone thinking about a labiaplasty should be aware that there are alternative ways to address concerns about the length of the labia or the way they feel about it. Here are some options to consider:

Explore diverse vulva types: Viewing a variety of vulvas in alternative media, such as indie or queer content, which often showcase a wider range of body types, might help you realize how normal your vulva is.
Allow pubic hair to grow: The increased demand for labiaplasties is often linked to the trend of Brazilian waxes and the preference for a hairless appearance. When the hair is removed, it draws more attention to the appearance of the labia. Trying a new pubic hairstyle could help you feel more confident about your vulva.
Consider an O-shot: This procedure involves extracting blood from other parts of the body and injecting it into the clitoris. For those considering a labiaplasty due to concerns about sexual arousal, this can be a quick recovery alternative with only 1 to 2 days of downtime, compared to 4 to 6 weeks for surgery.
Seek therapy: For those who dislike their labia, it’s not uncommon for this feeling to extend to other parts of their body. Working with a therapist, especially one specializing in body dysmorphia, can be beneficial if you struggle with body image issues.
Avoid relationships that contribute to shame: Some people may feel shame about their vulva because of insensitive comments from partners. It’s important to recognize that no one should make you feel embarrassed about your body. If someone is contributing to feelings of shame, consider distancing yourself from them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the procedure involve

The surgeon will carefully trim and reshape the labia to create a natural look, avoiding any damage to surrounding nerves and tissue.
The procedure can be performed either under local anaesthetic or “twilight” sedation. In most cases this avoids the need for an overnight stay in hospital.

What are the risks and likely after-effects?

Cosmetic Surgery, like any other surgery, involves a “trauma” to the human body and there are risks associated with any procedure. Each woman’s body is different, and your general health, level of fitness, age and genetic profile will all have an effect on the speed of healing and also on the risk of side-effects.

If you smoke, drink alcohol, are overweight and/or take drugs for medical or other reasons, the risk of complication during and after surgery can be greatly increased. Smoking, in particular, is discouraged because it increases the risk both of infection and thrombosis (blood clots).

After any surgery it is normal for all patients to experience swelling. Bruising and numbness. This decreases gradually in the days and weeks afterwards.

What will happen after the operation?

Post-Op
Your surgeon will see you when you have come round from the anaesthetic to check that all is well, and will discharge you providing you are fit to
return home. You will be given medication and full post-operative instructions along with appropriate telephone numbers in case you need to contact us at any time. On returning home you will need to use ice packs or cold compresses to help reduce the swelling.

Week 1 – 2
You will see the nurse after 7-10 days so that she can check your progress. Penetrative sex is best avoided for at least 2-3 weeks after the procedure, and tamponsshould also not be used.

Week 8 – 12
You will see the surgeon once more at between 8 and 10 weeks after your operation for a full post-operative consultation.

Full post-operative cover

We’re confident that you will be delighted with the results. For that reason, we guarantee that we will provide post-operative cover for a full three years after you procedure. It’s our way of ensuring that you have peace of mind and confidence in Linia.

Period of reflection

Cosmetic surgery is a purely elective procedure and careful consideration should be given to both the potential benefits and the risks, before making a decision to proceed. Linia recommends that, following consultation with your surgeon, you allow a period of at least fourteen days before making a decision.

The LINIA Promise

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At LINIA, we promise to treat you as a valued individual with the utmost dignity and privacy.
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At LINIA, we promise to make sure that your treatment will be specially tailored to your needs and as you desire.
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At LINIA, we promise to provide post-operative care for life. T&C’s apply.
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At LINIA we promise to provide you free refinement surgery. T&C’s apply.
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At LINIA, we promise to be available for 24-hour cover.