Dra. Luísa Magalhães Ramos on tv
ABOUT LABIAL
HYPERTROPHY
Labial hypertrophy is the abnormal growth of the labia. Although it is not considered a health problem, it is a condition that can limit the quality of life, interfere with self-esteem and affect the couple’s intimacy. Women who suffer from this condition usually feel uncomfortable or embarrassed as the abnormal volume in this area can be noticed when using tighter or less concealing clothes. Although most of the changes in the female genital area are related to the natural aging process, they can also be associated with genetic issues, hormonal changes, pregnancy, medication, obesity and some diseases such as diabetes.
Labial hypertrophy can be unilateral or bilateral and generates complaints as local irritation due to friction, recurrent vulvovaginal infections, discomfort and pain while practicing sports, sexual activity or wearing tight clothes.
WHAT IS LABIAPLASTY / NINFOPLASTY?
Labiaplasty is a surgical intervention that reduces and reshapes the labia, when they are too large, sagging, irregular or asymmetrical. This surgery, also known as ninfoplasty, or labial reduction, excess skin on the labia or clitoral hood is eliminated whenever necessary. It is a simple surgery that lasts approximately one hour and is performed with light sedation and local anesthesia. The sutures are spontaneously absorbed by the organism and the outer ones fall spontaneously. As this area is hidden by the outer labia, it leaves no visible scars. Some discomfort and edema is expected in the postoperative period, hence, rest is recommended in the immediate postoperative period, as well as following all the plastic surgeon’s recommendations.
The diagnosis of labial hypertrophy is usually by observation and symptomatology. The labia come in different sizes and shapes and there is no defined size to establish an indication for surgery. Labiaplasty is indicated if the size of the labia causes discomfort and interferes with the woman’s quality of life and self-esteem.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATES
FOR LABIAPLASTY
The ideal candidates for inner labia reduction surgery usually have the following characteristics:
- Excessively large inner labia;
- Asymmetry and / / irregularity of the labia minora;
- Excess skin on the clitoral hood;
- Patients with no uncontrolled condition causing this growth of the labia minora; (ex: hormonal problems, medication, some health problems);
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse and physical activity;
- Low self esteem;
- Healthy;
- Non-smoking;
- Emotionally mature;
- Realistic expectations.
WHAT RESULTS CAN I EXPECT
AFTER LABIAPLASTY?
The results of labial reduction surgery are satisfactory and long lasting. Improving the appearance of the genital region contributes to increased confidence and self-esteem. Some of the benefits of labiaplasty are:
- Improved genital appearance;
- Improved confidence and self-esteem;
- Improved couple intimacy;
- Greater comfort in day-to-day life and physical activity;
- Greater freedom to wear tighter and less concealing clothes.
INTIMATE SURGERY
SURGERY PROCEDURE
Diagnosis
The first step of your labiaplasty medical appointment is a medical assessment of the genital area, physical complaints, general health and lifestyle;
Surgical plan
Depending on the medical diagnosis, the surgical treatment plan is designed to improve the appearance of the genitalia and to eliminate the associated discomfort;
Detailed explanation
During your labiaplasty medical appointment, a personalized treatment plan will be presented and you will understand the risks of surgery, pre- and post-operative care, and the results you can expect;
Quote
After the medical appointment, you will be presented with an exact price for the labiaplasty. This will depend on the diagnosis and complexity of the procedure.
TYPE OF ANESTHESIA
Labial reduction is a relatively simple surgery, usually performed with mild sedation and local anesthesia. However, the type of anesthesia may vary according to the complexity of the procedure. The anesthesiologist will be present throughout the whole procedure for greater patient comfort and safety. The patient can usually return home on the same day, after a few hours.
TYPE OF INCISION - SCAR
One of the issues that concerns patients the most is how scars will look. The scars from Labiaplasty are practically imperceptible as they are “hidden” within the natural folds of the labia. The protruding labia are excised in a “V” shape and the upper and lower edges are sutured together, generating a small, transversal suture line. The incisions are closed using absorbable suture threads, which spontaneously fall a few days after surgery. The area will be healed about 30 days past.
LABIAPLASTY SURGERY
STEP BY STEP
SEDATION
Mild sedation is administered intravenously by the anesthesiologist who will be present throughout the surgery;
LOCAL ANESTHESIA
The local anesthetic is injected into the area to be treated;
MARKINGS
The skin to be removed is marked;
DISINFECTION
The area to be treated is cleansed and disinfected to prevent infection. Operative fields are placed to isolate the genital area from the external environment;
INTERVENTION
Excess skin is removed from the labia minora and on the clitoral hood, if necessary. Labial symmetry is checked before suture;
INCISIONS CLOSING
The incisions are closed using small suture threads, which are either absorbed by the body or fall off spontaneously after a few days, not needing to be removed.
POST-ANESTHESIA CARE
The patient is transferred to the recovery room where she remains under observation. Discharge is expected a few hours after surgery.
PREPARATION FOR LABIAPLASTY
Before surgery:
- Do not take anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin in the 10 days prior to the surgery;
- Do not take any weight loss medication the month before surgery;
- You must be fasting since midnight on surgery day (not even water is to be consumed);
- All pubic hair must be removed;
- Do not smoke during the month prior to surgery, and, after surgery, while healing. Smokers have a higher risk of complications, namely worse healing and tissue oxygenation;
- Carefully read the documentation provided before the surgery, as doubts may arise;
- If you get sick or feel ill in any way in the days prior to the surgery, you must immediately inform the medical team;
- All social and professional activities must be programmed in order to guarantee complete rest in the two days following the surgery;
- Do you have questions about labiaplasty preparation or postoperative care? Do not wait for the day of surgery and ask all your questions beforehand.
Surgery day:
- Dry fast since midnight;
- Shower with the prescribed antiseptic shower gel the day before and the day of surgery, to prevent infections.
- One hour before surgery, apply a thick layer of the anesthetic cream prescribed on inner labia area;
- Shave all pubic hair, preferably a few days before the surgery, to avoid sensitivity in the area to be treated;
- Bring loose and comfortable clothes to wear when you are discharged;
- You can neither drive nor go home unaccompanied. You must be permanently accompanied for the first 24 to 48 hours, as you may need assistance.
- You must plan your social and professional life in order to guarantee you can rest for two to three days after the surgery.
Recovery and postoperative care
- You may feel some pain and discomfort in the first few days;
- The recovery period is different for every person, but it takes an average of 2 to 3 days to return to work (non-physical work);
- Take all the prescribed medication according to the instructions of the medical team;
- Wash the treated area with Betadine Vaginal Foam;
- Avoid any kind of effort in the first 8 days;
- Rest during the first few days and gradually return to your routine;
- Do not get direct sun exposure;
- Do not smoke;
- important action to avoid bruising and reduce edema;
BENEFITS OF LABIAPLASTY
The results of labial reduction are satisfactory and long lasting. Improving the appearance of the genitalia contributes to increased confidence and self-esteem. Some of the benefits of labiaplasty include:
- Improved appearance of the genitalia;
- Improved confidence and self-esteem;
- Improved couple intimacy;
- Greater comfort in day-to-day life and physical activity;
- Greater freedom to wear tighter and less concealing clothes.
Specialist Doctors
About
Dr. Luísa Magalhães Ramos / Plastic Surgery
PORTUGUESE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, Nr. 42810
Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, she specialized in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.
Throughout her training, she subspecialized in aesthetic plastic surgery, having worked in world-renowned clinics.
Currently, she is mainly dedicated to face and breast aesthetic plastic surgery and to intimate female surgery.
About
Dr. Alice Varanda Pereira / Plastic Surgery
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association, Nr. 47051
Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, she completed her master’s degree in human sexuality and is currently developing her PhD at this same institution.
She joined the University faculty academic staff in 2008 as a lecturer of the Institute of Anatomy. It is in this unit that she produces most of her research projects, mainly in the area of surgical anatomy, whilst also supervising master’s thesis for undergraduate students.
About
Dr. Mariana da Rocha Martins / Plastic Surgery
Member of The Portuguese Medical Association – Nr. 55124
Graduated by the Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Porto and specialized in reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery at Hospital de São José, in Lisbon.
Throughout her specific training in plastic surgery, she worked in internationally renowned institutions such as Institut Kaplan (Barcelona), La Clinic (Montreux) and Great Ormond Street Hospital (London).
FAQ about
Intimate surgery vaginal Labiaplasty
IS LABIAPLASTY A SAFE SURGERY?
Yes. Labiaplasty is a surgery with a relatively low degree of complexity and very safe, provided that it is performed in an accredited clinic and by a reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeon, enrolled with the Portuguese Medical Association, and with several years of experience in performing female intimate surgeries.
HOW MUCH DOES A LABIAPLASTY COST IN LISBON?
The price of a labiaplasty depends on the degree of complexity and combination of procedures. Often, the labial reduction is combined with other intimate surgeries such as reduction of the clitoral hood, liposuction of the mons Venus, labia majora augmentation with a fat transfer or hyaluronic acid, and Colporrhaphy (vaginal wall repair). The exact price of the labiaplasty is disclosed during the medical appointment after diagnosis and identification of the problem to be treated.
AT WHAT AGE DOES LABIAL HYPERTROPHY MANIFEST ITSELF?
Although most of the changes in the female genitalia are related to advancing age, there are other factors that can contribute to an abnormal labia growth at any age: hormonal changes, pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, some medications and the use of anabolic steroids.
AT WHAT AGE CAN A LABIAPLASTY BE PERFORMED?
Labiaplasty can be performed whenever there is an indication for surgery, regardless of the patient’s age. Surgery is often performed by more mature women for aesthetic reasons and also to correct the changes that have occurred with pregnancy. It is also performed by very young patients as labial hypertrophy can be very embarrassing and affect one’s quality of life.
DO SCARS DISAPPEAR?
All surgical intervention leaves scars and labiaplasty is no exception. However, because the inner labia are not exposed, the scars will be hidden and imperceptible.
IS THE RECOVERY VERY PAINFUL?
When recovering from a labiaplasty it will take only 2 to 3 days to get back to effortless activities. There may be some discomfort and moderate pain in the first few days, but recovery is not usually very painful. Taking the prescribed pain killers relieves the associated discomfort and will make recovery more tolerable.
WHEN CAN I RESUME PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY?
Initial recovery is relatively quick, but in order to achieve good healing, there can be no sexual activity or exercise for about 4 weeks. Failure to comply with these indications may result in surgical wounds reopening, eventually needing to be sutured and compromising the end result.
CAN SURGERY CAUSE LOSS OF SENSITIVITY?
Most sensitivity changes after a labiaplasty are transient and due to postoperative edema. The reduction of the labia minora is a very superficial surgery in which only excess skin is eliminated, thus not interfering with the nerve endings in the clitoris region.
ARE THERE ALTERNATIVE NON-SURGICAL PROCEDURES TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE INNER LABIA?
Labiaplasty consists in reducing the size of the inner labia by cutting excess skin. The only available ways to eliminate excess skin are through excision using a scalpel or laser.
IS THE RESULT VISIBLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SURGERY?
Immediately after the labiaplasty, edema is to be expected, which can distort the result. As the edema subsides, the outcome of the surgery will begin to be visible. This usually happens after the first week. The final result is expected 6 to 12 months after the procedure.
CAN LABIA GROW AFTER SURGERY?
The results of labiaplasty are long-lasting and permanent if there are no adjacent untreated causes. On the other hand, if after the surgery, the patient has significant fluctuations in weight, suffers from hormonal problems or diseases, gets pregnant or takes anabolic steroids, the result of the surgery may be compromised.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF THE SURGERY?
Every surgery involves risks, deriving from anesthesia and surgical technique. The most common risks in a labiaplasty are: bad reaction to anesthesia, infection, hematoma, prolonged edema, sensitivity alterations, irregularities, asymmetry, prolonged or unsightly scarring. The possible risks and complications of a labiaplasty will be thoroughly explained during the medical appointment.
