Recovery following vaginoplasty procedure can take several weeks, but the cosmetic surgeon will usually allow the patient to resume their normal routine after the first week. The treated sites should be kept clean to minimize infection risks. If absorbable sutures have been used, they will dissolve in about three to four weeks.
The surgeon may prescribe an antibiotic ointment to be used in the incision lines twice a day for the first two weeks. Sexual activity may have to be avoided for at least one month to allow the incisions to heal well.
Outstanding and committed plastic surgeon Dr. Paul McCluskey provides vaginoplasty to patients in Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and surrounding locations in The Peach State.
Mild Discomfort, Bruising and Swelling
Most patients will experience mild post-operative discomfort. The surgeon may prescribe some pain meds to help with the initial symptoms. Some amount of bruising and swelling will occur in almost every case of vaginoplasty. Bruising will resolve quickly, but swelling will mitigate gradually over several weeks.
Icing the incision sites in the first two days will help to reduce swelling. The cosmetic surgeon will recommend the patient to wear comfortable, loose fitting undergarments and clothing until the healing is better. Tighter clothing can cause friction with the incisions, which can hurt and prolong recovery. Tampons should be avoided during initial recovery and pads may be used according to the surgeon’s advice.
First Month of Recovery
From the second week onwards, most patients can return to their normal routine or go back to work. But they should increase their physical activities only gradually. Lifting of heavy objects should be avoided for the entire first month. Jogging, power walking, aerobics or impact exercises should be avoided, but normal walking is encouraged.
The patient may have a watery or sticky discharge and experience even more spotting as the sutures absorb and break. Minor wound edges may open up and separate in a few cases. But this is not a serious concern because the tissue in labiaplasty is repaired in multiple layers, so the risk of the wound opening up entirely is rare.
Minor wound separation of the edges will often heal from the bottom up and the patient will not see any traces of wound separation in a few months.
Next Few Months
After the first month, if the patient still experiences mild soreness in the incisions, she may wait an additional week or two before resuming more strenuous activities. Patients who have received laser resurfacing may have to wait for a longer period for normal coloration to be restored.
If the patient experiences abnormal bleeding, has an odorous discharge, has high fever or has increased swelling around the labia or vulva, she should promptly contact the surgeon’s office. In normal cases, the patient can begin the vaginal softening exercises as per the surgeon’s advice at about week six.
These exercises can help improve the results and restore the vaginal strength. Sagacious and impressive plastic surgeon Dr. McCluskey receives patients from Atlanta, Buckhead, Georgia, and other neighborhoods and suburbs in this area of the country for vaginoplasty and various other cosmetic and reconstructive procedures.
For more information on procedures and treatments offered by Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Paul McCluskey and the Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, visit: