Surgery to Repair a Labiaplasty
Today more women than ever before are choosing to undergo vaginal cosmetic surgery to repair either a functional or aesthetic feature about their vagina that bothers them. Each procedure is different based on the type of surgery performed as well as the goals and anatomy of the individual patient and although most surgeries create dramatic and extremely satisfactory results: unfortunately some vaginal surgeries lead to complications, displeasing appearances, and in general very unhappy patients. At The Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta, Dr. Paul McCluskey has helped many women who have received less than desirable results from previous labiaplasty reductions. Botched labiaplasties are labiaplasty surgeries performed on patients that result in poor cosmetic surgical outcomes for the patient that usually (but not always) occur because the surgeon performing the procedure lacked the necessary experience, expertise, and skill. As the popularity of labiaplasty increases, unfortunately the number of cases requiring labiaplasty revisions is also increasing as unqualified surgeons attempt to perform labiaplasty without the knowledge of the basic principles of aesthetic vaginal surgery.
Labiaplasty or labiaplasty means surgically molding the labia of the vagina and it is a surgical procedure that reduces and/or reshapes the labia minora or the skin that covers the female clitoris and vaginal opening. Problems with the labia can be caused by genetics, injury, aging, or childbirth and women with an abnormal labia can suffer pain during intercourse, experience discomfort when performing everyday activities, or they may feel extremely self-conscious when wearing tight-fitting clothing. Others feel inadequate and unattractive and many wish to enhance their sexual experience by removing some of the excess skin that covers their clitoris. The purpose of a labiaplasty is to better define the inner labia and during this procedure the urethral opening can be redefined and if necessary improvements to the vagina can also be made as well.
The Normal Vagina
To define what is a normal or abnormal labia, it is important to understand the external anatomy of the female genitalia that includes:
- Labia Majora—The larger outer lips made up of skin and fatty tissue extending from the mons pubis towards the anus. The mons pubis is the fat pad tissue right over the pubic bone transitioning to the anterior abdominal wall and the labia majora surrounds the labia minora and the vaginal opening.
- Labia Minora—The labia minora is made up of skin folds extending from above the clitoris (a portion called the prepuce) and down along both sides of the opening of the vagina towards the anus to merge with the labia majora at the posterior forchette. The skin is on the outer surface of the labia minora and the mucosa is made up of the same tissue material as the vagina on the inner surface of the labia minora. The nature of the inner mucosal surface of the labia minora facilitates sexual intercourse as they are rich in nerve endings that are sensitive to touch and the labia minora contains a core of erectile connectives that swell and moisten with extracellular fluid during sexual arousal.
Evaluation for Labiaplasty Repair
A proper evaluation of the aesthetic and functional concerns of your female genitalia after a botched labia reduction will include a thorough history to explore any psychological, sexual, and physical concerns relating to your negative experience. The end result may not only be physical damage to the labia, a “botched” labiaplasty can result in psychological damage to the patient as well. The deformities from your labia reduction can usually be reconstructed to restore a normal appearance using a wide assortment of plastic surgical techniques however it is crucial that you choose a qualified surgeon such as Dr. McCluskey who understands the best way to revise a “botched” labiaplasty. During your consultation, he will be sensitive to your concerns not taking your traumatic occurrence lightly and he will never minimize your anxiety as he knows you have a right to look and feel your best at all times. After proper evaluation, Dr. McCluskey will design a customized treatment plan and determine the best course of treatment regarding the aesthetics and functional revision of your genitalia.
The Labiaplasty Repair Procedure
Moving tissues without injuring the blood supply requires complex plastic surgical techniques and Dr. McCluskey is experienced in reconstructive surgery for labiaplasty as well as other aesthetic surgeries of the vagina. After a failed labiaplasty, a patient typically needs at least five months of healing to allow a new blood supply and many times patients and surgeons rush to fix a botched procedure by operating too soon or by removing more tissue. The length of a labiaplasty revision surgery or restoration labiaplasty surgery depends on your vaginal deformity and the required labiaplasty reconstruction. The labiaplasty revision surgery can take as little as one hour or as long as 4-5 hours since the cosmetic vaginal surgery revision of a botched labiaplasty is much more difficult than the initial labia reduction so the time of labiaplasty revision surgery may be longer.
Labiaplasty Repair Recovery
Labiaplasty repair is usually only mildly painful with most women return to work in 3-4 days. You will need to apply ice and antibiotic ointment for two days and in most cases you will be allowed to shower the first day after surgery. The sutures will dissolve on their own and you will be able to resume exercise and sexual intercourse in 6-8 weeks following your procedure depending on your healing capabilities. If you have had a labiaplasty procedure that you are not pleased with and you need help to repair your “botched” labia reduction, please call The Plastic Surgery Institute of Atlanta today and let us schedule your appointment with Dr. Paul McCluskey.