What Is The Eligibility Criteria of Undergoing Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty surgery may not be a wise option for everyone. Experts explain that the surgery should be chosen by the following women-
- Not suffering from any chronic medical conditions that can affect the results of the surgery
- Have realistic expectations from the surgery
- Experiencing pain or irritation while wearing tight clothes or bathing suit
- Experiencing chafing while riding a bike, walking, running, etc around the vagina
- Whose labia got sucked or tucked into the vagina while having sex
How Should A Woman Prepare for Labiaplasty?
To ensure that the results are close to the patient’s expectations as well as the procedure is completed without any major mishaps, doctors prescribe taking the following preparatory steps prior to the procedure-
- Drink at least 2 liters of water on a daily basis to reduce chances of dehydration
- Sleep for atleast 8 hours on a daily basis
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet including food items that are easily digestible
- Without consultation with the doctor, avoid taking any vitamin or herbal supplements
- For a tleast one week before the procedure, do not take any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or blood-thinning medicines
- It is essential to be on an empty stomach for at least 12 hours before the procedure so that there is no interference with the effects of anesthesia
What Are The Possible Risks and Complications Associated With Labiaplasty?
Every experienced gynaecologist explains that after every surgical procedure, there is a high possibility of risks and complications occurring. There’s nothing to get worked about as these risks and complications are bound to occur. Some of the risks and complications to look out for include-
- Mild swelling and bruising around the vagina
- Vaginal infections
- Vaginal dryness
- Scarring around the incisions
- Mild bleeding
- Hematoma
- Pain while engaging in sex
When To Expect Results After Labiaplasty?
You can see the results within a week or two. Due to swelling and bruising, the results may not be visible immediately. After complete recovery, women who indulge in sex for the first time after the procedure are able to experience enhanced sexual pleasure. Moreover, the patient can wear tight-fitting clothes or a bathing suit without any worry as the enlarged and hanging vaginal lips are reduced. The issue of chafing around the vagina also gets treated after the surgery.
How To Recover After Labiaplasty Surgery?
Now that you are aware of the possible risks and complications that can after labiaplasty, here are some recovery tips that patients should follow during the entire recovery period without fail-
- Do not indulge in vaginal sex
- Do not insert any tampons during menstruation instead, use sanitary napkins
- To get relief from swelling and pain, put an ice pack inside the underpants for 20 mins and then remove it for 20 mins. Repeat this cycle couple of times
- Wear only cotton, light breezy underwear as well as clothes during the recovery
- While lying on the bed, elevate your bottom by putting some extra pillows
- Take prescribed medicines and painkillers at regular intervals
What Is The Recovery Time After Labiaplasty?
After the procedure, patients generally take around 2-3 weeks to recover completely. Women are able to resume their daily activities within a couple of days after seeking proper approval from gynaecologists. Within this time period, the sutures should dissolve and possible signs of scars should also improve. On the basis of the patient’s physique and type of surgery undergone, the actual days of recovery may vary.
How to prepare for Labiaplasty
A few things to follow before labiaplasty surgery are:
- Choose the right doctor. While cosmetic vaginal surgeries can be done by both- gynecologists and plastic surgeons, it is best if you do a thorough read on your health, discomfort, needs, and expectations. Based on the same, choose a doctor that best suits your needs. Typically, an Ob-gynecologist trained in cosmetic gynecology is the safest choice
- Discuss your current health, medication, vitamin, and supplements thoroughly with your doctor. In case you are on blood thinners, your doctor would ask you to stop taking them a few days before surgery. They are known to increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
- Doctors advise abstaining from sex for a month before the procedure.
- Avoid eating or drinking anything post-midnight before the surgery. It helps avoid any complications related to anesthesia.
- Take enough rest before the surgery so that the body is fully prepared for the procedure. Get at least 9 hours of sleep.
- Do not shave the surgical site yourself. A simple cut could risk unwanted infection and septic.
What are the possible risks/ side effects of Labiaplasty?
Risks or side effects are extremely rare with advancements in medical sciences. In fact, LASER labiaplasty reduces the risk of complications to less than 5%.
However, as with any surgery, your body takes some time to heal itself. Some of the possible side effects during this time include-
- Mild bleeding
- Infection
- Hematoma
- Temporary numbness
- Chronic dryness
- Decreased sensitivity around the vulva
- Mild discomfort during sexual intercourse in the initial days of the recovery
All these side effects and risks are easily manageable with the post-operative instructions prescribed by the doctor. However, if the itching, swelling or bleeding persists even after a week, please consult your gynecologist immediately. It could be a sign of a yeast or bacterial infection. It could also be an allergic reaction to a medication. In such a case, you would need added medications.
How to recover after Labiaplasty?
- Doctors advise the following tips to quickly recover after labiaplasty:
- Take complete bed rest for the first 24 hours.
- If the site itches, swells, or pains, use ice packs to relieve the discomfort.
- As you recover, do not wipe, only gently pat dry. Keep the surgical site free of moisture and dirt.
- Start gentle walking after one day of operation. It would help with blood circulation.
- For the first 24 hours, the patient is advised to complete bed rest.
- Wear only loose-fitting cotton fabric clothes to ensure that the vaginal area is breathable, ensuring no germs are collected.
- Do not use perfumed lotions, deodorants, soaps, or vaginal washes before six weeks from the surgery. Use only clear water and make sure you keep the vagina clean and moisture-free.
- Do not use tampons or menstrual cups until your vagina completely heals from the surgery (typically 5-6 weeks). Instead, use soft sanitary pads during menstruation. Drink a lot of water. Keep yourself hydrated. It would help you heal.
- Eat meals with high fiber content. It will help make your bowel movements easier.
- Do not swim/ lift heavy weights/ physically exert yourself before complete clearance from your gynecologist.
- Resume sexual activities only after getting confirmation from the doctor that it is entirely safe.
.svg)
