Do you feel embarrassed or self-conscious about your most intimate area, due to unusually shaped labia? Perhaps you suffer pain and discomfort due to elongated labia that rub against tight-fitting clothing or certain types of exercise machines. Whether elongated or oddly shaped labia are causing you physical or emotional discomfort, female cosmetic surgeon Dr. Florence Mussat can help. The female plastic surgeon performs labiaplasty in Chicago to reduce the size of overly enlarged labia or provide a sense of symmetry to unusually shaped labia, to help restore her patients’ sense of femininity and self-confidence.
Appropriate Labiaplasty Candidates
To establish candidacy for labiaplasty, it is best to visit Dr. Mussat at her Chicago plastic surgery practice for a consultation. That way, she can listen to your aesthetic and physical concerns and examine the treatment area before recommending a treatment protocol that will satisfy your anatomical needs and help you reach your goals for the procedure. Nonetheless, appropriate labiaplasty candidates generally include women who:
- Feel self-conscious about excessively large, elongated or unusually shaped labia
- Perhaps suffer physical discomfort or pain when wearing tight-fitting clothing or performing certain activities, such as riding a bicycle
- Are in good overall health
- Understand both the possible risks and rewards of surgery, and feel the advantages outweigh the potential drawbacks
- Are pursuing labiaplasty of their own volition
About the Labiaplasty Procedure
Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure, performed under general anesthesia. The duration of surgery is about an hour, depending on the extent of the patient’s surgical needs.
To perform labiaplasty, Dr. Mussat excises the excess labial tissue. There are two main techniques used to accomplish this: the trim and wedge methods. With the trim method, Dr. Mussat simply excises excess labial skin from the outer edge and closes the incision with sutures. The main benefit of this method is that the labia may appear more pink after surgery, as the often-darker outer edge of each labium is removed, which is the preferred aesthetic outcome for some patients. However, there may be a greater chance of decrease or loss of labia sensitivity with this technique.
With the wedge method, the plastic surgeon removes a v-shaped wedge from the labia, preserving the outer edges of the labia. She then uses sutures to bring the edges of the resulting open space together and hold them in place. This technique helps preserve the natural shape of the outer edges of the labia. Nevertheless, there may be an increased chance of wound separation during the recovery period.
Again, during consultation, female plastic surgeon Dr. Mussat will help you decide which method is appropriate to satisfy your unique anatomical needs and aesthetic goals.
When Revision Labiaplasty Is Needed
The goal of primary labiaplasty is to remove excess labia tissue and provide a symmetrical look throughout the treatment area. Sometimes, surgeons who are less experienced than Dr. Mussat can provide undesirable results. In some cases the labia are not symmetrical after surgery. In others, not enough labia tissue is removed. And some patients may experience surgical complications, such as infection.
Whatever reason for having revision labiaplasty may be, female plastic surgeon Dr. Mussat can perform the secondary procedure to improve undesirable results from a previous labiaplasty procedure. However, patients who are considering revision labiaplasty should wait until any residual swelling from the primary procedure has resolved, to get a true idea of the final outcome of the first surgery.
The Labiaplasty Recovery Period
Recovering from labiaplasty is relatively quick. The initial recovery phase takes about four or five days, during which time patients will need to use a feminine pad to protect against any fluid present. Patients should also wear loose-fitting clothing to protect the treatment area, including the incision.
After surgery, women may experience minor discomfort, but there should not be any severe pain. Usually, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever or mild prescription pain reliever helps alleviate any discomfort. In addition, applying an ice pack to the treatment area may also help relieve discomfort and reduce swelling.
Patients should abstain from vigorous activity, including exercise, for about four weeks and should refrain from sexual activity for about four to six weeks.
Although some of the aesthetic benefits of the procedure will be visible as the initial swelling subsides (in about a week after surgery), the final results are not visible for about six weeks, as this is how long it takes for the tissues to heal completely and for any residual swelling to subside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should I Consider Having Labiaplasty Surgery?
Women often chose to have labiaplasty surgery when they find that their labia minora are too large and protrude beyond the labia majora, putting the labia minora at risk of becoming irritated or even damaged.
Vaginal birth might have caused the labia to stretch considerably to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal. Alternatively, a congenital disability, something with which a woman may be born, could have caused this enlarged size.
What Labiaplasty Surgery Procedures Are There?
Labiaplasty surgery is performed to reduce the size of labial tissue or create symmetry to labia with unusual shapes. Dr. Florence Mussat, a female Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeon, offers two main techniques to accomplish this in Chicago: the wedge and trim methods. The wedge method removes a v-shaped wedge from the labia, leaving the outer edge intact. The trim method removes excess labial skin from the outer edges of the labia.
Am I a Good Candidate for Labiaplasty Chicago?
Candidates best suited for labiaplasty are generally women who experience discomfort due to the following conditions:
- Feel self-conscious about overly-large or unusually shaped labia
- Feel discomfort when wearing tight-fitting clothing or riding a bike
- Have labia that become easily chafed or pinched
You can learn more about being a candidate for labiaplasty here.
How Can Labiaplasty Boost My Self-Confidence?
After your labiaplasty procedure, you will immediately notice the results. Even with the slight swelling that can occur, your labia will be smaller and more in line with the look you were expecting.
You’ll feel better about the way you look, be able to wear snug clothes, and be confident after your recovery without having to worry about your labia being visible and pronounced. Female plastic surgeon, Dr. Mussat, is one of the best labiaplasty surgeons in Chicago who strives to give you the best results.
How Can I Prepare for Labiaplasty in Chicago?
In preparing for your labiaplasty surgery, you may be asked to undergo some pre-operative testing. You will need to stop taking any blood-thinning medications, including aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs, and to quit smoking and a few weeks before surgery. Dr. Mussat can provide you with a comprehensive and helpful list of “to do’s” before your surgery date.
What Do I Need to Know About My Labiaplasty Recovery?
While the labiaplasty procedure itself takes less than two hours, you will need to maintain certain lifestyle adjustments in place for at least six weeks afterward.
- Labiaplasty recovery is usually not painful, but you can expect some soreness for three to five days. In rare cases, tenderness can last for up to two weeks.
- For at least one full month after your labiaplasty, avoid strenuous exercise.
- Avoid the risk of tearing by abstaining from sex for six weeks after having your labiaplasty.
When Can I Return to Work After Labiaplasty?
Plan to take at least one week off work. However, if your job requires a high degree of walking or physical exercise, Dr. Mussat will customize a recovery plan for you. If you have a highly active job where you are often required to bend down or lift heavy objects, you should plan to take at least two weeks off.
Is labiaplasty painful?
No, labiaplasty should not be excessively painful. The procedure itself is performed under general anesthesia, so you will not feel anything during surgery. The recovery period is also relatively easy, and patients should only experience minor discomfort that can be relieved with mild pain medication.
How long do I have to abstain from sex following labiaplasty surgery?
Again, Dr. Mussat suggests waiting four to six weeks after surgery before having sex or engaging in sexual activity. During one of your postoperative follow-up appointments, Dr. Mussat will let you know when it is safe to resume your normal activities, including exercise and sexual intercourse.
Can I use tampons after labiaplasty?
You should wait about four to six weeks after labiaplasty before resuming tampon use. During one of the postsurgical follow-up appointments, Dr. Mussat will tell patients when it is safe to use tampons again.
Are there other vaginal rejuvenation procedures that might complement my labiaplasty procedure?
Some women pursue clitoral hoodectomy or clitoral hood reduction to remove or reduce the amount of tissue covering the clitoris, as a means of increasing clitoral sensation.
Others might pursue vaginoplasty to tighten the vaginal tissues after childbirth.
If you are interested in learning more about either procedure, please discuss this with female plastic surgeon Dr. Mussat during your consultation.
Embrace Your Femininity
Women should never have to feel embarrassed or suffer physical discomfort due to unusually shaped or enlarged labia. With labiaplasty, female plastic surgeon Dr. Mussat can shape your labia and provide a symmetrical look to reduce your discomfort — and allow you to embrace your femininity.
To schedule a private consultation with Dr. Mussat in Chicago and learn more about the aesthetic and physical benefits of labiaplasty, labiaplasty cost, and more contact her office by calling (312) 751-9000 today.