Prepared by

Dr Charles CopeMBBS BSc(Med) FRACS

SUMMARY

Labioplasty changes the appearanceof the inner labia, and improvessymptoms of irritation if present.Labioplasty will increase your self-confidence and allow you to wearnormal clothing and to participate in everyday activities withoutembarrassment.

A patient guide to understanding

LabioplastyPRACTICE LOCATIONS

North Shore Cosmetic Surgery is a group of PlasticSurgeons dedicated to providing a high standardof service to the North Shore.

All members are Fellows of the Royal AustralianCollege of Surgeons, Australian Society of PlasticSurgeons and Australian Society of AestheticPlastic Surgeons, and have been trained to thehighest possible standards.

North Shore Cosmetic Surgery provides acomprehensive range of cosmetic andreconstructive plastic surgery procedures,as well as a full range of ancillarytreatments.

Level 1, 357 Military RdMosman 2088

Suite 507 SAN ClinicWahroonga 2076

www.drcharlescope.com.au

www.infinityskin.com.au

FOR ALL APPOINTMENTS CALL

9908 3033

INTRODUCTION

Labioplasty reduces the size of the labia minora, thefolds of skin or inner lips at the entrance of thevagina. There is considerable variation of the sizeand shape of the labia minora. Some women withlarge inner labia which extend past the outer vaginallips (labia majora) experience discomfort duringeveryday activities, sport and intercourse, and havedifficulty wearing tight-fitting clothing. Others do notlike the appearance or feel embarrassed by theprominence of their labia in swimming costumes orother revealing or tight-fitting clothing, and this canalso be a source of sexual embarrassment.

Labioplasty can alsobe performed tocorrect a difference insize between the leftand right sides, or tocorrect stretching or achange in shape thatcan occur withchildbirth.

About one-third of patients having labioplasty havethe operation for purely cosmetic reasons, but inpatients with symptoms of irritation with tight fittingclothing or sports, or other medical problems,labioplasty will improve your symptoms.Labioplasty will increase your self-confidence andallow you to wear normal clothing and to participatein activities such as swimming withoutembarrassment.

PREPARING FOR THE SURGERY

It is important to discuss with your surgeon anypre-existing medical conditions which you mayhave, as well as any history of bad scarring. It isimportant to stop smoking at least a few weeksbefore the surgery – smoking increases thechance of healing problems after the surgery.Aspirin, anti-inflammatory medications egNurofen, and some vitamins and herbalmedications can cause bleeding and also need tobe stopped 10 days before the surgery.

You will need to discuss what results you areexpecting from the surgery, and your surgeon willbe able to show you some photos of otherpatients who have had the procedure.

THE SURGERY

The surgery is usually performed as a day-stayprocedure in hospital, and is usually performedunder general anaesthetic. During the procedurethe excess tissue is removed, and most patientsrequest that the labia minora do not show pastthe level of the labia majora (outer lips), or arereduced to the level of the outer lips. Theprocedure does not change the appearance ofthe clitoral area (reduction of the clitoral skin arearisks change in sensation), and depending onyour individual anatomy labioplasty can make theclitoral area relatively more prominent. The scarsare hidden below the level of the labia majora andusually cannot be seen long-term. All sutures aredissolving and do not need to be removed.

AFTER THE SURGERY

There is always some bruising and swelling afterthe surgery, which can be minimised by restingquietly and minimising activity for a few days.Labioplasty is not a particularly painful operation.You can shower normally the day after surgery.Most patients return to normal everyday activitiesincluding driving and work within a week. It isimportant to restrict heavier activities includingsport and the gym for a few weeks, with nosexual activity for 3-4 weeks. The final result isoften not apparent until 6-8 weeks.