Labiaplasty

[Sparklykittycat]

Not AIBU however, I’m just curious if anyone has had the labiaplasty procedure and how it went for them? I have had issues with self esteem over this since I was 16 years old and have wanted it done for 12 years now. I experience painful chaffing, cycling and it getting stuck, pulled and swollen in certain underwear or clothing. I have been quoted extortionate prices however that was maybe 10 years ago so I’m thinking this may have changed. I’m also considering going abroad for the procedure if I have to.

If you had have it done was it worth it? Has it healed properly/caused any implications? I’ve read some horror stories about losing sensation or permanent scarring etc.

Apologies if this thread goes against the mumsnet rules, I really just want to hear from those that have had it so I can weigh up the pros and cons. Thank you!

I’ve had one as I hated the way it looked! I love it now, surgery and recovery were easy (and I had a boob job at the same time). For me it was totally worth the cost and time

My friend has she had really large labia. Jeans were uncomfortable, caused rubbing and swelling. Underwear squashed her lips. She was so depressed and lived in leggings. She said the healing was very painful but doesn’t regret it at all as she’s now comfortable in her body and can wear clothes comfortably

I had it done anout 4 years ago, I was 37 and spent years of being self conscious about down below but also caused problems rubbing in tight clothing etc, never felt clean down there and one side was bigger than the other...had to sort of adjust myself before we DTD.
It seemed to look worse after having kids too.
Anyway, I went private, think it cost about £2k...went into surgery in the morning, had GA and was home in the afternoon. Had painkillers for a few days and was back to work as normal the day after. I have a desk job so just took it easy for a few days.
Feel so much better a day glad I had it done.

It’s a lady, I’ll have to dig out the paperwork. I looked into it last year but had a lot of work stuff to balance so I’ve not had a chance yet. I’m likely to have my boobs done at the same time which is what I went in for originally, I mentioned to her how sore I get and she said she will only carry out labiaplasty if it was justified rather than ‘looks’ but when she examined me she agreed straight away, apparently I have scarring that’s over healed so caused extra growth ( I have similar on other scars but couldn’t care less on those)

I’m encouraged by this thread, I think I’ll get mine booked in.

@Redcherries do you mind pm’ming me her name please? I wouldn’t go to the expense for looks but I’d be interested to hear what a surgeon says.

@redcherries I totally agree, not to mention getting stuck during the monthly visitor or finding its way through the cute lace lingerie and cutting off the circulation making you wriggle uncomfortably throughout meetings but I feel that some people are afraid to speak up in the fear of being judged. The gynecologist said it can be done as a medical procedure because of the constant uti’s which may be a contributing factor but he didn’t say what method is typically used which also makes me think I’d rather go privately than look completely botched and be worse off

@monkeytapper did you get the procedure done abroad as I’ve been checking prices online and the cheapest I’ve found in uk is 4K

I had one in my early 20's as I had Padget's disease. (Normally a breast cancer, but I got lucky - My gynaecologist noticed it in a Pap smear and knew what it was. It was all gone before I had time to think about it, and as it was all encapsulated, I had no further treatment.). Meanwhile, it is erectile tissue, so after sex, it can be a bit, ummmm tender along the scars. (They did leave the good bit, thanks for asking!). Also because of the nature of the area - it's not clean and it's always rather humid, I had a nasty infection for weeks and weeks afterwards. I had to go in every morning and my doctor debrided the area with iodine swabs. Not fun, not dignified, and not good for my knickers. Apart from that, no problems. Everything else in good working order, and it's about 25 years ago now.

I had it done at Nuffield Hospital , Leeds, West Yorkshire. Paid it over a year as the year did an interest free option, might have been a little over £2k added consultation fees etc.

I had one of my labia trimmed after it stretched during childbirth.

My gynecologist did it during a prolapse repair surgery.

I did it for me and I’m so glad I did, it wasn’t painful and

@justilou was the tenderness just for a little while after surgery or has it continued ever since as I’ve read so many horror stories about people being in constant pain and wishing they just suffered through the pain they originally had or that sometimes they remove too much

@monkeytapper thank you I’m going to look into that. Did they use any particular method (wedge or straight incision) is the scarring noticeable or do you have any issues with tenderness etc since having it done?

@Sparklykittycat it was the wedge procedure. Only issue I had was side effects of painkillers, gave me constipation. No scarring at all and no tenderness down below . It certainly isn't a 'designer vagina' or what I would call a 'porn' vagina......that I mean it's not perfect. It's just much neater, nothing 'hanging down' now. I can wear tight jeans, nicer underwear, feel fresher now, not self conscious ( even though hubby said it wasn't a problem for him anyway) but was an issue for me.
When I was a kid I used to horseride and it was uncomfortable for me, but just always thought everyone must feel the same.
Was only when I was watching 'Naked Attraction' a few years ago as was like 'hang on, why aren't all these ladies flaps hanging down?'.....of course some of them had larger labia but nothing like mine......I know we all come in different shapes and sizes but mine were a LOT bigger than 'normal'.

I have large labia and for years felt self conscious about them and as though I needed to get labiaplasty eventually

Tbh it's mostly unnecessary unless there's some health risks. Since having sex I have lost my fear of how supposedly ugly it all was down there.

Basic hygiene and taking care to prevent chafing (use ph balanced powder, cotton underwear, avoiding very tight pants) and working to improve your self confidence are more cost effective than a whole surgical procedure.

Plus, once the extra is taken off you can never have it put back on. The vaginas in porn are completely unrealistic and it's fine to have one in other shapes and colours

Thanks @monkeytapper it’s good to actually hear the positive side of it too. For me it’s not necessarily about appearance although it could look better but just to be able to get through a day without having to readjust

@asleepallday basic hygiene still doesn’t stop the uti’s or the pain and swelling that is caused when trying to participate in certain sports. I agree that some women want the procedure for purely aesthetic reasons but I feel that’s the main reason that people who are genuinely in pain feel less likely to talk in fear of being judged. I’m so glad I finally had the courage to talk to my gynecologist and have been told it could actually prevent uti’s and help boost confidence

AsleepAllDay my friend couldn’t find a comfortable pair of jeans or trousers unless they had a lower crotch and basically lived in leggings and it had a massive impact on her. The pain and swelling from chafing hurt to the point she wasn’t having a lot of sex.

Hi had laser treatment on mine, Thermiva... mine were not very large but it neatened them up! Also had inside tightened this way. Worth every penny! It was £1200

I have that problem myself - UTIs several times a year at least and some clothes are a no-go due to chafing. But on balance an irreversible surgical procedure wouldn't be worthwhile for me. If you can get it through the NHS & fully feel comfortable at it (rather than wanting a different looking vulva - I've seen people on this thread refer to 'normal' looking fannies as if what you have isn't actually normal) then go ahead

@miniloso that’s the first I’ve heard of that treatment it seems less invasive which would obviously be a plus and something worth looking in to. Did you have to go for a few sessions of laser or it’s just a once off treatment?

@asleepallday if you’re comfortable in your own body that’s great. It’s not necessarily the look of it but the pain which sometimes leaves me as a bystander in certain sports in order not to be walking funny for the next week

@sparklykittycat I had two sessions with www.theshalbourne.co.uk/consultants/mr-david-griffiths
I should have a top up yearly but haven’t needed to yet after 2 years.

@sparklykitty - it’s still a thing 25 yrs later. Basically because there is a seam of scar tissue running down the middle of where my labia majora used to be. Because it is erectile tissue with a scar in it, it gets very tight. Normally too busy to care at the time, but notice a little discomfort afterwards. Nothing awful though!!!! Just a slight discomfort.

@Sparklykittycat did you ever get this surgery done? I've joined mumsnet specifically to ask about anyone's experience of labiaplasty.