Labiaplasty?

[AsCuteAsByeBye]

Hi everyone,

I am hopelessly posting here for traffic. Apologies I know it's annoying. I have started a few threads about this before under chat and health but got barely any replies so I'm shooting my shot here to see if I can get any feedback. NC for obvious reasons but I've been here a while and post frequently.

I am looking to get a labiaplasty in the near future and wondered if anyone has had one, or any experiences please?

I've always been incredibly conscious of my labia. It's mostly for medical reasons, as I get a lot of pain wearing most everyday clothes, when I exercise, have sex etc. I've been prescribed topical creams for this but it doesn't help when the blood circulation is lost when they get caught and it can be extremely painful. They aren't too 'long' - probably about a centimetre outside of my labia majora, but they still get caught an awful lot.

There is also a small part of me that wants to do it cosmetically. I know it's 'normal' but I am now 30 years old and have felt like this for 18 years.

Has anyone had the surgery? How was the recovery and are you glad you did it? Any regrets?

I'm aware that menopause can shrink them but this doesn't worry me. I don't want to waste the next potentially 15 years or more just to finally have smaller labia at menopause age - I would like to reap the benefits of doing this when I'm young(ish) so the recovery may be a bit easier at this age. I also don't want to be having miserable sex now for many years to come.

TIA all, any advice welcome.

Sorry but I can’t remember! I do remember getting a mild infection afterwards and having to go onto antibiotics so that probably took ten days to clear. I went on a walking holiday a few weeks later and didn’t have any problems - eg walking/wearing shorts etc. But It didn’t affect my sex life because I don’t think I had a partner for a year after that.

BTW, well done for going through with it!

@LocationChange thank you!

I'm currently sat in a sitz bath. I've been so desperate to have a bath but I called the hospital and they said I could have a short 15 minute shallow sitz bath so I'm making the most out of that. The swelling has got quite significant today but I'm already pleased with the results so far. From what I've read I should start to turn a corner after the first week.

Stitches feel very tight. I'm on antibiotics now so hopefully will prevent infection.

I'm still bleeding a little but hoping to air dry today and leave it open so will be spending the day at home on the sofa or wrapping some presents. Soreness is going down, I'm still very tender but it's not as stingy.

Hello just wondering if anyone can advise on the recovery please? I’m due my surgery next month and only having two days off work but allowed to work from home.
also due on my period so was going to see about the tablets to delay this

I had one in my 20s. Best thing I did. I constantly used to feel like I was catching myself and it was so painful.
It was done under general, looked a bit like raw meat after and did sting for a bit but it made a massive difference. I remember one day soon after it was stinging like a bitch. I thought it'd be a good idea to put bonjela on it for the numbing effect. Do not try that at home. 😂

Hello! Mine is completely healed. It was sore for a week later but I don't need to finish the painkillers they gave me. I had antibiotics but it's fine. All healed and I'm so happy with the results!

Do it you won't regret it. It's been the biggest confidence booster for me and no more painful knickers or jeans!

Bonjela 😭

I cannot imagine how much that burnt!!!
Glad you've got no regrets for the surgery though. It really is a game changer isn't it.

I watched a programme years ago where instead of cutting off the flaps/lips, he used a laser and the healing time was much faster and the end result much neater.

That's what I had done.

You cannot see any scar tissue at all whatsoever. It's very neat!

Hi! I'm really looking into this at the moment, wonder if you can give me the step process you went through and any recommendations for surgeons or surgery you choose and where you went for it? 😊 I saw you said you went through Nuffield!

Thanks in advance and hope you're happy with yours!

Hi! I'm really looking into this at the moment, wonder if you can give me the step process you went through and any recommendations for surgeons or surgery you choose and where you went for it? 😊 I saw you said you went through Nuffield!

Thanks in advance and hope you're happy with yours!

I wish I’d done mine after having children. I have a huge varicose vein in one and it can swell up and rub especially after lots of walking or running. I’ve looked at all the ‘that’s normal’ pictures and it’s made me realise how abnormal mine really are. Good for you!

My worry would be scarring and the possible loss of sensitivity. I looked into it a long time ago and decided not worth the risk.

Just wanted to say that I don’t think many people judge those who get this surgery in the way you might think. Personally I think it is sad that people feel the need to get surgery when it is purely for cosmetic reasons - it is a failure of society that people feel the need to do so to fit stereotypes of (frankly patriarchal) standards of beauty, but it is not a failure of the women who do so.

In your case, where it is causing actual physical problems too, I cannot imagine anyone judging you badly for getting it done. So please don’t worry about judgement. Good luck, OP.

Jessica Ann Pin has lots of info about labiaplasty!! Id advise caution as even if it's for medical reasons (I'd absolutely advise against it for purely cosmetic reasons) education for surgery on the vulva isn't all it should be. Pin had labiaplasty where the surgeon cut her clitoris(??!?!) and she has sexual dysfunction, due to medical textbooks at the time not including detailed clitoral anatomy.
I've also heard (as with some/many types of cosmetic surgeries) of surgeons cutting off more than agreed too due their own preferences etc.

I'm sure you have already, but maybe seeking out other women with similar troubles might have advice - most women have labia minora longer than the majora so perhaps there's something else than just the size causing your troubles?

Sorry I can't be more help, and best of luck with everything! ❤️

There's a much lesser risk with laser than cutting. I don't have any visible scar tissue and I'm only 3 months post op.

I saw lots of her posts on TT before I decided to go ahead. I researched for a long time and also the techniques used.

I used a constant Ob / Gynae instead of a plastic surgeon to lessen the risk. :)

Hello!

Of course.

www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/mr-gans-thiagamoorthy

Highly recommend. The consultation was very thorough. He practices at Guildford and Woking. :)

Hi! Thank you so much! Sorry for the questions, you don't find many people posting about it publicly so it's hard to find actual patient experiences!

Did you go straight through him on that site and book a consult?

What was the time it took from consultation to surgery? And how much was it?

I know it will be different for everyone of course. You mentioned you had laser and that sounds like a better route but not sure if that's only for particular parts!

Thanks so much!

@Meepmoon so welcome!

Total cost was £4,100. That was for the first consultation.

He has about an 8-12 week wait but I had a cancellation. I asked him to put me forward for any cancellations and he had one there and then at the consultation so was booked in for the following week.

The hospital staff, theatre staff and everybody was lovely. Went home with lots of pain killers (which I'll be honest I didn't need to finish) and antibiotics.
I've had a final follow up with him and he's happy for me to be discharged.

I have absolutely zero regrets it's been one of the best things I've ever done.

Hey! You have convinced me to go ahead with this and you seem to be from the same area as me. The doctor you recommended is not far from me which is a bonus. I’m going to book in a consultation with him. Would love to chat to you in more detail though about the procedure. Would that be okay? So thrilled for you!

Hey, yes of course! Feel free to PM me :)

I had it done when I was 18.

No regrets. It was a very simple procedure and I looked so much better down there as a result. They were too long and I was so embarrassed by them. I'm so grateful that I plucked up the courage to go to the doctor as a teenager.

Definitely worth doing!