Has anyone had (or know much about) a labiaplasty? GP can’t answer questions ...

[healthadvicename]

I had a labiaplasty done years ago when I was 18 or 19 via the nhs . Majority of my inner labia was removed . Needed to be done because of a genetic condition .

At the time I didn’t ask many questions, I don’t think I thought much about the future, and I always attended appointments alone so there wasn’t anyone to sort of ask questions for me .

I’m now older and wanting to have children, but thinking about it I’m not sure I could give birth naturally . I can see where they removed a lot of skin, there’s a lot of scarring and it’s quite uneven in places - it doesn’t look totally natural . There’s quite an obvious scar line where I was stitched up .

I did ask my GP during my last smear what her thoughts were and she said she’s no idea - said it isn’t a common surgery at all especially in young women before childbirth and as such they can’t really advise .

Am I right to think if I did conceive I’d probably be advised a caesarean, I’m guessing I’d be at a bigger risk of tearing ?

Cant see any difficulty in conception if you can have smears/ penetrative sex.

With regarding delivery of a baby your GP should get advise from your original surgeon.

I don't know the answer to your question, but as someone who's had two elective c sections please don't let that put you off trying to conceive.

How long ago was the surgery?

Ask your GP to re-refer you to gynae so you can speak to a consultant about your concerns about childbirth and tearing etc as your GP couldn’t provide any information/reassurance when you asked them.

In terms of the negative aesthetics, you would be best off speaking to a cosmetic surgeon if you want to get it revised. For the most part, the NHS doesn’t offer cosmetic surgery so they wouldn’t have focused on aesthetics whilst operating on you, there was probably a disclaimer in your consent form regarding asymmetry/scaring as a side effect.

You can always speak to the gynae consultant regarding your aesthetic concerns too though, they might think a revision is necessary (equally they may not)

You'll be routinely referred to an obstetrician early on in any pregnancy to discuss mode of delivery because of your previous surgery.

Isn't a labiaplasty external sugery. I can't see how that would impede vaginal birth. Worse case scenario would be a labial tear because of scar tissue which could be repaired. In some ways having had the surgery you might psychologically be in a better position to relax and not worry about the change to that area after birth. Your vulva us already a survivor!