Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is a procedure that can redefine the appearance of the labia, also known as the vaginal lips, by shortening or reshaping them. ⁽¹⁾ Women seek labiaplasties for many reasons. Some are dissatisfied with the appearance of their labia, experience discomfort from long or bulging labia, or have difficulty with pants, undergarments, and bathing suits. ⁽¹⁾ As a result of these issues, they may experience low self-esteem. ⁽¹⁾ Unlike other areas of your body, the size and shape of the labia majora and labia minora cannot be addressed by diet and exercise, but rather require surgical intervention.

At Avante Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ahmad Ahmadi and his experienced team want to ensure that the women of Houston and beyond have the opportunity to feel better about themselves and more confident in their bodies with labiaplasty. To learn more about this surgery, how it’s performed, and what it can do for your specific situation, please call either our Houston or Sugar Land office at (281) 265-2639 to set up a personal consultation. You can also request an appointment or more information by filling out our contact form.

About Labiaplasty

While there is no one way labia should look, many women prefer the aesthetic appearance of labia that are symmetrical and short enough so that they do not protrude underneath clothing or stand out in bathing suits. ⁽¹⁾ In some cases, patients also consider the clitoral hood to be uncomfortably long, and wish to reduce the amount of excess skin. ⁽¹⁾ A labiaplasty can achieve these results through several different methods, each with the end goal of patient satisfaction and confidence.

At Avante Plastic Surgery, we offer two broad types of labiaplasty surgeries: edge trimming and wedge resection. Edge trimming is when Dr. Ahmadi removes the edge of each labia to reduce the portion visible outside of the labia majora or the outer skin. A wedge resection involves the removal of a triangular wedge of tissue from the labia, which is followed by suturing the remaining portions back together. The wedge resection technique is also a way to tighten the vaginal opening with minimal scarring.

In some situations, Dr. Ahmadi may utilize the clitoral hood reduction technique, which can decrease the chance of scarring around the clitoris. Dr. Ahmadi determines what technique to use based on the patient’s goals in order to provide a more aesthetically pleasing vaginal appearance.

Benefits of Labiaplasty

Patients who choose labiaplasty enjoy many benefits, such as:

Candidates

The best candidates for a labiaplasty are women who are in good overall health, are over 18 years of age, and have realistic expectations relating to the outcome of the procedure. Women may also be good candidates for a labiaplasty if they experience any of the following:

Personal Consultation

The first step toward getting a labiaplasty in Houston or Sugar Land is to contact Avante Plastic Surgery and schedule a personal consultation. When you come in for your appointment, you will meet with Dr. Ahmadi and have the time and space to express any concerns or aesthetic goals you have regarding your labia. He will also ask you questions regarding your lifestyle and medical history, followed by a physical examination. Dr. Ahmadi and the team at Avante Plastic Surgery fully understand the intimate nature of this consultation and prioritize discretion, confidentiality, and patient comfort. Any information you provide during this consultation will only be used to ensure that we can provide you with the best results and reduce any unnecessary risks. Once you and Dr. Ahmadi discuss a personalized procedural plan that is most in line with your goals, our patient coordinator will help you schedule the date and time of your labiaplasty. We will also provide you with any instructions you will need before your surgery.

Preparation

Dr. Ahmadi will make sure that you have all the information you will need to be prepared for your labiaplasty. These instructions will include avoiding certain medications and supplements, such as those that have anti-inflammatory or blood-thinning effects. About 30 minutes before your procedure, we will provide antibiotics. ⁽¹⁾

Dr. Ahmadi will also recommend that, if you smoke, you should stop before your procedure to help your body along in the healing process. You will need to make certain arrangements, such as taking time off of work and asking a trusted individual to drive you home from the procedure. You can prepare your house by stocking up on food and supplies so that you can prioritize resting and healing for the next several days.

Procedure

The labiaplasty procedure is performed under either local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia we will use during your procedure will depend on the extent of the procedure and your unique situation. The specifics of the procedure will also vary greatly depending on the appearance of the labia and the patient’s personal preferences. In most cases, a labiaplasty will only take between 1-2 hours. There are several different methods that we can use during a labiaplasty and each address the labia in different ways. Dr. Ahmadi will assess the treatment area and determine the best surgical technique to address your specific needs and cosmetic goals.

Central Wedge Resection

During central wedge resectioning, Dr. Ahmadi will remove a V-shaped piece of tissue beginning at the highest point near the labial edge and continuing to the most prominent part of the labium. Dr. Ahmadi will perform this on both sides. Central wedge resectioning maintains the natural edge of the labia, allowing for a natural appearance. ⁽¹⁾

De-epithelialization

De-epithelialization during a labiaplasty is when a graft or flap is removed from the inner faces of the labia, thinning out the total thickness of the skin layer. ⁽²⁾ This technique will only reduce the thickness of the labia and offer some shaping, but will not address the length of the labia. ⁽²⁾

Edge Resection

Edge resection, also known as edge trimming, consists of making an incision along the other edge of the enlarged labia in order to remove any thick or discolored excess skin. ⁽²⁾ During this technique, Dr. Ahmadi can also adjust the shape of the labia. Edge resection shortens the length of the labia and can be applied to labia of almost all shapes and sizes. ⁽²⁾

Clitoral Unhooding

Also known as a clitoral hood reduction, this technique reduces the size and area of the clitoral hood, or the skin covering the clitoral glans, in order to further expose the clitoral glans. ⁽¹⁾ To do this, Dr. Ahmadi will carefully remove a small area of skin from the clitoral hood. ⁽¹⁾ Clitoral unhooding can enhance the appearance of the vaginal area while also possibly improving sensitivity. ⁽¹⁾

Laser Labiaplasty

Dr. Ahmadi can use a laser to remove excess tissue from the labia minora. Using a laser is a precise way to make the labia smaller and more symmetrical. This technique is advantageous because it can help minimize bleeding during a labiaplasty procedure.

Recovery

After the labiaplasty procedure, you will be able to return home to rest. You should have a trusted individual drive you home, as you may be sore and still feeling the effects of anesthesia. We encourage our patients to take at least a week off from work to heal, as there will be some mild-to-moderate pain and swelling that can make sitting uncomfortable. Dr. Ahmadi will prescribe temporary pain medication to alleviate the discomfort you may feel during the initial stages of your recovery. We will also provide you with instructions on how to optimize your healing process, which will include using ice packs and refraining from tampon usage and sexual activity for about 4-5 weeks. Any scars you get from your treatment tend to fade within a few weeks to a couple of months.

Results

After a labiaplasty, patients enjoy the results of a vulva appearance that is more in line with their personal preferences. Patients may feel more confident in certain clothes, bathing suits, and intimate situations. Most of our patients will see their final results once the treated area has fully healed, usually around 4-6 months after the procedure. Results from a labiaplasty are mostly permanent, but childbirth and aging can further alter the appearance of the labia.

Dr. Ahmadi will have you return to the office within a week after your procedure to remove any sutures or bandages and make sure that you are healing properly. After this initial follow-up, you can expect to return about 2 months after surgery, and then again around 6 months. Dr. Ahmadi will always let you know when he thinks you should return next at the end of each appointment.

Cost of Labiaplasty in Houston

The cost of a labiaplasty in Houston is based on a variety of factors, such as the changes that will be made and the techniques that Dr. Ahmadi will use. After your personal consultation, our patient coordinator will be able to provide you with the pricing of your personalized treatment. To find out more about pricing, call either our Houston or Sugar Land office at (281) 265-2639 and ask about a personal consultation. You can also reach out to us through our contact form.

References

1. Willis RN, Wong CS, Pai A, Patel BC. Labiaplasty Minora Reduction. PubMed. Published 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448086/ 
2. Lange M, J. Joris Hage, Karim RB, Amant F. An Algorithm for Labia Minora Reduction Based on a Review of Anatomical, Configurational, and Individual Considerations. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2022;50(01):017-025. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1938-0991