The Beginner’s Guide to Labiaplasty

As the name suggests, labiaplasty is a procedure for altering the folds of skin (or lips) of the vulva, which are called the labia minora and majora.

This form of cosmetic surgery is performed for a number of reasons, the most common of which is a reduction of the labia minora. However, there are a group of operations that fall under the term ‘labiaplasty’. In this blog, we are going to look at what they are, why people choose to have labiaplasty and what the benefits are.

History

Although labiaplasty has only recently started receiving mainstream attention, many people will be surprised to learn that the surgery has actually been around since the 1970s.

The first mentioned was in a medical paper in 1978. The article was entitled “Benign Enlargement of the Labia Minor.”

Interest in labiaplasty is at an all-time high.

Controversy

Labiaplasty has attracted controversy over the years, because it has been linked with the feminist idea of male subjection or how men want women to look. However, many women who have the procedure performed do so for their own cosmetic or functional concerns.

In 2008, the Journal of Sexual Medicine reported on women who underwent the procedure and found that:

• 32 percent wanted to correct a functional impairment
• 37 percent had the surgery only for aesthetic reasons and that
• 31 percent did so for both functional and aesthetic reasons

Why get a Labiaplasty

The human body is not perfect. Not everyone is completely satisfied with what nature endowed them or what happens to them when they age or go through childbirth. Some women feel self-conscious about their appearance when they are with their partner or when wearing a bathing suit in public.

This aesthetic dissatisfaction can lead to self-esteem issues in women, particularly those with hypertrophy, which is excess labial skin. This lack of confidence in their bodies can affect mental well-being and relationships.

Labiaplasty is not just concerned with aesthetic dissatisfaction – it can also address physiological problems. Some women complain about discomfort, irritation while exercising, or pain during intercourse. A lapiaplasty can help eliminate these issues.

How much does it cost?

Depending on the level of private health insurance and if you get pre-approval from the Medicare Claims Review Panel, labiaplasty can cost as little as $2850. It is best to check with your private health insurance provider to determine whether they will cover this treatment.

Without any sort of private health insurance, a labiaplasty will typically cost between $5,000 and $8,000. It is difficult to get a more precise figure, as it depends on the situation and what work is performed.

Dr. Richard Sadove offers payment plans with low interest rates for patients who are unable to pay for the surgery upfront. I am not allowed to advertise any form of payment plan incentive so think this should be changed to something like: “

Why it’s appealing

Increased confidence – The goal of plastic surgery is, first and foremost, to improve the quality of life. Possibly the greatest benefit of labiaplasty is that it has it can improve self-esteem.

Excess skin on the labia minora and majora can affect a woman’s confidence, especially if the labia are visible through clothing. This can be a real concern for women from a cosmetic standpoint, because the labia are visible through underwear or swimwear. Reducing this skin through a relatively easy procedure not only enhances the aesthetic appearance, but also helps the woman feel less self-conscious.

Reduces pain and discomfort – As previously mentioned, labiaplasty can also assist with functional impairment. Many patients who chose to receive treatment do so because the redundant labia cause pain and discomfort from every day activities like exercise and intercourse.

Quick and painless process – There are two main lapiaplasty techniques – the trim method and the wedge technique. Dr. Richard Sadove specialises in the wedge technique, which has advantages over the trim method because:

• It helps preserve the natural edge of the labia
• Results appear more natural
• The labia heal more quickly and with less pain

The procedure takes 1 to 2 hours and patients will receive a light general anaesthetic. When the excess tissue is removed, the wound is closed with dissolvable sutures.

Increase in popularity – More women are getting labiaplasty now than ever before. This is mainly due to increased awareness of the availability of the procedure. Overall patient satisfaction from labiaplasty, which is 95 percent, is another reason why the surgery has risen in popularity.

Conclusion

Labiaplasty has its critics, but it is important to remember that the surgery is the patient’s choice. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the procedure and to talk to experienced labiaplasty surgeons like Dr. Richard Sadove who can guide you through the process.

This blog has discussed why people decide to have labiaplasty performed while comparing the benefits and disadvantages. We hope the information presented has given you a better understanding of labiaplasty, so that you can make a well-informed decision about whether the surgery is right for your circumstances.

If you are interested in getting more information on labiaplasty surgery, please book a consultation with Dr. Richard Sadove.