Southwest Center for Female Genital Refinement
The Southwest Center for Female Genital Refinement
Labiaplasty Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the typical patient?
The typical patient who requests Labiaplasty or who is a good candidate for Labiaplasty is a patient who has enlargement of the labia that causes discomfort during sexual intercourse, discomfort with tight clothing, or irritation or skin rashes. Many times these patients will report being embarrassed about the size and shape of their labia and they may have been teased or humiliated by friends or sexual partners. The procedure can correct tears and deformities that occur during childbirth and the procedure may also eliminate stretching that may have occurred during childbearing or physical or sexual activities. In addition, the typical patient requests that the right and left labia be adjusted to become as nearly identical and proportionate as possible and also have a normal ratio between the inner vaginal lips (labia minora) and the outer vaginal lips (labia majora).
- What about the procedure?
The procedure is usually done in the office or an outpatient facility and the procedure itself involves very small incisions that allow excess tissue to be removed, and allows a visually pleasing shape to be created with the labia. There is no pain and virtually no bleeding during the surgery. Any residual scarring is nearly invisible. After the procedure , there are no sutures that need to be removed and no dressings are needed. Finally, after the incision is healed in 3-6 weeks, the patient will find that sensation and function are normal or possibly improved compared to prior to the surgery.
- What about recovery from the surgery?
The technique that Dr. Benson uses ensures that the patient is able to leave the office and go home or their hotel immediately after the surgery. The instructions are to put nothing in the vagina and wear no tight nothing or have no vigorous exercise for 3-6 weeks. Usually there are no stitches to be removed. There is only minimal pain that is typically gone by day 2 or 3 after the procedure and at its worse only requires mild oral pain medication. Dr. Benson expects his patients to resume everyday abilities and to be able to bathe or shower almost immediately and to expect minimal or no bruising. There should be no need to miss much work at all.
- What can I expect in results?
Probably the most important thing that a patient can expect from the surgery is an extreme increase in confidence and self-esteem. Frequently, patients will report that their comfort is significantly improved in regard to sexual relations and in regard to physical activities or wearing of certain clothing styles such as tight pants.
- What tests are required before surgery?
Typically, Dr. Benson requires only the usual testing required prior to any type of outpatient procedure.
- Tell me again how much it is going to hurt?
Dr. Benson uses an anesthetic procedure which usually combines a topical local, and IM/IV sedation that allows for complete comfort and no pain after surgery. There should be minimal pain after the first or second day and that pain, at its worse, should be able to be controlled with simple oral pain medication. Further, the patient can get back to work very quickly unless there are complications, where additional time away from work may be required.
- How long before I have sexual relations?
Dr. Benson feels that normally 3-6 weeks is plenty of time for the labia to heal prior to resumption of vaginal penetration.
- Tell me again whom this surgery can help?
This surgery is designed to help any woman who is embarrassed or has lost confidence and self-esteem regarding the size and shape of her inner vaginal lips (also called the labia minora). Women who have had children and even women who have not had children are good candidates for this procedure.
In many cases, women with large or misshapen labia minora will have pain during intercourse or have discomfort during day-to-day activities, especially when wearing tight fitting clothing.
Some women may feel unattractive or embarrassed by the outward appearance of their vagina and may have been, in unfortunate cases, teased or humiliated by friends or sexual partners. The purpose of Labiaplasty is to improve the external appearance of the vagina, and after the procedure, most women have less discomfort during intercourse, feel more confident about their appearance, and show tremendous improvement in their self-esteem.
- How long will it be before I can expect the final result?
Results depend on the individual and the type of surgery being performed. There may be bruising in some cases. Swelling and bruising normally resolve after 1-2 weeks, but it may take several months before the final results of the surgery are known, maybe up to 12 months as a maximum.
- How about scarring?
Any scars that are there will be nearly invisible, as this procedure is done as cosmetically as possible. Typically, over the course of a year, the scars fade and become nearly imperceptible.
- Tell me about risks of the procedure.
Any surgery has its own risks of bleeding infection, scarring, and chronic pain. This certainly relates to this procedure also. Dr. Benson takes every possible precaution to prevent any of these problems, but if these complications arise, Dr. Benson can deal with them in a timely manner.
- How much does the surgery cost?
It is important to know that patients from all walks of life and all incomes are now having this surgery, as it has become more readily available. Financing for any and all patients can typically be provided at the time of scheduling of the procedure . Unfortunately, insurance does not normally cover the cost of the surgery because it is still classified as cosmetic surgery. Please discuss your needs with Dr. Benson to alleviate any financial fears.
Vaginoplasty Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the typical patient for Vaginoplasty?
A patient who requests Vaginoplasty is usually someone who has begun to complain of decreased sensations in the vagina during intercourse or other sexual activities. Her partner may also be reporting a lack of sensation during intercourse leading to an overall decreased sense of sexual gratification for the patient, her partner, or both. This procedure is completely designed to improve sexual gratification and also improve confidence and self-esteem in the patient. Once the woman realizes that her vagina is providing excellent sensations to herself and her partner, this never fails to improve her confidence in self- esteem, not only during sexual activities but in routine day-to-day activities as well.
- How is the procedure performed?
Dr. Benson uses a combination of topical anesthetics, local anesthetics, and IV sedation to ensure the patient is comfortable during the Vaginoplasty procedure.
The procedure takes place in his office or at an outpatient surgical center. During the course of the procedure, there is no pain and very little bleeding and there will be no sutures that need to be removed.
The time needed for recovery after the Vaginoplasty procedure is approximately six weeks and the patient is able to resume normal light activities very quickly but may not resume sexual intercourse for six weeks or until completely healed.
Sensation and function are improved significantly by the Vaginoplasty procedure. There are no dressings that are needed and any post-operative pain is dealt with by using a mild oral pain medication.
- What is the recovery like?
Dr. Benson has his patients leave the office and go home or back to the hotel immediately after the surgery even if these procedures are combined. Showering or bathing is resumed immediately, although Dr. Benson will frequently recommend ice packs to the surgical area for the first 24-48 hours. There is going to be some minimal bruising and moderate swelling that resolves quickly and the patient is expected to return to work almost immediately.
- What kind of results can I expect?
First, there is a significant improvement in sexual gratification. The patient becomes anxious to experience and enjoy sexual relations and to enjoy the effect of the surgery that her partner also experiences. Overall, this leads to a tremendous increase in the woman's sense of confidence self-esteem, and ability to project those positive feelings in her day-to-day activities.
- What kind of problems does Vaginoplasty correct?
Vaginoplasty is designed to enhance sexual gratification for the woman and her sexual partner through significant tightening and narrowing of the vaginal opening, normally to a diameter of 1 1/2 to 2 fingers which is typically the first and second fingers of the surgeon's dominant hand.
Vaginoplasty allows for significantly increased stimulation during intercourse and sexual play. This leads to very positive feelings about sexual relations and leads to an increase in overall happiness and sexual receptivity. It also tends to improve the sensations for the male partner in addition to the woman.
Once a woman realizes that her vagina is providing maximum pleasure for both her and her partner, this will typically make the woman project a tremendous sense of confidence and this will affect everything that she does on a day-to-day basis.
- What if I have never had children?
Even women who have never had children can have the Vaginoplasty procedure done. Many patients over the course of time, either with sports, work or sexual ability, develop an enlarged vaginal opening. There is no reason why they cannot have their vaginal opening repaired and tightened up by Vaginoplasty.
- What if I plan to have children in the future?
There is no reason to avoid Vaginoplasty just because you are planning to have children. Yes, it is likely that if you have a vaginal delivery, your vagina will return to its loosened condition and the patient may require a repeat Vaginoplasty procedure.
Most patients are happy to undergo a second procedure in order to return to the same level of sexual gratification that they had after their original procedure.
Another option is to consider an elective Caesarian section without labor to avoid loosening the Vaginoplasty repair. A woman should be able to choose her route of delivery based on personal needs and concerns.
- How long after Vaginoplasty should I abstain from sexual relations and physical activities?
Vaginoplasty normally has a healing time of approximately six weeks and Dr. Benson does not recommend attempts at sexual intercourse prior to the six-week period.
- How much pain is there?
Vaginoplasty will have some minimal to moderate pain with mild bruising and swelling that will resolve fairly quickly. Normally, patients are discharged from the operating room and directly back to their home or hotel room and they may travel within 24 hours. In addition, pain control is dealt with through the use of mild oral pain medicines
- When I can return to work and other normal activities?
The patient should be able to return to work nearly immediately and should require minimal pain relief after the first few days after surgery. Regarding other activities, there should be no vaginal penetration for at least six weeks and no heavy lifting for an equal period of six weeks. There should also be no sports or activities where there is pressure on the surgical area, including exercises or activities that would cause pressure on the surgical area such as bicycle, horseback riding, four-wheeling, etc...