Labiaplasty Risks & Recovery

Labiaplasty is an outpatient procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. After surgery, women may experience some mild discomfort and swelling, which usually disappears completely after 1-2 weeks. Labial incisions usually heal well and are rarely noticeable.

Risks

As with any operation there are certain risks. The most common risks include bleeding, infection and scarring. Although these events are usually infrequent, they sometimes can occur. Specific potential complications vary with both Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty. These will be discussed with you during your consultation for your procedure. To put the risk in perspective, pregnancy is associated with far more risk than any of these procedures.

Recovery

After your surgery you’ll be taken to the Recovery Room where specially trained nurses will monitor your vital signs and attend to you until you are ready to leave (usually in an hour or so). You’ll return to your hotel where you’ll rest until the next morning.

Your surgeon will check your condition the next morning and apply new dressings (bandages). He’ll also give you instructions, both written and verbally, concerning your post-operative condition, including advice on your daily routine and activities. Then, you’re free to go home.

During your healing process, your surgeon will be in contact with you by telephone so he can monitor your progress. He is also available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week for any questions you might have about your condition.

If a problem arises that your surgeon feels cannot be handled by telephone contact, he’ll instruct you to check with your family doctor or go to the nearest Emergency Room. Your surgeon will also be in contact with your doctor(s).

You can return to work usually 3 to 4 days after surgery. If you have more than one procedure you can usually return to work in 6 to 7 days. It is strongly recommended that you use no tampons, no thong or g-string underwear, or have sex for about 6 weeks. As with any surgery, complete healing can take up to 3 months.