- Overview of Patient Resources
- How to Choose a Surgeon
- Risks and Recovery
- Surgical Techniques
- What to Expect
- Before and After Photos
- Costs and Financing
- Botched Labiaplasty
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Articles, Books and Clinical Studies
- Outside Resources
Overview of Patient Resources
There’s a lot of information out there about labiaplasty and vaginoplasty. There’s even more information available when you add perineoplasty, clitoral unhooding, rectocele and cystocele repairs, and FCGS procedures. It’s not easy to sort through the medical verbiage, and even more difficult when selecting a surgeon for your procedure. It’s easy to make a mistake and choose someone that might not yield a good result—when you could have had a great result.
You only have one set of labia. If too much tissue is taken off (amputation), or if the wrong technique is applied, or if your surgeon hasn’t performed this delicate surgery ON A REGULAR BASIS, you could end up being very, very, very, sorry.
Below is the information you will need to make an educated decision about having labiaplasty or vaginoplasty.
- How to Choose a Surgeon
- Which Surgical Technique is Best for me
- What are the Risks and Recovery times
- What to Expect when having surgery
- What are the Costs and Financing options
- View Before and After Photos
- I’m not happy with my results, what do I do now
- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
- Articles, books, and outside resources for women
How to Choose a Surgeon
Selecting a proverbial “All-Star” for your surgery is not as easy as it may seem. The reason is because there’s a lot of Internet claims coming from many different sources about who is the best at performing labiaplasty and vaginoplasty. Unfortunately, much of this is just chatter—claims of expertise that are largely unsubstantiated from surgeons who have limited knowledge or experience about the best techniques, or those not trained in these procedures. Most horrifying of all are those surgeons documenting few or no procedures performed on a regular basis. This last area—performing labiaplasty and vaginoplasty on a regular basis—is critical! It takes hours of training to be proficient. And, repetition ensures consistent results . . . so you don’t become a surgeon’s test subject.
“The most important decision you’ll make is NOT whether to have a labiaplasty, or vaginoplasty procedure performed . . . the MOST important decision you’ll make is to find the best surgeon for the procedure.”
Risks and Recovery
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
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.
Click on a procedure below for more information.
Which Labiaplasty Technique is Best
Labiaplasty techniques vary greatly. Some apply to labiaplasty minora reduction . . . others apply to labiaplasty majora reduction/sculpting. Other techniques are specific to Reduction of Clitoral Hood (RCH). Also, it’s very important to note that there are considerable differences and indications between labiaplasty labia minora (LP-m) techniques, and labiaplasty labia majora (LP-M) techniques. The vast majority of labiaplasty surgery is performed for labia minora issues as mentioned prior, usually on younger women. In more rare instances, labiaplasty of the majora, (LP-M) specifically among middle age or older women, or in cases where significant weight loss may have occurred may be recommended. Issues relating to majora reduction can range from discomfort with clothing/fitting, due to hypertrophic (enlarged) labia majora, to infection of vaginal regions due to the excess tissue making it difficult to administer proper cleansing and hygiene. As the vast majority of labiaplasty procedures are on the minora structures, we will not address what is termed “majoraplasty” procedures, which can greatly vary depending on application.
What to expect when having Labiaplasty
Typically, a two-night stay is required for out-of-town patients. Your surgeon’s office staff can assist in the arrangement of hotel accommodations (staying at their recommended hotel usually includes a discount for their patients.)
Most women arrive the day before surgery. The next morning you are scheduled for pre-op tests which usually include your medical history, a physical, blood tests, and consent forms. You will then meet with the surgeon for an evaluation and to discuss your expectations. If he believes you are a good candidate for surgery you will then proceed to the operating room that day. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE THAT UPON MEETING WITH YOUR SURGEON, HE MAY DECIDE NOT TO PERFORM SURGERY IF HE BELIEVES YOU ARE NOT A GOOD CANDIDATE.
Labiaplasty Before & After Photos
It is important that the viewer of this web site realize and understand that the results displayed in the before and after pictures are SPECIFIC to each patient who has had a surgical procedure performed and that the results viewed in the before and after pictures CANNOT be a measure or guarantee to the viewer that they will achieve the same results, as all patients are different in their surgical healing and recovery processes.
Labiaplasty Costs & Financing
Cost varies from surgeon to surgeon, depending on their location. Patients should never rely on the cost of a procedure as the sole factor when selecting their surgeon. You should feel confident in the surgeon’s work, their manner, and their stated expectations on the surgical outcome. Read more about choosing a Labiaplasty Surgeon.
The prices listed below show a general range of prices. Each of our surgeons have their own pricing within this range. Visit our Labiaplasty Surgeon Locations page to select an experienced labiaplasty surgeon near you.
View our Costs & Financing page for more information.
- Labiaplasty $3,000 – $8,000
- Vaginoplasty $4,500 – $9,000
- Clitoral Unhooding $2,000 – $4,000
Botched Labiaplasty
Your vagina and vulva are treasured assets. Do not trust them to a general Gyn who cannot PROVE to you that he or she has either taken a specialized course in Genital Plastics, or has performed (and can show you the before and after photos to prove it) at least 25 procedures (over 50; over 100 is best..!) Your first procedure is your very best chance to do things professionally and avoid poor results at best, and mutilation at worst.
Labiaplasty Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I FINANCE MY PROCEDURE?
For your convenience, we accept VISA, Master Card, Discover and American Express. Some surgeons even have financing through approved, reliable companies. Your surgeon’s office can give you all the details, either before or at your consultation. At the time you decide to book your procedure a 50% down payment is required. Final payment is due during the final pre-op visit.
WHAT TESTS ARE REQUIRED BEFORE MY SURGERY?
All patients undergoing surgery will require basic blood and urine tests as well as a pregnancy test for women. Your doctor will advise you accordingly during your consultation.
IF I’VE NOT HAD CHILDREN, CAN I STILL HAVE A VAGINOPLASTY PROCEDURE?
Generally, YES! Depending on your individual circumstances you may be a candidate for vaginoplasty. One does not have to have had children to be a candidate for the vaginoplasty procedure, and it is performed quite frequently on women without children. If you are planning to have children, it is recommended you wait until you have completed childbearing to have the procedure.
IS THERE A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER THE VAGINOPLASTY OR LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE WHEN I MUST REFRAIN FROM SEXUAL ACTIVITY?
As with any type of surgical procedure, there is usually a period of time needed for the body to heal. Generally, you should refrain from any type of sexual intercourse (vaginal penetration) for a period of 4-6 weeks. Your doctor would advise you if there was a change in this waiting period.
Articles, Books and Clinical Studies
Resources Specific to Diseases and Conditions Affecting Women and Girls
American Diabetes Association – Information and statistics on women and diabetes including related-complications, pregnancy and birth control.
American Cancer Society – Information on specific cancers, early detection prevention and more; contains specific information on cancers that affect women.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Breast Implant Information – A website for girls and women considering breast implants, and for those who already have implants and want more information.
Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education (FORE) – Dedicated to eliminating osteoporosis through research, education and bonedensity testing programs.
Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry – Education, information and peer support for women at high risk of ovarian cancer.
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation – Dedicated to preventing, detecting and treating gynecologic cancers.
Menopause Society – North America – Nonprofit scientific organization devoted to promoting women’s health and
quality of life through an understanding of menopause.
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program – Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program – Center for Disease Control & Prevention.
National Cervical Cancer Coalition – Treatment and prevention of cervical cancer.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition – Providing public information and education about ovarian cancer on a
national level.