Vaginoplasty Surgery Risks, Complications, and Recovery

As with any surgical procedure, there are certain general risks involved, and of course, specific risks directly relating to the surgery. General risks include bleeding, infection, anesthesia sickness/problems, inflammation, allergic reactions to antibiotics or other medications, pain (although generally minor or controlled with medications).

For vaginoplasty, risks include the above, but also can include necrosis, or pathogen-related issues and sickness. Typically, recovery after vaginal rejuvenation is LESS stressful than a second child delivery.  Vaginoplasty is generally a SLIGHTLY more complex surgery than labiaplasty, as was already described, but the basic post-operative instructions are similar.  You’ll usually need 2-3 days of rest—icing the surgical area for the first 48-72 hours—then heat afterwards if there is minor swelling.  Showering and dabbing the surgical area dry and applying antibiotic ointment to the external stitches is recommended.  Most patients return to work in 2-3 days unless they do combination vaginoplasty/labiaplasty, which requires 6-7 days off work.  There should be no strenuous exercise for twenty-three (23) days.  After that, bathing or Sitz bathes will help the stitches dissolve—return to normal exercise and activity is permitted at this point.  At four (4) weeks post-op the use of a small toy, vaginally, is recommended to dilate the vaginal canal—acclimating oneself to the newly rejuvenated vagina. If the use of a vaginal dilator is comfortable, then a return to gentle sexual activity at 5 ½-6 weeks is the norm.  Complete healing is thirteen (13) weeks as with any surgery.  Rarely, (less than 8%) is there a 2nd stage need for additional tightening or loosening. Prophylactic antibiotics are also prescribed but infection is generally very, very low, usually less than 5% of all cases.