Some women are born with asymmetrical labia. Others, however, experience unwanted changes in their intimate area after childbirth or due to aging. Do you feel unhappy or dissatisfied with how your vaginal area looks as you’ve gotten older or after having a child? At Female Plastic Surgery Associates of Tennessee in Franklin, TN, we perform labiaplasty to repair and restore the appearance of the intimate area.

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to minimize the size or the length of the labia minora, which is the skin that surrounds the vaginal opening. If you are unhappy with how your labia minora looks, you may choose to have this procedure. The labia can expand out as a result of childbirth or aging. In some circumstances, the skin around the labia majora may cause you discomfort, especially when wearing tight clothing.

Do you experience low self-esteem and poor self-confidence because of asymmetrical or oversized labia? It might be embarrassing for you to wear tight clothing or be intimate with your partner when you are concerned about the appearance of your private area. In this case, the procedure will restore your self-confidence, allowing you to feel more secure in how you look.

Wearing a bikini, tight leggings, or even jeans can cause discomfort when you have asymmetrical labia. By choosing to get the procedure, you’ll be able to enjoy more fashion choices that will make you feel more expressive. You’ll also have the freedom to choose flattering clothes without worrying about noticeable lines or bulges.

Your pleasure during intercourse can be affected when self-consciousness or embarrassment gets in the way. Furthermore, when you have asymmetrical vaginal lips, you may experience discomfort during intercourse when the excess genital tissue is pulled or rubbed. Surgery can prevent these problems and boost your sexual confidence, making sexual activity more pleasurable and comfortable.

The inner labia have sensitive tissues that can quickly become inflamed because of sexual mactivity or tight clothing. In addition, exercising, such as jogging or cycling, can cause pain when excess genital tissue is twisted, chafed, or pinched. With surgery, excess tissue is removed so that you can enjoy these normal activities without pain and discomfort.

Excess tissue in the genital area can cause increased bacteria buildup. Urinary tract infections, which can be severe and painful, are more likely when you have an oversized inner labium. Surgery may help avoid infections and other health problems.

The surgery typically takes one to two hours. Each procedure is tailored to meet your expectations. Generally, our goal is to have the labia minora tucked into the labia majora so that the genital area looks more natural and contained when you stand up. You’ll have a smaller, less prominent inner labia with a more “tucked in” appearance.

Definitely! Some women choose to combine labiaplasty with additional cosmetic surgeries such as a breast lift with implants, tummy tuck, and so on. When labiaplasty is performed in combination with other procedures, the surgery is performed in a surgical center or hospital under general anesthesia.

Our plastic surgery team performs labiaplasty as an outpatient procedure. First, we will cleanse and initially numb the labia and skin folds using a topical numbing medication. Once the area is numb, a series of local numbing anesthetic injections will be used to completely numb the area, ensuring you will feel no pain during the process.

Next, we will make the required incisions in the labia minora or labia majora to reshape and remove excess skin. The number of incisions made varies per individual. By suturing, we permanently position the skin folds in their new, desirable shape. The sutures used will dissolve on their own as the labia heals over the next few weeks.

Full recovery from the procedure can take one to two weeks. Therefore, we recommend that you take some time off from work or physical activities so you can focus on healing. Generally, you can return to work after about a week following the surgery.

While you may resume light activities after a week or two, you’ll need to abstain from sexual activity after the procedure. It’s a good idea to wait several weeks before engaging in sexual activity again. You may also need to wait at least four weeks before returning to the gym or beginning a new fitness plan. Once you have fully recovered, you should feel like yourself again, but with a boost in self-confidence.