Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery

One of the most frequently performed female genitalia cosmetic surgery, labiaplasty involves surgical modification of either the labia majora (the ‘lower-lips’ of female genitalia) or the labia minora. It generally involves the reduction of the size of labia minora. It is also done to preserve the contours and the shape of the labia majora and retain the colors on the edge. It can be done using the following procedure, depending on choice and case requirements:

1. V-wedge resection
2. Inferior wedge resection
3. Curvilinear resection
4. Superior pedicle flap reconstruction, etc.

It is generally performed as aesthetic cosmetic surgery. But it is also done to relieve women from the discomfort caused due to twisting and tugging of the labia that may be caused during intercourse or in high-intensity physical activities or bike riding.

It is also done to reduce the size of the lips of the labia minora to avoid their hanging out from the labia majora. Labiaplasty may also be done to correct any asymmetry in the labia majora or minora. Age-related changes in Labia majora can be undone by fat transfer technique, which can create fullness in the labia majora.

Before the surgery, local or general anesthesia may be given. The procedure commonly involves trimming of the tissues to reduce the size of the labia and then stitching of the incisions so made. Alternatively, a wedge procedure may be chosen wherein a pie-shaped piece of the tissue is surgically removed while maintaining a natural border of the labia. The incisions in this procedure are closed using absorbable sutures.

The recovery in most cases takes a week or two, during which the female may experience mild swelling and pain which can be reduced by ice packs. You will be required to wear loose clothing and underwear to avoid any kind of friction. Wearing tampons or sexual activity can be resumed after four to six weeks from the surgery.

Hymenoplasty or hymen reconstruction surgery is the female genitalia cosmetic surgery that involves restoring the hymen. The hymen is a fleshy ring-shaped membrane present at the entrance of the vagina. Though the functional utility of a hymen is unclear till now, infamously it is often associated with a woman’s virginity.

A hymen may break due to several reasons, such as sexual intercourse or physical activities or sports injuries, or even stretching of the leg. In some women, the hymen may not even be present. For any of the previously stated reasons, the hymen tissue may break into a star-shape and women may experience some bleeding due to the rupture. Though it may not be a necessary procedure for any kind of reasons, some may choose to have their hymen restored for purely personal reasons or choices.

The procedure is fairly simple and small. In hymenoplasty, using different procedures as needed, the hymen is reconnected and restored, leaving a small hole for menstruation and vaginal discharge.

In most cases, a tear-away biological material is implanted at the entrance of the vagina to mirror a hymen. For the procedure, incisions are made on the two ends of the mucosa lining the vaginal walls and these two ends are joined creating a membrane that duplicates a hymen.

The recovery is not complex or long as the procedure is minimally invasive. You may be required to rest for about a day or two. Physical and sexual activities may be resumed only a few weeks after the procedure.

Vaginoplasty is the female genitalia surgery performed to tighten the vaginal canal. Apart from a surgical process, this goal may even be achieved through a non-invasive tightening procedure that involves the heating of tissues using laser or radiofrequency waves. But this alternative procedure may not be beneficial for persons with greater than usual laxity in the vagina.

Vaginoplasty may be chosen for several reasons. The most common reason is that after childbirth, some women experience vaginal laxity caused to stretching of the tissues and separation of muscles during child delivery. This may also result in sexual dysfunction among other reasons for the same.

A vaginoplasty rejuvenates or brings back together the separated tissues and muscles in the vaginal area and excess mucosa skin is removed from the back of the vagina.

During a consultation with the surgeon, it is important that you discuss your desired results and the amount of tightening wanted. To prepare for the surgery, general anesthesia is given. And a bowel preparation needs to be done by the patient before the surgery. As per the pre-decided extent of tightening, a pie-shaped wedge is marked to distinguish the area of the mucosa to be removed from the inside. After the removal of this skin, the muscles underneath it are tightened with sutures and closed. After this tightening is done, the mucosal skin is closed with sutures.

After the surgery, you may be required to take time off and rest for at least a week or two. During this recovery period, you may experience pain for a few days, for which you take prescribed medication. You will be required to completely put off the use of tampons and abstain from intercourse, for about 6-8 weeks.