What is Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty, also spelled Labioplasty, or the reduction & beautification of the large labia is fast becoming as common, popular and socially accepted as a Breast Augmentation, Liposuction and many other cosmetic procedures. Public awareness of Labia surgery has grown considerably due to articles featuring this procedure in Elle and New Woman magazines. Labiaplasty was mentioned to be the "hottest procedure in Hollywood today" by Dr. Robert Rey on Dr. 90210 recently.



Click here to visit the Labiaplasty gallery for larger before and after photos.

Labiaplasty of the large labia (labia minora and labia majora) is the reduction of the outward appearance, the correction of asymmetric or misshapen labia or other related female genital irregularities. Being born with enlarged labia, or the development of enlarged labia through childbirth or age, can all be factors that may cause discomfort during physical activities such as sports or sexual intercourse, irritation when wearing certain clothing, pain, self-esteem issues or embarrassment for many women. Labiaplasty enhances and reduces the large labia relieving many of the physical and emotional issues by contouring the labia majora (outer lips) and the labia minora (inner lips).

Many people confuse Labiaplasty with Vaginoplasty but they are not the same. Vaginoplasty or Vaginal Rejuvenation is a surgical procedure helping many women, such as those who have experienced multiple childbirths, by surgically tightening and therefore enhancing vaginal sensitivity.

In the past, Labiaplasty has been a very sensitive issue, but today's woman is seeking "vaginal beautification" making appearance the primary reason for this procedure. Also known as Labia sculpting, this procedure reduces the length of the genitalia and changes the external appearance of the Mons Pubis, (the fatty area under the pubic hair) through Liposuction, greatly improving the aesthetic appearance of abnormally enlarged labia, as well as helping to rebuild a woman's confidence. At a reasonable cost with minimal recovery time, women can look and feel great thanks to this minor outpatient surgical procedure.

What is Dr. Grover's Technique?

Dr. Grover's technique is a variation of that described by Dr. Alter in 1998; this technique was described by Dr. Francisco Giraldo of Spain in 2004, in the journal, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. This technique is "designed to reduce enlargement of the labia minora while at the same time (preserve) the…aesthetic appearance of the labia minora with minimal if any morphologic changes, maintaining postoperatively the entire anatomy of the labia minora…and the functional outcome of the newly formed labia minora as an important erogenous structure". This technique uses a "wedge resection of the most redundant and visible portion, ensuring minimal, if any, deformity…with the use of a 90-degree Z-plasty to assemble the labia minora". This "permits a non-tense suture line…thereby avoiding not only potential wound problems…but also any potential tightening of the vaginal introitus…sexual function of the nymphae is preserved because tissue removal is undertaken without violation of the base of the labia minora". Dr. Grover's chosen technique has many advantages as it "remains simple, safe and reproducible…there is genital rejuvenation of the labia minora, which becomes smaller and finer…there is minimal morbidity of the remnant labial tissue, with no impairment of sensation or sexual dysfunction…there is no alteration of the morphology of the free border…and there are no defects or painful, retractile scars on the surfaces of the labia minora". Dr. Grover performs this procedure in an outpatient surgery center under either general anesthesia or "twilight" IV sedation and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete this procedure.

Who is the Best Candidate for Labiaplasty?

If you are a fully, developed, healthy woman with vaginal irregularities, such as long or hanging genetalia (vaginal lips), you may benefit from this procedure. As a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Grover can discuss realistic expectations, recovery and most importantly, if you are a candidate for this surgery.

What is the recovery like?

Recovery from Labiaplasty is very minimal. You may experience bruising or swelling although most of Dr. Grover's patients have very little, if any, as a result of his technique. Limitation to your wardrobe is necessary as tight or constricting clothing may cause irritation from rubbing against the surgical site. Depending on your profession, you may return to work in a few days but must avoid heavy exercise up to three weeks, sexual activity for six to eight weeks and tampon use for ten days. Normal activity may resume between five to eight weeks with final results to be apparent between three to six months. Scarring is also very minimal as they are very fine lines and are hidden between the natural creases making it very difficult to notice.

Although clitoral sensation may be improved because of the removed tissue, it is important to keep in mind that this is not the intended effect of this procedure.

Are there any complications and risks?

As with any surgical procedure, there are complications and risks associated with that procedure. Although uncommon, patients may experience temporary numbness, discoloration, thickness or unevenness of the labia. Infection may also occur but oral antibiotics are prescribed to reduce that risk.