The appearance of a woman’s genital area may cause her significant discomfort, self-consciousness or embarrassment. Addressing women’s concerns about this anatomical area with various types of labiaplasty has become a more common aspect of plastic surgery. There are numerous reasons why women may want to improve the appearance of their labia (vaginal lips) or clitoral hood. For some, there is redundant tissue of the labia minora (the inner leaflets), causing excessive friction, rashes and pain during physical or sexual activities. Others may find that the labia majora (the outer, hair bearing parts) have become thinned out and droopy, and wish to have their volume and shape restored to a more youthful appearance. In some women there is additional hooding of the clitoris, with redundant skin coverage in that area. Asymmetry of the inner or outer labia, where one side or part is larger, thicker or fleshier than the other, may be congenital or develop as a result of trauma or scarring.
Plastic surgery offers many possible solutions for these and other concerns women may have related to their external genitalia. Commonly referred to as labiaplasty, there are various techniques that seek to address each woman’s specific needs. Excess tissue may be trimmed to provide less bulkiness, fillers or fat may be injected to restore volume, and combinations of procedures are possible to provide a unique, individualized treatment plan for each patient. Women should have realistic expectations and understand that full recovery from these procedures usually requires several weeks of abstinence from sexual activity as well as from physical exercise. Often labiaplasty is performed in conjunction with other plastic surgery procedures, such as breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants, liposuction or tummy tuck (abdominoplasty).
Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board certified female plastic surgeon in NYC with advance specialty training in aesthetic plastic surgery. Her office on Manhattan’s Upper East Side boasts a fully accredited AAAASF Operating Room for the convenience, safety and privacy of her patients. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hutchinson, contact us or call us at (212) 452-1400.
