Doctors Explain How to Avoid Botched Labiaplasty

Doctors Explain How to Avoid Botched Labiaplasty

If you're not familiar, labiaplasty is a surgical procedure designed to reduce the size of the labia minora: Smaller inner vaginal lips so they don't hang below the labia majora, which is the larger outer labia.

One of the main purposes of labiaplasty is to not show the labia minora while standing. This surgery is the most common aesthetic procedure among surgeries for female genitalia.

Despite its recent rise in popularity, labiaplasty is still not a common procedure. Although sometimes performed only for cosmetic reasons, labiaplasty can also help relieve discomfort or irritation that may result from large inner labia.

In this article we prepared for those who are considering labiaplasty, our doctors explained what should be considered in this surgery and the problems that can be experienced after a poorly performed treatment:

Gynecologist Evrim Aksoy MD:

“When done correctly, labiaplasty has a high satisfaction rate and low complication rate.

My patients state that as soon as they wake up from the surgery, they feel a sudden change as if a weight has been lifted from their shoulders, they feel more confident, they are no longer in pain in their sexual life, and they can perform their daily activities painlessly.

Unfortunately, labiaplasty is not always done properly. And when things go wrong, surgery can cause excruciating pain, complicating hygiene.

There are many ways labiaplasty can lead to a poor outcome, but the two most common are:

• Removal of too much or too little tissue,
• Suture-related scarring from using the wrong suture technique and/or material

I definitely recommend that it be done by a specialist doctor.

Gynecologist Yuliya Doster MD:

“Anyone considering labiaplasty should definitely do their homework well. There is nothing more important than choosing an experienced surgeon.

The biggest problem in incorrectly performed labiaplasty is the lack of education. It is necessary to know the anatomy of the female genital area very well.

It is very important that the doctor has received a special education. A successful surgeon knows that it is not just about the labio minora. Because there are other anatomical parts to consider.

The most important of these are the clitoris cap (or prepuce), which houses the clitoris, and the frenulum, a tissue protrusion that connects the clitoris to the upper labio minora.

The surgeon should not cut this support tissue when correcting the labia, because if cut, this will cause the clitoris to rise and the patient may suddenly lose their senses.

That's why when choosing a doctor, go to baby websites and see if they have a special page about labiaplasty. Look at their training, not just their specialist training, but also their advanced training.”

Gynecologist Timucin Timuroglu MD:

“There are about a dozen techniques for performing a labiaplasty operation, but most are versions of two main procedures: trim and wedge…

Trim labiaplasty involves "cutting" excess labia minora along its entire length. It shortens them and pulls them inside the outer lips so that they do not stick out.

In the wedge technique, a wedge of tissue is removed from the central, more voluminous part of the labia minora. The remaining tissue is then rejoined, which pulls the entire length of the tissue tighter.

Each technique has its pros and cons: For example, the trim technique completely removes the darker, thicker edge texture that many women dislike, while the wedge technique removes only the central, darkest part.

The wedge is on the upper side, protecting the natural edge of the labia and giving a more natural finish, has a higher complication rate than the trim method, and has a slightly longer recovery time.

The biggest problem with both techniques is that they are not done correctly. Therefore, the choice of doctor is very important.

Plastic Surgeon Murat Gurel MD:

“There are also functional issues to be considered in labiaplasty surgery. Women's lip tissue actually has a reason.

These folds of skin protect the opening of the vagina and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. Removing it completely during labiaplasty can cause problems.

Improper labiaplasty causes an inadequate vaginal opening, which creates an environment where bacteria and fluids can freely enter and exit the vagina, causing the patient to experience a yeast infection.

The goal should be to minimize, not completely remove the labia minora so that the tissue protrudes less.

Consult with several surgeons. This is an opportunity to discuss your aesthetic preferences in detail and hear what's possible based on your anatomy.

Ask many questions during the visit: How many labiaplasties have you had? How many complications did you experience and how did you heal them? What if this happens to me?"