What Prompts Patients To Choose Labiaplasty?

There are many plastic surgery options available today, including procedures that address sagging by removing excess skin, reduce bulges by breaking up and suctioning out unwanted fat cells, and increase volume in areas where bigger curves are desired, such as the breasts or buttocks. While plastic surgery used to be something of a taboo subject, it is now more widely accepted and discussed in public settings, with everyone from celebrities to friends and family sharing what they have “had done.”

Among the many plastic surgery options, however, there are still some that are not as widely discussed. Labiaplasty, for example, involves such an intimate area and aspect of life that many patients hesitate to bring up the idea. Still, the procedure does exist and helps those who choose it to experience desired changes.

When it comes to labiaplasty, Philadelphia-based plastic surgeon Dr. Jackie Lyons explains that there are many reasons a person may be considering the procedure—any of which can and should be discussed with an experienced and discreet plastic surgeon.

“The right surgery can change a patient’s life—often dramatically—for the better,” Dr. Lyons says. “Anyone who wishes to make a change should know that they can find a reliable resource in an experienced and board-certified plastic surgeon who has worked with patients from all walks of life—and who has almost literally heard every question on the subject, whether breast augmentation, tummy tuck, or labiaplasty.”

With that in mind, what are some reasons a person may be considering labiaplasty? Read on to explore several possibilities.

Appearance

Perhaps the most easily noted reason a patient may want to alter her labia is because of the way they look. First, it is incredibly important to note that there is no one specific way a person’s labia “should” look. While many people have an idea of what is “normal” or “standard,” the reality is that there is a widely diverse range of sizes, shapes, and proportions when it comes to the appearance of the vaginal lips.

It is also vital to remind anyone considering labiaplasty—or any plastic surgery—that decisions to undergo a cosmetic procedure are entirely personal. No one should ever have a procedure done with the intent to make someone else happy or satisfy a different person’s beauty standards or desires. Plastic surgery, at its heart, is about self-confidence and empowerment.

For patients who have decided that changing the look of their labia is a path they would like to pursue, the catalyst is often noticing a change as they get older—and especially if they have given birth vaginally in the past. Age-related changes to skin and other tissues, the trauma of a baby passing through the birth canal, and other common life experiences can alter the size and shape of the labia, making them appear larger, asymmetrical, and different from before. Some patients desire a return to their former appearance.

Other patients may have labia that have always looked a certain way, and they may want to make adjustments in order to achieve a look they find more ideal. Whatever the reason, this is worth discussing with a plastic surgeon.

Visibility

Labia that extend to a certain length may be visible in certain circumstances, such as when yoga pants or smaller swimsuits are worn. Patients who want to be sure they are not revealing more than they want to reveal may consider a labiaplasty. This can be especially helpful for patients whose inner vaginal lips (labia minora) extend beyond the outer vaginal lips (labia majora).

Comfort

Larger labia can contribute to the discomfort of friction during various physical activities, from sexual intimacy to exercise. Reducing the labia can make these activities more enjoyable again by reducing or eliminating chafing related to the enlarged, elongated, or stretched-out tissues.

Anyone who finds any of these scenarios familiar may consider surgery to enhance their quality of life. For more information about labiaplasty, contact Philadelphia and Villanova’s Cross Medical Group. Contact them online or call 215.561.9100.