Labiaplasty

What You Need to Know about Labia Reduction

Overview

Labiaplasty is a common surgical procedure that reduces this skin and creates a more compact and youthful appearance.

The Ideal Candidate

Women who are unhappy with the appearance of their vaginal area, and who may also be experiencing physical discomfort or chafing from enlarged or elongated labia.

Target Areas

Vaginal Area

Labia Reduction


Dr. James Sturm performs labiaplasty at his Saint Peters, Missouri office. Labiaplasty, or labia reduction surgery, is for women from the St. Louis area and the nearby communities who are unhappy with the appearance of their vaginal area, and who may also be experiencing physical discomfort or chafing from enlarged or elongated labia.

This is a very personal topic and not always easy for women to discuss, but it is not at all uncommon. Lately, women are becoming more comfortable discussing this intimate issue, and awareness of the benefits of labia reduction surgery is growing.

Find out if Labiaplasty is Right for You

Labia Reduction: What You Should Know

Anesthesia: Labiaplasty can be performed with the patient under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

Length of procedure: 45 to 60 minutes.

Estimated recovery time: Most patients can return to work within 1 week, but should avoid vigorous activities for at least 2 weeks and refrain from vaginal intercourse for 4 to 6 weeks. Visible bruising and swelling should begin to resolve within 2 weeks. 

Side effects: Common side effects include bruising, swelling and a few spitting sutures.

Whether as the result of genetics, pregnancy, aging, or weight change, women may develop sagging in the labia: the skin around their vaginal opening. It is a common surgical procedure that reduces this skin and creates a more compact and youthful appearance.

A Single Surgery to Help Women Look and Feel their Best

Many patients choose to have labiaplasty for aesthetic reasons. They aren’t happy with the way their loose labial skin looks, and they feel less confident in their appearance and in intimate situations. In addition, it offers a firmer, younger appearance.

Alternatively, about half of the patients who come in for labiaplasty, decide to have the procedure to resolve their discomfort. Some examples:

  • They may experience irritation or uncomfortable bulging when wearing certain clothes, like a thong or yoga pants.
  • They might not be able to enjoy their favorite activities, like horseback riding or spin.
  • Sagging labial skin may interfere with intercourse or personal hygiene. Patients may have to move this tissue out of the way during sex or adjust this skin when placing a tampon.

Surgery revises the sagging labial skin in a way that resolves irritation, frees patients to wear and do what they want, and increases the pleasure of intimacy.

Labiaplasty Before and After

Here's a visual representation of what the Labia reduction does:

Labiaplasty - Labia Reduction

Exploring Options with Labiaplasty

Each patient will begin with an initial consultation. Dr. Sturm will take the time to get to know you and to learn about your goals.

Dr. Sturm will also perform a physical examination, during which patients can show her their specific areas of concern. Labiaplasty can address the outer (majora) labial lips, the inner (minora) labial lips, or both. Because our practice has extensive experience in labiaplasty procedures.

If you choose to get a labiaplasty, the procedure is pretty simple:

Labiaplasty is considered an outpatient procedure (meaning you don’t stay at the hospital overnight afterward), and it can be done under general anesthesia or a mix of local anesthesia and sedation,(Female staff members will always be in the room with the physician at all times.)

  • In addition to creating a firmer appearance, Dr. Sturm can sometimes perform the labiaplasty in a way that gives the labia a pinker pigmentation, which we tend to associate with youthfulness.
  • Excess skin often affects the area around the clitoris. To make the labia match aesthetically with this area.
  • Labiaplasty does not affect a woman’s ability to deliver vaginally in the future. The surgery also does not affect the g-spot, and Dr. Sturm does not operate on the clitoris or its nerves directly, so there is no risk of diminishing sexual sensation.

During a patient’s consultation, recovery, restrictions, will be discussed by Dr. Sturm and pricing will be discussed in detail with Financial staff. Dr.Sturm will also take the time to answer any questions a patient may have so each patient can confidently make a fully informed decision involving her individualized treatment plan.

Find out if Labiaplasty is Right for You


Frequently Asked Questions about Labia Reduction

Why would you get a labiaplasty?

There are several reasons to perform labiaplasty at Find A Better You: Firstly to reduce the size of the labia minora because they cause discomfort during exercise, sex or other physical activity. Secondly to remove areas containing lumps, bumps or other areas of abnormal or diseases tissue.

What is labiaplasty procedure?

Labiaplasty is a common surgical procedure that reduces this skin and creates a more compact and youthful appearance.

Does labiaplasty affect sensation?

Most of the time, labiaplasty does not affect sensitivity of the genital tissues. Beyond removing excess labial tissue, the procedure does not affect the nerves that are responsible for sensitivity.

How long does a labiaplasty surgery take?

The length of the Labiaplasty procedure: 45 to 60 minutes.

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