Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty Quick Facts

• One of the most popular plastic surgery procedures.
• Adjusts the size and/or shape of the labia.
• Corrects asymmetry & eliminates pain.
• A 45-minute at Ennis Plastic Surgery.
• Back home the same day.
• Preserves sensitivity.
• Choose local or general anesthesia.

Some changes you may notice are: 

• Stretching and laxity of the vaginal wall
• Laxity and stretching of the labia minora (the inner lips)
• Sagging of the Labia Majora (the outer lips) 
• A sagging of the mons pubis (the soft area in front of the pubic bone)

Understanding How Your Body Changes

Your labia is the described as the minora labia (inner lips) and majora labia (outer lips). The labia minora are the thin, smooth tissue that surround the vagina. The labia majora are the full, fleshy tissue that surround the labia minora, typically the area that is covered in hair.

Symptoms that may indicate a labiaplasty would help you

If you have long labia minora it can negatively impact intimate situations and even exercise, causing you to feel embarrassed or insecure. Long labia can also hurt during exercise or intercourse. In addition, elongated labia minora can limit a woman’s ability to wear certain bathing suits and leggings, creating an unwanted bulge.

Goals of Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty can help restore and correct labia related issues causing embarrassment and pain. Let’s look at all the great things a labiaplasty procedure can provide:

Key benefits include:

1. Increased self confidence
2. Improved appearance of altered or asymmetrical labia minora
3. A youthful appearance to the female genitalia
4. Remove the darker skin and restore a youthful pink color
5. Improved comfort during exercise and intimate situations
6. The ability to wear tight fitting clothing, including bathing suits and leggings with ease

Labiaplasty 101 

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that is meant to change the size or shape of the labia minora, usually making them smaller or correcting for any asymmetry and correcting issues causing embarrassment and pain.

It is designed to sculpt the external vaginal anatomy by correcting for long or uneven labia. Labiaplasty can also be performed on the labia majora, the outer fleshy lips surrounding the vagina. 

Trim Method vs the Posterior Wedge Method

There are two main techniques used to address the appearance of the labia minora:

1. Trim method
2. Posterior Wedge method
3. Labia Majora Labiaplasty

The Trim Method

With the trim method, your surgeon “trims off” a long strip of the labial edge, removing the darkened, lengthy and unwanted tissue. The newly cut edge is then sutured for prompt healing. This trim method achieves labial reduction, removing the thick and darkened region of tissue with a smaller and more youthful edge. It also removes the length of the labia minora so that it is positioned more appealingly in the natural folds of the labia majora. If you have uneven or discolored edges, this is a great option for you. 

TIP: Good to know. If you’re having a clitoral hood reduction, it’s best to do them at the same time. That way, you’ll only need one incision for all of your procedures.

The Posterior Wedge Method

The Wedge or “V” technique reduces the size and length of the labia minora by removing a “V” shaped wedge of unwanted tissue. The surgeon creates an incision and removes a wedge-shaped section of labial tissue from the middle or back third of the labia. Then, the top and bottom sections of the labia are sutured back together.

This technique preserves the appearance of the labial edge, giving a more natural appearance and better preserves the sensation. This more commonly used procedure is for women who want to maintain the appearance of the labial edge and youthful appearance, but who have asymmetry or excessive labial tissue.

Labia Majora Labiaplasty

Due to aging, the labia majora can become wrinkled and have a deflated appearance. Augmentation on this area can fill and enhance a deflated-looking labia majora. If you’ve got a wrinkled labia majora, your skin lacks laxity in this area. For this, you can have a fat transfer procedure or a skin-tightening procedure to get the younger look of the labia majora.

You might also benefit from a surgical reduction to make the labial majora smaller and tighter looking. A reduction can be achieved through liposuction to remove excess fat in the labia majora and surrounding pubic region. 

There are also options for labia majora labiaplasty, including reduction or augmentation. Due to today’s culture of shaving the hair away from the vaginal area, many more women are concerned about the labia majora than in years past.

What to Expect During the Labiaplasty Procedure

Before you settle on the correct procedure for your labia, you’ll meet with Dr. Ennis and his wonderful medical team to discuss your wishes for surgery. You’ll be able to ask any questions or calm any worries you may have about your labiaplasty. 

On the day of surgery, you’ll be given local or general anesthesia from our board-certified MD anesthesiologist. Dr. Ennis will then create your gorgeous labia. The procedure will take anywhere from one to two hours depending on your exact needs. 

Labiaplasty Recovery

After your surgery, you can expect to experience mild swelling and mild discomfort for the first several weeks after surgery, but most women can return to work activities within one week. Vigorous exercise and sexual intercourse is not appropriate for approximately six weeks (just like after a birth), in order to ensure proper and complete healing of the labial tissues.

After undergoing this procedure, women report increased self-confidence during intimate situations, as well as, relief from the discomfort that was previously felt during exercise. In addition, women are able to wear tight-fitting clothing such as bathing suits and leggings more comfortably. It’s a total win-win.

About Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. L. Scott Ennis

At Ennis Plastic Surgery, you can expect unmatched professionalism, privacy, and personalized care throughout your surgical journey. Led by the esteemed Dr. Scott Ennis, a renowned plastic surgeon specializing in women’s reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, our practice is dedicated to achieving beautiful, natural results with minimal scarring.

Dr. Ennis’s extensive education and accolades include earning his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was recognized as Best Intern and Outstanding Chief Resident, and completing a prestigious plastic surgery fellowship at the University of Virginia. His commitment to excellence has positioned him as a leader in advanced techniques for procedures like labiaplasty, ensuring minimal incisions, reduced scarring, and a focus on preserving sensation.

With Dr. Ennis’s expertise, labiaplasty is approached from both cosmetic and functional perspectives, delivering an improved appearance while maintaining sensation. This meticulous approach sets him apart, offering patients the confidence and satisfaction that come with exceptional results. Don’t settle for less when it comes to your care—choose a surgeon with a proven reputation for precision and artistry.

Take the next step toward enhanced confidence and well-being by contacting Ennis Plastic Surgery. Call us at 561-405-9020 to schedule an in-office or virtual consultation and experience the difference of expert care tailored just for you.

PATIENT RESOURCE SECTION

Pre-op Instructions, Post-op Instructions, Recovery Tip patient guides from Dr. Ennis

Download the patient guides to be prepared on your day of surgery and make sure you get the best results after treatment.