Labiaplasty in Pittsburgh, PA

Labiaplasty (also referred to as labia rejuvenation) is a cosmetic procedure that enhances the appearance of the vaginal lips. Women who have gone through pregnancy or those who have experienced a significant weight loss may have enlarged labia. In addition, some women are born with asymmetrical vaginal lips. Abnormal labia can result in an unsightly appearance, but more importantly, it can cause symptoms such as chronic irritations, discomfort during sex, and yeast or urinary tract infections. Pittsburgh plastic surgeon, Dr. James Fernau, believes that women who are unhappy with the appearance of their labia should not feel anxious or scared to consult with a surgeon. It is a common procedure among his plastic surgery patients that has excellent outcomes. Our office understands the sensitive nature of this procedure thus we stress the importance of patient privacy for this type of surgery.

Women who are considering labiaplasty should consult with a qualified cosmetic surgeon. In the past, before surgeons improved this procedure, the approach was to remove the excess tissue and skin deformity using an amputation method. Today, skilled surgeons use aesthetic reshaping techniques so that the labia are not only reduced in size, but also the nerves are protected in the process so that sexual feeling is not compromised. Dr. Fernau will preserve the natural color and contour to the patients desires while creating a result that looks visually appealing with minimal to no scarring. This is called the Precision Labiaplasty Technique. This quick recovery technique involves minimal swelling, cuts down on recovery time, and minimalizes post-procedure discomfort. Exparel, a long acting local anesthetic, is administered and helps with the post op discomfort for 3 to 10 days after the procedure. EMLA Anesthetic Cream can be applied at home which also helps with post operative pain relief. Most of Dr. Fernau's patients experience minimal to no post procedure pain with a 10 out of 10 satisfaction level!

The most common approach surgeons take to perform labiaplasty is to use a device known as Iris Scissors. This fine, advanced surgical tool allows the surgeon to reshape the inner folds of the labia. In the process, a clean “V” shaped wedge is made to the vaginal lips, and is removed to reduce the size. The surgeon will carefully work to reshape and reconstruct the lips so that they meet the patient’s aesthetic goals. Dissolvable sutures are used to close the incision. Another approach is to use a laser treatment to reduce the labia. This is effective for some patients, but is only recommended in cases where the skin defect is minimal.

Labiaplasty typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete, depending on how complex the surgical case is. It is performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical facility and does not require an overnight stay. Women who undergo labia rejuvenation will need to avoid any activity that may cause swelling and bleeding, such as exercise, sexual activity, douching, and the use of tampons. These activities can be resumed slowly around 4-6 weeks post-op. Women find that the results of this procedure look so natural that their self-confidence and self-image are improved drastically.

The procedure itself can run between $3,000-$4,500. It is a procedure that is now offered by many cosmetic surgeons.

When researching the aesthetic surgery market, most patients will find that a large majority of cosmetic surgeons offer labiaplasty. While many OBGYNs are capable of performing labia rejuvenation, the procedure is most often considered cosmetic. An OBGYN will be able to surgically remove any excess that exists within the labia; however, a cosmetic surgeon will consider the aesthetics as well. This ensures that scarring is minimal, and that color, contour and symmetry looks and feels natural.

As with any surgery, there may be numbness in the vaginal area after the procedure is completed. This is temporary as the skin and vaginal lips heal. In regards to sensitivity, it is important to understand that labia rejuvenation affects, for the most part, the vaginal lips only. Sensitivity is served by the clitoris. A skilled cosmetic surgeon that specializes in labiaplasty will work around this area so that a loss of sensitivity does not occur.

Labiaplasty, when performed by a skilled surgeon, will only improve sexual intercourse. In many cases, this is because the excess skin and tissue that may have gotten in the way during sex before will now be removed. The clitoral region will be protected and the sensory nerves preserved so that sexual intercourse is not impacted in a negative way.

In most cases, it is recommended that women wait to have labia rejuvenation until after all pregnancies are complete. However, if having enlarged labia is bothersome and causes physical symptoms and emotional hardship, then this surgery can most definitely be performed before a planned pregnancy. If the results of the surgery are compromised due to a post-surgical pregnancy, a second surgery can be discussed.