Vaginal Rejuvenation (Labiaplasty)

What is vaginal rejuvenation (aka labial reduction or labiaplasty)?

Vaginal rejuvenation (labiaplasty) is used to turn back the clock on external vaginal tissues. Some women experience excessive tissue in the labia minora with age, after childbirth, or based on heredity. The excess tissues extend beyond the outer vaginal tissues (labia majora) and can interfere with many female functions including intercourse, insertion of tampons, or during exercise. During labial reduction surgery, the excess tissues are precisely removed to permanently fix this problem.

A hymenoplasty is a procedure that can re-tighten the hymenal tissues that are ruptured as women experience their first sexual intercourse. This is an effective technique to restore a women to her youthful, virginal state.

How is labiaplasty (labial reduction) performed?

The procedure can be done either with local anesthesia or with general. The excess labial tissues are marked out in a specific pattern that will facilitate their removal. The surgery takes approximately 1 hour and is done on an outpatient basis. All stitches are absorbable.

In a hymenoplasty, a V-shaped incision is made in the rear portion of the vaginal opening (introitus). The tissues are then closed in several layers with absorbable tissues to separate internal and external vaginal tissues.

What is the recovery after vaginal rejuvenation surgery?

Patients can return to activity relatively quickly after surgery. You will be instructed to apply ice packs or a bag of frozen peas to the operative area for the first 24-48 hours. Activities should be approached cautiously for about 2 days. Most people will return to work in 3-4 days, taking care to avoid activities that might rub on the incisions. There is to be absolutely no sexual intercourse, bicycle or horseback riding, swimming, hot tubs, or other physical activities that will put pressure and friction over the incisions for 6 weeks.