Labiaplasty surgery in Sydney with Dr Kernohan
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that is performed to change the size of the labia minora or skin flaps on either side of the vagina. The procedure should only be performed on women who are 18 years old or above – as your labia continues to develop beyond puberty. You may choose to undergo labiaplasty for different reasons: to change the look of your genitalia, to increase comfort (excess skin can cause discomfort), or as a part of gender-affirming surgery.
Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Michael Kernohan is an experienced plastic surgeon and performs labiaplasty in Sydney Southwest Suburbs and the Southern Highlands NSW.
What is labiaplasty?
When you look up the term “labiaplasty” or labioplasty on search engines, you may come across inaccurate terms like ‘vaginal rejuvenation’, and ‘designer vagina’. Labiaplasty is a very different procedure.
“Vaginal rejuvenation” is an umbrella term for procedures that change or tighten your vagina. Many devices can be used for vaginal treatments such as lasers, ultrasound, and radiofrequency machines. These procedures are generally aimed at vaginal tightening, eliminating dryness or decreasing incontinence. It can also include a vaginoplasty surgery for internal tightening (Generally performed by a Gynecologist).
Labiaplasty is a different aesthetic and functional surgery that is aimed at decreasing the size of labia minora which allows labia majora to be exposed. It can involve several different surgical techniques that are selected based on the specific condition. During your consultation with Dr Kernohan you will discuss the goal of your surgery prior to committing to an actual procedure.
Download Dr Michael Kernohan’s Excess Skin Reduction Guide
Benefits of labiaplasty surgery
Labiaplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures. The benefits can include but are not limited to:
- Comfort
When your labia is enlarged, you may feel uncomfortable wearing certain types of clothes. Wearing bikinis, leggings, and tight pants can cause discomfort. Labiaplasty surgery can help you feel more comfortable.
- Reduce Pain and Discomfort
Your inner labia is delicate tissue that can become easily irritated as a result of sexual activity and tight clothing. Moreover, jogging, cycling, exercising, and other daily activities can also result in considerable pain and discomfort. If you wish to reduce the pain caused by constant twisting, chafing, and pinching of the labia, a labiaplasty might be the right option for you.
- Hygiene and Health
Excess tissue can harbor bacteria and result in poor hygiene. It can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and can be extremely painful. Getting labiaplasty done can help reduce the risk of UTIs and other health concerns.
Labiaplasty before and after photos
Taking a look at previous patients who have undergone labiaplasty procedures can help you understand the procedure and your desired results. You can ask to see these confidential intimate photographs of Dr Kernohan’s past Labiaplasty patients during your consultation.
Is labiaplasty right for me?
Labiaplasty is medically necessary in some cases. However, a lot of women choose to get the surgery to reduce the pain and improve their intimate experience. The goal of the surgery is to reduce the size, shape, and excess skin of your labia. Your overall health must be good with no chronic illnesses to be able to undergo the surgery. Plus, you should have realistic expectations about the surgery.
Please note that these are general labiaplasty guidelines, your suitability for the procedure will be discussed during your consultation with Dr Kernohan.
Your labiaplasty consultation with Dr Kernohan
Dr Kernohan will ask you about your general health and examine you. If, after careful assessment, you are suitable for labiaplasty surgery, expect to discuss the procedure, principles of the operation, likely outcomes, and potential risks of the surgery.
You may have more than one consultation. Make sure to come prepared for the consultation with your questions.
Key points to discuss at the consultation include:
- Your expectations and the expected outcomes of labiaplasty
- The potential benefits of the labiaplasty
- Any concerns about risks, complications or recovery period
The labiaplasty procedure
Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that is usually performed under general anaesthesia. The surgery generally takes an hour to complete. In some cases, it is done in conjunction with other cosmetic surgery procedures. Initially, labiaplasty was done with a single surgical technique. With the advancements in surgery, there are several techniques used today to achieve the desired result. The two most popular techniques used are:
Trim Labiaplasty Procedure
This is a classic technique. To this date, it is the most widely used technique by surgeons worldwide. The trim procedure involves the removal of the excess part of the labia minora. After the removal of excess skin, the area is sutured it increase symmetry with labia majora.
Wedge Labiaplasty Procedure
With the wedge technique, a partially thick wedge is removed from the thickest part of the labia minora. It is important to leave the layered tissue underneath the mucous membrane intact. That is why only a small amount of partial thickness is removed.
Apart from these two techniques, the surgeon may use multiple other techniques and combinations for reducing the size of the labia minora. Each technique has its own set of pros and cons. The key to an optimal outcome post-surgery is to choose a specialist plastic surgeon that is regularly performing labiaplasty surgeries and has years of experience.
Recovery after labiaplasty surgery
Labiaplasty is typically performed as a day procedure which means that you get to recuperate at home. However, that doesn’t mean that the procedure is a simple one and you don’t need to take certain precautions. Your labia will be quite swollen for the first few days after the surgery. You will be asked to take a few days off from work to recover.
You will be prescribed antibiotics to lower the risk of infection. Dr Kernohan will also prescribe painkillers to alleviate discomfort during your recovery
The following tips may be useful during the post-surgical phase:
- Make sure to wear loose-fitting comfortable clothing to avoid friction and prevent pain
- Stay clear of intense physical activities and exercise during the recovery
- Do not use a tampon for at least 4 to 6 weeks
- Do not have intercourse for the first 6 weeks of the surgery
- Use an wrapped icepack to reduce swelling on the treatment site
- Avoid taking long showers and baths and dry your vagina thoroughly after every wash
- Make sure to attend all your follow-up appointments to ensure you are healing at the right pace
Most of the swelling will be gone by the end of six weeks. The residual swelling can take up to six months to disappear. It is very important to be patient with yourself. The genital region in females is very sensitive and requires proper care. Hence, it is important to stick to all the instructions given by your medical team.
Risks and complications after labiaplasty
When performed by an experienced and qualified surgeon, the risks and complications can be considerably reduced. It is normal and expected to have some soreness, bruising and swelling for the initial two weeks after labiaplasty. These side effects typically subside on their own as long as you stick to all the post-surgical care measures. You might find peeing and sitting uncomfortable during this time frame.
Other complications include bleeding, infection, scarring of tissue, and reduced genital sensitivity. Serious complications include the formation of a blood clot in a vein, allergic reactions to anaesthesia, and serious infections. It is important to be on the lookout for these problems and contact Dr Kernohan right away if you spot any of them.
How much is a labiaplasty surgery in Sydney?
The Labiaplasty Cost in Sydney depends on various factors such as:
- Surgeon’s reputation, level of experience, qualifications
- What is included in the surgical quote or price estimate
- Where is surgery performed
- Whether surgery is a medically-indicated or cosmetic procedure
- The complexity of the case
Learn more about the prices of Labiaplasty on Dr Kernohan’s pricing page. or phone the team for an estimate on 1300 39 38 99.
Funding Your Labiaplasty
Medicare and Private Health might help subsidise your labiaplasty surgery if you meet the strict criteria. For more information, visit Dr Kernohan’s Medicare Coverage page.
How to find the right labiaplasty surgeon in Sydney
Labiaplasty requires a trained and experienced plastic surgeon.
You should find a trained FRACS surgeon who has years of experience in performing these procedures. These tips might help:
Get a medical referral and do your research
A great way to start your research journey is by getting a referral from your GP, you will need one to see your cosmetic surgeon for your first consultation. You can also research the web and shortlist a few plastic surgeons based on their qualifications and experience.
Check out before and after photographs
You can find before and after pictures of different people who have undergone labiaplasty. You can also ask to see pictures during the consultation. These photographs will give you an idea of what the surgery can achieve and show you the placement of scars as well.
Only after considering all these points, you should select your surgeon.
