The labia cover and seal the entrance to the vagina, thus protecting it from drying out and from intrusion of foreign bodies and pathogens.
The Labia minora (inner lips, “small lips”) extend from the mons pubis to the anal region and though enclose the clitoris and the vaginal opening. Routinely performed intimate shaving in women unveils less appealing details in the genital region more often than in the past. Additionally, in our culture everything which is droopy or hangs is perceived as unattractive. Besides the aesthetic aspect large labia may result in limitations of everyday life, such as being distracting or painful during different sports as well as wearing of particular clothes. Further, it can be painful during sexual intercourse. Frequently an unattractive appearing genital area can cause an emotional withdrawal from the partner, which can be psychologically very stressful. Therefore an operative correction in the labial area can often successfully eliminate any sense of shame.
Medical Term: Labiaplasty, Labia Reduction Plasty, Vaginoplasty, Vaginal Rejuvenation
Type of Anesthesia: Local or General Anesthesia
Surgery time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Length of hospital stay: Outpatient
Aftercare: Local cooling and pads, resorbing suture material
Back to public: After 2-3 days
Back to work: After 3-4 days (depending upon physical strain)
Time of recovery: 4 weeks
Fees: starting at 5.000 CHF
Surgical labia correction (labioplasty) is generally performed under a local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, however full anesthesia is possible if wished so. During labial reduction plasty (labial downsizing) excessive skin is removed and symmetrically tightened. The wound margins are meticulously sutured, that the emerging smooth scars are rarely visible. In order to achieve a harmonic and aesthetic result both pubic eminence and clitoral hood occasionally have to be adjusted in the same procedure. In cases of small outer lips (labia majora) a less invasive fat transfer (lipofilling) can be performed to permanently achieve an appropriate volume. In this regard, fat (which has been harvested by liposuction from a different part of the body) is injected through small incisions using special conservative cannulas, that no scars are visible.
Complications and unwanted incidents are extremely rare in labioplasty procedures. However, on occasion, a patient could experience hemorrhage and infection during the first days. Temporary swelling and small bruising may occur. Smaller swellings may last several weeks before disappearing completely.
Within the first 6 weeks following surgery any physical activity in the genital area should be paused, in order to avoid any friction and strong sweating. Consequently, significant moisture (sauna, spa, bathing) next to sporting activities as well as sexual intercourse should be avoided. Since absorbable suturing material is used no suture removal is needed. Showering is allowed starting from the 2nd day on following surgery, however use of soap in the genital area should be avoided. Also, rubbing with a towel should be avoided in the recently operated genital region within the first 10 days.
As with any cosmetic procedure, labial surgery costs can vary widely dependent upon the patient, type and extent of skin and fat tissue as well as from the number of additional surgical procedures needed (adjustment of clitoral hood, additional lipofilling of pubic eminence and outer lips et cetera). Naturally, all surgical fees are discussed, agreed and paid in advance, that no unexpected costs occur. In general, most health insurances do not cover genital surgery as the procedure is viewed as being aesthetic in nature. In extreme cases the health insurance may pay part of the surgery.
Price for labial correction/labial reduction: from 5.000 CHF