Aesthetic Surgery of Female Genitalia

Aesthetic surgery of female genitalia focuses on the restoration and/or enhancement of their function.

This term includes procedures involving the labia minora and labia majora.

Labiaplasty and vaginal tightening, along with hymenoplasty (hymen restoration), are among the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the intimate female area.

Many women experience asymmetry or disproportion in the size of the inner or outer labia, where the labia minora or labia majora are either too large or too small. This can cause discomfort in daily activities, as well as pain and irritation.

Surgical Procedures

During labia reduction, excess tissue is surgically removed.

To enlarge the labia majora, a fat transfer procedure may be performed. This involves harvesting autologous fat (fat taken from the patient’s own body, such as the inner thighs, abdomen, or buttocks), processing it, and injecting it into the labia to enhance volume.

Alternatively, volume enhancement can be achieved using injectable fillers, such as hyaluronic acid or collagen.

Surgery Duration, Recovery Phase, and Follow-up Care

Genital aesthetic surgeries are typically performed as day-case procedures under local anesthesia. If the patient prefers, the procedure can also be carried out under general anesthesia or conscious sedation.

After a brief recovery period, the patient can leave the hospital and resume daily activities.

Risks and Complications

In general, genital cosmetic surgeries performed by an experienced specialist are low-risk. However, since this area of the body has rich vascularization and nerve supply, it is extremely sensitive.

As with any surgery, minor complications may occur, including:

• Healing issues
• Swelling (edema)
• Infections
• Minor bleeding

What Should Be Considered Before Labiaplasty?

A detailed consultation with the surgeon is essential before any procedure. The patient should be fully informed about the surgical process and potential risks.

Two weeks before the procedure, anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) should be avoided to minimize the risk of complications.

How Is Labiaplasty Performed?

Labiaplasty involves reducing or augmenting the labia minora or labia majora.

For labia majora augmentation, fat transfer is a common method:

• Autologous fat is harvested from the abdomen, buttocks, or inner thighs.
• The fat is processed and purified.
• It is then injected into the labia majora for volume enhancement.

For labia reduction, excess tissue is surgically removed to create a proportionate and aesthetically pleasingappearance.

Postoperative Care and Recovery

• Avoid sports, sexual intercourse, and strenuous physical activity for the first 4-6 weeks post-surgery.
• Showering is allowed after 2-3 days, but the intimate area should only be cleaned with water or a pH-neutral soap.