Many causes lead women to contemplate labiaplasty. When extra skin is removed from the labia, the operation known as labiaplasty is performed.
After childbirth or as we grow older, women most commonly seek labiaplasty surgery in order to reduce or eliminate their swollen or abnormally lengthy labia.
Concern about the size of a woman’s labia may have begun in adolescence or after a successful weight loss procedure or diet & exercise, depending on the individual.
No matter why you’re thinking about labiaplasty, you’re probably wondering if your insurance will cover the procedure.
Indications for Labiaplasty
A woman’s reasons for wanting labiaplasty are significant, but asking her primary care practitioner whether there is a solution and if it is potentially reimbursed by insurance can be intimidating for many women. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, we’re here to provide as much information as we can about this sensitive subject.
Insurance guidelines
Most insurance companies do not cover or allow labiaplasty surgery. An insurance company examines a procedure to see if it is covered “It is medically required.”
They use a variety of methods to accomplish this goal. Surgery can be categorized as either reconstructive or cosmetic. An example of reconstructive surgery involves correcting an aberrant structure (such a birth deformity or a traumatic injury) in order to improve the patient’s ability to perform a task.
As a general rule, cosmetic surgery is described as reshaping or improving normal structures. This comprises procedures intended to boost a patient’s self-confidence or alter their physical appearance.
Because labia occur in a wide range of sizes and forms, and because labiaplasty is a cosmetic treatment, insurance companies will almost categorize it as such “”It is medically required.”
It’s not uncommon for insurance providers to take into account how a problem affects daily living. If you have enormous and heavy breasts, a reduction in their size can cause back and neck pain for the rest of your life.
The insurance company’s decision on whether or not the operation is reimbursed or deemed cosmetic will be based on the severity of the patient’s upper back and neck pain.
Women seeking labiaplasty complain of discomfort while riding a bike or wearing tight apparel like yoga pants or bikinis because of the swollen labia. The skin in this vulnerable area is susceptible to chafing and is a common source of pain.
Despite the fact that this may have a detrimental impact on your day-to-day life, insurance companies want proof of health problems rather than complaints. Labiaplasty is still considered an aesthetic operation by most insurance policies.
Do I qualify for labiaplasty?
Women who have seen significant postpartum alterations to their labia majora and minora, or who have always had big and/or irregular labia majora and minora, are typical candidates for vaginal rejuvenation.
While plastic surgeons emphasize that there is no conventional shape for genitalia, many of our patients report unhappiness with their labia being more prominent.
Labial reduction candidates may also need to meet the following criteria:
- Having reached the age of 18 or over
- enduring pain or discomfort while seated, working out, or engaging in sexual activity
- Becoming embarrassed by the size or appearance of one’s lips
- Have labial tears as a result of giving delivery.
Labiaplasty may be an option for patients under the age of 18 with substantial abnormalities. Surgeons should thoroughly discuss these issues with the patient, her parents, and her OB/GYN.
Although there are numerous reasons why a woman could seek out labiaplasty for cosmetic reasons, the most common is because they want to look better.
Can you finance labiaplasty?
Yes, it is possible to finance labiaplasty. The cost of your treatment is spread out over a period of time in the form of small monthly payments. You can prevent accruing interest by making the minimum payments each month.
The key is finding a program that will allow you to finance these procedures, and allow you to pay for your medical care over time.
Do you need a referral for labiaplasty?
Yes. In most countries and jurisdictions, a referral is needed for labiaplasty.
Can Ob/Gyn Doctors perform labiaplasty?
A surgeon’s speciality and experience are two of the most important things to consider when choosing a cosmetic female genital surgeon. Labiaplasty and vaginoplasty, often known as vaginal rejuvenation, are two types of cosmetic female genital surgery.
Plastic surgeons and gynecologists alike can do vaginoplasty and labiaplasty, as long as they have completed the necessary training. All aspects of plastic surgery are taught to plastic surgeons during their education. Women’s health and surgery are two areas of expertise that gynecologists focus on.
A gynecologist or plastic surgeon performing cosmetic female genital surgery should be board certified and trained in this area before you make a decision. Vaginoplasty and labiaplasty are not regulated by any formal certificates, but there are specialized training programs.
For both vaginoplasty and labiaplasty, it is critical to ensure that your surgeon is well-versed in doing delicate skin repair in order to safeguard the nerves and provide natural-looking results.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a surgeon for cosmetic female genital surgery is their expertise in the field. Only a few vaginal procedures are performed annually by plastic surgeons, most of which are labiaplasties, which entail the trimming of the inner and outer vaginal lips.
In addition to surgical and non-surgical options, gynecologists can assess your situation and recommend the best course of action. It is not uncommon for gynecologists to do intra-vaginal operations when surgery is desired or needed.
What are the different labiaplasty techniques?
In labiaplasties, two procedures are used: the wedge and the edge.
V-shaped “wedge” is removed from both sides of the labia and stitched together in the wedge procedure. The least amount of scar tissue is caused by this method.
Your doctor will create an incision to remove the outside edge of the inner labia, making the inner labia the same length as or shorter than the outer labia, for the edge procedure. As opposed to the wedge approach, this one leaves a more cylindrical scar and more scar tissue.
What is the recovery process like?
For the first two weeks following your labiaplasty, you can anticipate to see some swelling and bruising.
During this time, you cannot exercise or engage in sexual activity. You’ll need to wear pads for the next 3-4 days to prevent spotting.
After three to four days, the vast majority of patients are able to return to work. You won’t have to go back to have the sutures removed because they’re dissolvable.
What kind of anesthesia is used in labiaplasty?
A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area, and an oral sedative will be administered to ease your anxiety before and during the treatment.
How painful is a labiaplasty?
After liposuction, patients are encouraged to get out and about as soon as possible. Some post-procedure edema, bruising, and pain might be expected.
Swelling typically subsides after a few days or weeks of the injury. Swelling may continue for months, but it usually does not interfere with normal daily activities.
Within four to six weeks of surgery, the majority of patients are able to resume their daily routines. Your surgeon will go over your post-surgery care plan in further detail.
Labiaplasty patients can perform a variety of activities to enhance their recovery. Wearing loose clothing will help avoid irritating the affected area by reducing the risk of rubbing and chafing. Exercise and strenuous activity should be avoided by patients.
After a labiaplasty, patients should refrain from intercourse for at least four to six weeks. 4 to 6 weeks should also pass before tampons are re-introduced. Using sanitary towels the first time after surgery is highly advised.
You can help minimize edema by raising your lower back when laying down. Place an ice pack on your underwear and leave it on for 20 minutes, then take it off for the same amount of time.
The area is likely to be inflamed, but not painfully so. Painkillers should be taken if the labia are inflamed following surgery.
In the first week following labiaplasty, itching is frequent. As long as itching doesn’t go away, it’s possible to have an infection, an adverse response to a drug, or something else going on. Please see a doctor if this occurs.
When do you need labiaplasty?
A variety of factors, including childbirth, aging, sexual activity, and heredity, contribute to the development of larger female testicles. There are a variety of reasons why females elect to have surgery.
Choosing a labiaplasty has various practical advantages. Exercise, personal cleanliness, urinary tract infections, sexual activity, and other physical activities might be challenging for women with swollen labia.
In addition, an enlarged labium may make it difficult to wear yoga trousers, gym pants, or bathing suits, all of which are becoming increasingly popular. However, most female patients report being exceedingly self-conscious when they begin a romantic relationship with a new person. Females examine these and other factors while deciding whether or not to have a labiaplasty.
What are the risks of labiaplasty?
Vaginal labiaplasty is a surgical procedure in which the labia minora are shrunk through the vaginal canal. The process also aims to be as minimally intrusive as possible, preserve the introitus, and match the skin’s color and texture as closely as possible. In recent years, labiaplasty has grown in popularity.
As there are no universally agreed upon parameters for labiaplasty, it is performed for a wide range of reasons. Chronic urinary tract infections, irritability, hygiene difficulties and sports-related problems can all be caused by labia minora hypertrophy.
Laboratory hypertrophy is not well characterized in the scientific literature. In the past, scholars have labeled aberrant variations in the distance between the midline and the labia minora’s lateral free edge. There are many who believe that surgery should be reserved for those who suffer from long-term illnesses.
Protrusion of the labia minora’s lateral edge and distance from its lateral edge to the majora’s lateral edge have lately been postulated.
Women like a prepubescent look with the labia minora tucked within the boundaries of the labia majora, despite the fact that there is no universally accepted anatomical standard for this type of appearance.
Individuals who underwent labiaplasty surgery for functional or cosmetic reasons were found to be 32 per cent, 37 per cent and 31 per cent, respectively, in a research analyzing 131 patients. Despite a high level of patient satisfaction, labiaplasty remains contentious because to a lack of clearly defined anatomic parameters and generally accepted reasons.
At least four different approaches to labiaplasty have been described, including deepithelialization and composite reduction. While the labial contour is preserved, a minor quantity of tissue is removed. Those with minor hypertrophy should use it.
Direct excision is an easy way to reduce volume, but the end result is unattractive. The original color, shape, and texture have been distorted. The scar may also be noticeable.
Compared to direct excision, wedge resection achieves the same volume decrease while keeping the original labial shape.
It is the goal of the composite reduction labiaplasty procedure to treat both clitoral protrusion and hooding. Other procedures have lower rates of problems and reoperations than composite reduction.
Small numbers of patients have had surgeries like W-shaped excision, Z-plasty, and laser labiaplasty documented.
Based on the patient’s anatomy, goals, and the surgeon’s comfort, the best approach should be chosen.
Dehiscence, hematoma, poor scarring, and superficial infections are the most prevalent problems following labiaplasty. Additionally, flap necrosis has been reported following a wedge resection procedure.
Although the diagnosis of labial hypertrophy and the rationale for surgery are still contested, labiaplasty is an increasingly common operation with excellent satisfaction rates. Labial reduction can be achieved using many methods, and further research is needed to develop best practices for patients.
How long does labiaplasty surgery take?
The trim method, in which excess tissue is excised and sewed up immediately, is the most common type of labiaplasty. Procedures that remove a wedge-shaped section of tissue and leave a natural border are next in popularity. It’s possible to lessen the number of folds on the clitoral hood at the same time. Absorbable sutures are commonly used to close the wound.
As a result of labia tissue’s forgiving qualities, labiaplasty results in minimal scarring. Age, vaginal or C-section deliveries, or menopause will not require a re-operation, and surgery will not affect a woman’s ability to be sexually aroused or to have orgasm.
Labiaplasty can be done under local or general anesthesia and typically takes 45 minutes or less. Two weeks and then two months after surgery, you’ll have a follow-up appointment.
Swelling and pain can be reduced by icing with a cold pack inserted between your underwear and an elastic garment like Spanx, which most patients use for a week. Do this for “20 minutes on, 20 minutes off” to see if it helps. The patient’s bottom can also be lifted to decrease swelling while she is lying down.
After a period of four to six weeks, women can resume using tampons or engaging in sexual activity. Recovering from labiaplasty with a smaller incision is usually faster.
However, residual edema may take six months to go away after the first six weeks, when it is at its most noticeable.
These patients aren’t looking for a quick fix “surgical to create a “perfect vagina” is a common treatment performed by women for a variety of reasons, including pain from sports-related labia strain, discomfort during sexual activity, itching and irritation, and even self-consciousness.
How much does Aviva labiaplasty cost?
Getting an Aviva scarless labiaplasty can set you back $2950 on average. However, if further treatment or choices are required, the price may rise. The majority of patients don’t need additional treatment. During your private session, your doctor will go over this with you.
If you are looking for medical advice, please consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.