Labiaplasty is performed under general anaesthetic in fully accredited Sydney hospitals. Dr Safvat only works with highly trained anaesthetics accredited with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. The operation takes about an hour to complete.
Dr Safvat’s aim is to delicately and carefully remove the excess tissue and reshape the region without interfering with the nerves or sexual sensation. The incisions are quite discreet too. It is important to only ever have labiaplasty done by a specialist plastic surgeon who is used to handling delicate tissue, preserving nerves and can perform accurate and precise wound closure.
Since this is a day procedure, patients can return home on the same day, provided someone can drive them home.
Some women may be more genetically prone to this concern and it can worsen with ageing, pregnancy and childbirth.
Recovery Details
During the first few days after the labiaplasty surgery, patients can expect some pain and swelling, which will improve at a gradual pace. It can take up to a week for these side effects to subside, however, this is different for every woman.
Patients should also know that blood-tinged discharge, bruising and discomfort when urinating can also occur after labiaplasty. All of these common effects can be managed with pain medication, ointments and proper cleansing.
Most patients are able to return to work after several days. Any strenuous activity, sexual intercourse and tampons will need to be avoided for at least six weeks.
Some of the ways that you can make your recovery more comfortable is to wear loose, breathable clothing, to keep the area clean and to avoid intercourse until you’re completely healed from your labiaplasty. Using a donut pillow is also known to help.
Complications
While all care and diligence is taken by Dr Safvat to minimise or avoid complications, any surgical procedure can be associated with some general complications and/or specific complications related to the surgery you are having. Choosing a Specialist Plastic Surgeon such as Dr Safvat and having your procedure done in an accredited hospital minimises risks as does using an accredited Anaesthesist. Some general surgical potential complications are:
- Infection that may require antibiotics (Dr Safvat prescribes all patients antibiotics after surgery to minimise this risk).
- Fluid build-up under the skin (seroma).
- Allergic reaction to dressings and other items used during the procedure.
- The formation of blood collection (haematoma) which could require additional surgery.
- Scars heal differently in different people. Some people are genetically prone to develop keloid scars. Hypertrophic scars develop when there is a complication in the healing process. Whilst not ideal, there is no threat to your health if you develop these.
- Although rare, heavy bleeding may occur at the operation site and even more rarely a blood transfusion may be required.
- Anyone can have a heart attack or stroke from a clot. This risk is slightly increased with anaesthetics.
Most patients undergoing Labiaplasty will not experience complications, however it is important that all patients have enough information to weigh up the benefits and risks of surgery. The following are some possible complications of this particular surgery.
- Swelling, oozing and bruising is expected and in some can be quite severe. It will subside over the first few weeks after surgery.
- Asymmetry between the sides
- Blood-tinged discharge and discomfort when urinating is possible, but will subside over the first few weeks.
- Delayed wound healing.
- Over or under correction of the initial issue.
- Change in sensation or numbness can occur which may affect sexual activity. In most cases this will resolve over time, but very occasionally this can be permanent.
Dr Safvat will go through the specific risks associated with Labiaplasty surgery with his patients, at their consultation in his Sydney and Bowral rooms.
