Labiaplasty cost can vary for numerous reasons ranging from the experience of your surgeon to the cost of living in the city where you plan to get surgery. Ultimately, you need the surgeon themselves to tell you how much the full cost of your labiaplasty surgery will be. Online estimates can only go so far.
However, what we can provide in this blog post is a brief breakdown of the major costs that go into labiaplasty surgery. Up ahead, we’ll also discuss the importance of choosing the right plastic surgeon and not simply going with the most inexpensive estimate you can find.
How Much Does Labiaplasty Cost?
As we stated in the introduction, how much is a labiaplasty cost can vary widely based on a multitude of factors. These factors are important to understand because a shift in just one of them can drastically alter the price you need to pay for your procedure.
Surgeon’s Fee
Most of the time, the biggest chunk of your bill is going to come from the surgeon’s fee. Your surgeon will be doing most of the work on your procedure, including seeing you for a consultation, outlining your options based on your anatomy and desired outcome, planning out the procedure, performing the procedure, and monitoring your progress with follow up appointments.
Surgical fees usually depend on the level of experience that your cosmetic surgeon has. Someone who is right out of school and who has just achieved their board certification will typically charge less than someone who is very experienced and has a lot of labiaplasty before and after photos to prove their success rate.
Location Influence
Patients are often surprised to learn that the city and state where a given plastic surgery is performed will also influence the cost of the procedure.
In places where the cost of living is high, everything is going to be expensive — from a hamburger and fries to cosmetic surgery. And this includes labiaplasty.
Operation Costs
Your labiaplasty operation itself will also incur a number of individual costs. Wherever you undergo cosmetic surgeries, they are going to charge you for the use of their facility. So, if you have your labiaplasty at a hospital, you’re going to have to pay the hospital for use of their facilities, equipment, supplies, operating rooms, staff, etc.
Occasionally, a surgeon may have an accredited operating room at their practice, but this is rather rare. Most plastic surgeons will have privileges at a local hospital or an ambulatory surgery center that offers same-day surgical care.
In addition to facility fees, you’ll also need to pay for either general anesthesia or local anesthesia and for any specialized equipment or technology used during the surgery.
A labiaplasty procedure for enlarged labia minora — or any type of rejuvenation procedure for that matter — may involve the use of lasers, ultrasound technology, liposuction equipment, and more.
The Importance of Choosing a Qualified Labiaplasty Surgeon
Although the cost of labiaplasty is indeed an important factor when it comes to making your decision about a surgeon, it shouldn’t be the only factor you think about.
Most patients know that the quality of your surgeon truly matters. Still, some labiaplasty patients may decide to play fast and loose with their own health and choose a surgeon who is less than qualified for their surgical procedure.
To begin, it’s critical to choose only a board certified plastic surgeon to perform your rejuvenation labiaplasty. This certification may make the cost of labiaplasty go up, but it’s well worth it.
Board certified surgeons have proven their skill and knowledge in all areas of plastic surgery and have logged countless hours of training and the completion of two very difficult exams to prove it.
Next, make sure your surgeon regularly performs labiaplasty cosmetic procedures to remove excess labial tissue. Many women forget to ask their surgeons if they frequently perform this procedure. Knowing how and doing it often can be two very different things.
Finally, you want to have a good relationship with your surgeon. They should make you feel comfortable and confident about choosing them.
Does Insurance Cover Labiaplasty Costs?
Insurance may cover surgical labiaplasty if it is deemed medically necessary due to discomfort, hygiene issues, or other medical procedures related to pain or reconstructive needs. However, when performed for aesthetic concerns or to enhance female genital aesthetics, it is usually considered elective.
During the initial consultation, patients should discuss their medical history to determine eligibility and the total cost, including procedure cost and anesthesia. Since labiaplasty involves removing excess tissue or may tighten labial tissue, women choose labiaplasty for both functional and cosmetic reasons.
Non surgical alternatives and clitoral hood reduction options can affect the average cost ranges and overall average cost.
Cost of Labiaplasty FAQ
Does labiaplasty reduce the size of the labia majora?
No, typically, a labiaplasty cosmetic procedure reduces the size of the inner lips or labia minora. The labia majora or outer lips can be reduced in size (usually with liposuction) as a separate form of vaginal rejuvenation.
What is vaginal rejuvenation?
Vaginal rejuvenation is not one single plastic surgery procedure performed on the female genitalia.
Rather, it is an umbrella of vaginal rejuvenation procedures that can be performed to remove excess tissue, fat, and skin from the folds of the inner labia; to reduce the size of the clitoral hood; to reduce the size of the labia majora; or to tighten the vaginal canal.
When can I have sex after labiaplasty?
Once the excess labial skin has been removed, you need to wait at least four weeks or longer to have sexual intercourse or use a tampon. Check with your surgeon to know for sure.
How long is the recovery time from a labiaplasty procedure?
Labiaplasty recovery usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks. During this time, swelling decreases, discomfort diminishes, and patients gradually return to normal activities.
How much does laser labiaplasty cost?
The average labiaplasty cost will vary from patient to patient and surgery to surgery. Laser labiaplasty requires specialized technology, but it’s difficult to estimate these labiaplasty costs until you meet with your surgeon in person for a consultation.
Could I include a labiaplasty in my mommy makeover?
Yes, you could include labiaplasty as one of your plastic surgeries in a mommy makeover package. Other popular procedures to include are breast augmentation, tummy tuck, breast lift, and liposuction.
Is labiaplasty really painful?
Labiaplasty involves some physical discomfort during recovery, but experienced surgeons use local anesthesia with oral sedation to minimize pain during the procedure. Most patients experience swelling and soreness in the first week, manageable with prescribed pain medication.
By weeks 3-4, most are pain-free and no longer require prescription medication. The procedure is generally considered to have a smoother recovery compared to other cosmetic surgeries, with discomfort significantly decreasing after the initial two weeks.
How long does labiaplasty take to heal?
Full recovery typically takes 12 weeks, though the timeline varies based on procedure complexity and individual healing. Most patients return to light activities within one week and resume sexual activity after 4-6 weeks once the surgical site has healed adequately.
Women with elongated labia who undergo surgery for medical necessity often experience faster functional improvement. Initial swelling subsides significantly by six weeks, but final results become apparent after 4-6 months when residual swelling completely resolves.
Does labiaplasty leave a scar?
Wedge labiaplasty and other surgical techniques typically result in minimal scarring that becomes barely noticeable after complete healing. While laser treatments may reduce visible scarring, traditional methods performed by skilled surgeons yield excellent cosmetic outcomes. Some patients combine labiaplasty with other reconstructive surgeries during recovery planning.
Scars fade significantly over several months as tissue matures. The cost of a labiaplasty often reflects the surgeon’s expertise in achieving optimal aesthetic results with minimal visible scarring.
Request a Consultation Appointment
If you are struggling with excess skin on your labia minora and are seeking a labiaplasty procedure to improve your comfort and confidence, female board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Smita Ramanadham can help.
Call today to arrange your consultation with Dr. Ramanadham and find out if you’re a good candidate for labiaplasty.