Many women are unhappy with their labia or are struggling with pain and physical discomfort because of a condition called labial hypertrophy (long or enlarged labia).
This issue can lead to rubbing against undergarments, which may be painful and even lead to irritated, broken skin. It can also cause increased sensitivity around the labia — and pain throughout daily living and/or during sexual activity that may disrupt a woman’s quality of life. Enlarged labia cause problems that women with smaller labia might never imagine.
Fortunately, a procedure called labiaplasty can swiftly and effectively take care of this problem by removing excess skin from the labia minora. Read through even two or three labiaplasty recovery testimonials and you’ll instantly see how significant this surgery can be to the lives of those with labial hypertrophy. After the recovery process is over, the surgical site is basically invisible.
Labiaplasty is a simple outpatient procedure. Essentially, it eliminates excess labial tissue and reduces the overall size of the enlarged labia minora so that they extend only slightly outside of the labia majora or are flush with the labia majora.
According to our professional experience as well as peer reviewed studies, labiaplasty recovery generally takes about six weeks overall, though all patients are different.
Let’s take a look at the details regarding labiaplasty healing and how long you should expect to be laid up from this cosmetic surgery and avoid sexual intercourse.
LABIAPLASTY RECOVERY TIMELINE
For most labiaplasty procedure patients, the labiaplasty recovery timeline takes about six weeks. At this point, you should be able to see the full results from your surgery, and you can return to normal activities like exercise.
Do keep in mind that all patients and all surgeries are different, however. Recovery from labiaplasty can vary depending on the patient. As a result, the various symptoms of labiaplasty healing will improve and dissipate at different rates.
For example, you might want to know how long does labiaplasty swelling last. Typically, patients will experience swelling after labiaplasty for around four to six weeks.
But in some cases, swelling may last the first week or a bit longer. Usually, swelling is the last of the labiaplasty side effects to completely disappear.
Let’s take a look at your labiaplasty recovery timeline week by week.
First 2-3 days after surgery: Labiaplasty is typically an outpatient surgery, so you’ll be able to go home immediately after your surgical procedure. You will receive aftercare instructions, which you will need to follow closely, prescription pain medications, and a date for your first follow-up appointment with Dr. Smita R. Ramanadham.
You will experience some bleeding, swelling, soreness, and inflammation of the skin right away during your labiaplasty recovery. This will be worse during the recovery period for the first three days and will improve after that. Most discomfort can be handled with pain medication. Make sure to refrain from sexual activity during this period.
1 week post-surgery: After the initial days of your labiaplasty recovery process, you can begin to do some light walking here and there. Always wait for the go-ahead from Dr. Smita, and don’t forget to take it slow and stay on top of your pain relieving medication.
Swelling and skin inflammation should start to subside at the one-week mark, and cold compresses can help to further healing properly ease any soreness.
Continue to follow the post-surgery care instructions provided to you by Dr. Smita to help ensure proper healing of your scar tissue and contact her if you have any questions.
Patients will usually see Dr. Smita for their first follow-up appointment after about one week. This is also generally when your stitches will be removed.
2-4 weeks post-surgery: In the second and third weeks of your labiaplasty healing process, slow and gentle walks will continue to help promote better circulation and reduce swelling.
If you have noticed a significant improvement in inflammation, soreness, and swelling, you can discontinue the use of the cold compress or compresses.
Your labia and the general surrounding area should feel a lot less tender, and sitting and performing other simple movements should become easier by the day.
4-6 weeks post-surgery: By this time, most patients are able to return to light physical activity. Please make sure that exercising is okay with Dr. Smita first, however.
6+ weeks post-surgery: Full labiaplasty healing is usually achieved by six weeks after surgery. You should be able to see your full results at this point.
Sexual activity can resume although some patients do have some minor residual swelling after the six-week mark, but this should dissipate completely in the following weeks and months.
TOP TIPS FOR SPEEDING UP LABIAPLASTY HEALING TIME
- Follow all aftercare instructions closely. Plastic surgeons provide detailed directions to manage pain and optimize recovery. Do not stray from these instructions as doing so may put you at higher risk for infection or incision site irritation, which can prolong the labiaplasty healing period.
- As long as they are recommended by your surgeon, use cold compresses to reduce swelling and pain.
- Restrict your activity level. This will be detailed in your aftercare instructions, but essentially, you want to allow your body to rest as much as possible. Therefore, do not exercise, lift heavy objects, or have sex. Doing too much activity can irritate your incision sites and exert your body too much overall, which may lead to complications.
- Sleep. Get a good night’s sleep every night, and take naps during the day as long as they do not interfere with your night sleep.
- Consume a nutritious diet, and drink at least 60 to 80 ounces of water every day. This will help keep your body strong and healthy and will flush out excess fluids.
ARE THERE ANY LABIAPLASTY SURGERY SIDE EFFECTS?
Labiaplasty surgery side effects include:
- Labiaplasty Swelling
- Bruising
- Light bleeding
- Irritated labial tissue
- Fatigue
- Soreness and tenderness
- Difficulty urinating
- Difficulty sitting
WHEN CAN I RETURN TO WORK AFTER A LABIAPLASTY?
This will largely depend on how Dr. Smita sees your labiaplasty healing progress.
Most patients can expect to go back to work after just two to four days. Of course, if you work at a physically demanding job, you may have more restrictions when returning to work.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT MY HEALING?
If you are at all concerned about your labiaplasty healing, contact your surgeon right away. Some signs that may indicate there could be a complication recovery from labiaplasty surgery include:
- Severe, persistent pain (especially when it does not respond to pain meds)
- Fever
- Chills
- Discharge or bright red blood coming from the incision sites
- Other worsening symptoms
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LABIAPLASTY SURGERY
Want to learn more about labiaplasty healing and surgery? Contact the office of board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Smita today to schedule your consultation appointment.
References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21953-labiaplasty