Labiaplasty is generally described as a surgery to cut down and aesthetically correct the inner lips, which are congenital or enlarged, elongated, darkened, sagging or irregular with adolescence. Sometimes it can be done because one lip part, which we call “labial asymmetry”, is longer or in a different structure than the other.
Such surgeries are among the modern gynecological aesthetic operations; It is applied by private centers in many countries, especially in the USA and European countries, for both functional and cosmetic reasons. The number of labiaplasty surgeries is increasing at an average rate of 20% every year around the world.
What does labiaplasty mean? Word meaning
Labiaplasty is to give an aesthetic appearance to the genital lips, which is generally called “labium”.
Names such as “labia minora aesthetics”, “labia minoraplasty” or “labia minora reduction” are also given to shortening the inner lips and giving them a smoother appearance with aesthetic stitches. Therefore, although the operation to shorten and reduce the inner lips is known as labiaplasty, its real name is ‘labia minora aesthetics’, ‘labia minora reduction’ or ‘labia minoraplasty’.
Labium means “lip” in Latin. As a matter of fact, the middle region of the external genitalia resembles the lip structure. “Labia” means “lips” in the plural. -Plastic suffix describes the plastic surgery performed (For example, Rhinoplasty describes nose aesthetics, Abdominoplasty describes abdominal aesthetics, Vaginoplasty describes vaginal aesthetics). In other words, it means “lip aesthetics”.
Where is the inner lip? Where are the outer lips?
Small lips in the inner part of the external genitalia are called “labium minus” (inner lip), and large lips with a slight bump on the outside are called “labium majus” (outer lip). The inner lips are hairless, and the outer lips are covered with genital hairs.
Which structures are in the female external genitalia?
External genitalia in women include mons pubis (pubic bump), labium majus (big lip), labium minus (small lip), clitoris, and vestibulum. The mons pubis is the fatty, hairy area above the pubic bone. In general, the hairless, pink, excitable structure inside the labia majora is the inner lips. The clitoris, on the other hand, is the pleasure organ of women, which consists of 3 parts in the shape of “Y” at the upper junction of the labia minora and can be stimulated (erogenous). The equivalent of the penis in men is the clitoris in women.
Inner Lip Sagging
The sagging, elongation or increased width of the inner lips in the genital area is known as “labial hypertrophy”. In other words, labial hypertrophy describes the structurally larger, drooping, raised and wide genital lip parts.
Why is labiaplasty performed?
The most common reason for labiaplasty is the sagging of the inner lips from the outer lips. In other words, it is done due to labial hypertrophy. It is also done in symmetry problems where one lip is different from the other. On the other hand, labiaplasty (revision surgery) can also be performed for people who are not satisfied with the results after undergoing labiaplasty surgery in different centers. Excessive darkening (hyperpigmentation) on the edges of the inner lips is also a reason for labiaplasty.
The drooping, wrinkled, dark-colored and asymmetrical appearance of the inner lips can cause many aesthetic concerns as well as many functional problems. For this reason, labiaplasty surgery provides psychological, cosmetic, hygienic, sexual and functional benefits.
Reasons for labiaplasty
Some of the problems caused by drooping lips are:
- Shame and loss of self-confidence
- Distortion in body image
- Pain due to stretching during sexual intercourse, feeling of pain
- Inability to feel during sexual intercourse (especially if the clitoris is covered with a lot of skin)
- Chronic local irritation (irritation)
- Frequent vaginal infection
- Hygiene problems during menstruation and after toilet needs
- Sweating, odor and infection problems after exercises like fitness
- Rubbing when wearing tight pants
- Recognizing the genital area from the outside when wearing tights type clothes
- Discomfort when walking, cycling and sitting
In our world, where the use of social media and the internet has become widespread, the excesses in the inner lips have become more important in the minds and have become an important problem that affects the whole life. Especially in Western society, it is the general expectation of patients that the inner lips are located inside the outer lips.
The widespread use of genital wax and the rapidly growing pornography industry are among the reasons for the increase in labiaplasty operations.
According to my own observations, some sexual traumas in childhood or adolescence may also cause labiaplasty desire.
It is important that the surgeon planning the operation tries to understand the patient by asking different questions, to measure their expectations, and to discover whether their complaints are more psychological or functional by empathizing.
Vagina Tongue Prolapse
Among the public, the protrusion of the inner lips beyond the outer lips is also described as “drooping tongue” or “vaginal sagging“. These are actually misrepresentations. The expression ‘lip drooping’ would be more appropriate instead of drooping tongue or prolapse of the tongue in the genital area.
Does labiaplasty damage the hymen?
Labiaplasty surgery does not damage the inner hymen, so the operation can be easily performed on virgins. It is also observed that when applied with the right technique, it has positive effects on sexual pleasure in the post-operative period.
How is the labiaplasty operation performed?
The labiaplasty operation, which is performed to cut the inner lips and reduce them aesthetically, can be performed under local anesthesia, general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia in a hospital or in a suitable clinical environment. It provides convenience for patients, especially when it can be performed in a clinical setting with local anesthesia. However, this option is also open for patients who want to be in hospital conditions.
Who performs labiaplasty surgery?
Labiaplasty surgery is performed by gynecologists and plastic surgeons who have developed themselves in this field. However, training on genital aesthetic surgeries is not included in the specialization process of physicians. For this reason, many physicians strive to improve themselves with individual effort. In order to avoid any problems after the operation, it is essential that the physician who will perform the operation has knowledge and experience in this field. It is one of the advantageous aspects of gynecologist physicians to have a good command of the anatomy and physiology of the genital area.
ACOG (American Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology) published a new bulletin on optional female genital cosmetic surgery in January 2020. In this bulletin, it is emphasized that sexual dysfunctions (problems) can be corrected with genital surgeries, but for this, it is important for the physician who will perform the operation to be educated about sexual dysfunctions and psychiatric disorders.
What are labiaplasty techniques?
Different surgical techniques can be selected according to the patient’s tissue, demands and the surgeon’s experience. It is important that the physician who will perform labiaplasty surgery has at least a few of the following techniques. The most commonly applied labiaplasty techniques are:
- Deepithelization (Delamination): It is a labioplasty technique performed by peeling the labia from the inside and outside (Figure A).
- V plasty: Wedge-shaped tissue removal (Figure B).
- Partial resection: It is the removal of the edge of the inner lips by cutting (Figure C).
- Laser labiaplasty: It is laser cutting of the inner lip.
- Lower wedge resection with upper pedicle reconstruction: It is suturing the upper segment by sliding it downwards after removing the triangular tissue from below (Figure D).
- Z plasty: It is the removal of Z-shaped tissue (Figure E).
Which is the most successful surgical technique in labiaplasty?
The most commonly used surgical techniques are partial resection and V plasty. However, it is important to choose the most successful technique according to the person’s structure, tissue quality, location and size of the sagging.
How long does labiaplasty surgery take and how is it after?
The labiaplasty operation usually takes between 45 minutes and one and a half hours. This period exceeds one hour, especially in those who have a wide lip structure or those who will undergo clitoris region correction (hudoplasty).
What are the benefits of labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is mostly performed due to aesthetic concerns of people. However, when applied with the right technique, it provides many medical, hygienic and functional benefits. It also has positive effects on pleasure in sexual intercourse. Therefore, the satisfaction level of the patients after the surgery is quite high.
What are the risks of labiaplasty?
As with any surgery, it must be performed by experienced physicians. Otherwise, some negative consequences may occur. Some of the complications that can be experienced are loss of symmetry after the surgery, scallopping of the outer edges like a ‘saw tooth’, infection, dispersion of urine in different directions during urination due to excess tissue removal, pain during sexual intercourse, and vaginal dryness.
As a result of excessive removal or lifting of the clitoris skin, the head of the clitoris may be irritated by friction. Scar tissue formation and loss of sensation are among the complications that can be seen.
When the labiaplasty operation is performed with a personalized technique, no loss of sensation occurs. There is even a certain increase in sexual pleasure. Most of the time, the wound heals without any suture marks.
What is the most important part of the labiaplasty operation?
The most important point in labiaplasty surgery is the simultaneous removal of the tissue above the clitoris. If this tissue is not removed properly, a ‘penis appearance’ occurs in the middle. For this reason, in most operations, the upper clitoris area should also be shaved. This aesthetic operation performed on the upper part of the clitoris is called ‘clitoral hudoplasty’.
What are the benefits of clitoris aesthetics?
It is possible to achieve the most ideal results with clitoral hudoplasty performed simultaneously with labiaplasty. In addition, after removing the excess skin tissue on the clitoris organ, an increase in pleasure may occur. Clitoral hoodoplasty is a special operation due to its location and must be performed by experienced physicians. Otherwise, negative results may be encountered.
What is ‘barbie vagina aesthetics’ in labiaplasty?
The barbie vagina aesthetic trend in labiaplasty surgeries, which was first mentioned in California, USA, has spread rapidly all over the world. In Barbie vagina aesthetics, the inner lips are quite short and are completely inside the outer lips. When viewed from the outside, only a thin, straight, sexy line is observed.
For the first time in our country, barbie vagina aesthetics was performed by Dr. It was introduced by Süleyman Eserdağ. The barbie vaginal plastic surgeries in our concept include labioplasty, clitoral hudoplasty and labia majora fat filling procedures. The aim is to provide the structure in which a single thin line appears in the middle.
Natural vagina appearance
For those who want to have a more natural appearance, a ‘natural vagina appearance’ can be achieved without shortening the inner lips too much. This appearance is also known as the ‘hybrid vagina’. In these operations, a small amount of tissue is removed from the inner lips and the natural appearance is preserved. Only the volume of the lips is slightly reduced.
What is the best view in labiaplasty?
The best appearance in labiaplasty should be determined according to the patient’s structure, desire and sociocultural values. However, according to our own experience, the most desired appearance by labiaplasty patients in our country is barbie vagina aesthetics.
What should be considered after labiaplasty?
It is normal to have mild bleeding, pain, burning, stinging and edema in the postoperative period. In case of bleeding more than menstrual bleeding or sudden swelling of the tissue, the physician should be contacted. Due to its anatomical location, this region heals extremely quickly.
In general, you can return to school or work life after three days. Especially during the first week, regular dressings and compliance with general hygiene rules also shorten the healing process. The stitches that are thrown usually fall off on their own within 20 days. After labiaplasty, sexual life, sports, yoga, pilates, pool, Turkish bath, sea and massage are free after 1 (one) month.
Who should have labiaplasty surgery?
Anyone over the age of 18 can have labiaplasty surgery, whose inner lips protrude beyond their outer lips and therefore have psychological and functional problems. Being a virgin or being in menopause is not an obstacle for labiaplasty operation.