Labiaplasty, sometimes spelled labioplasty, refers to reconstructive surgery performed on the labia minora, the inner lips of the vagina. Women who are interested in labiaplasty complain of pain, discomfort or irritation during physical activity, sexual intercourse, or wearing certain types of clothing as a result of enlarged labia.

Some women are also interested in labia majora reduction to get rid of the excessive fatty deposits in the outer vaginal lips. (Watch labiaplasty videos)

Here are some common questions women have about labia reduction, labiaplasty surgery.

Q: How do I know if my labia are normal sized?

A: There is no such thing as "normal" size for labia minora. Every woman is different. In addition, in some women, one labia may be longer than the other (left vs. right side). According to some surveys, women seem to prefer that their labia minora be of equal size and not protrude past the length of the labia majora. Most of our labia reduction surgery patients expressed a desire that their labia minora be equal to, or lower, than the level of the labia majora (outer lips of the vagina). See labiaplasty before and after pictures

Q. My inner vaginal lips (labia minora) are too long. Can I have them reduced?

A: The labia minora can be aesthetically sculptured to your specifications with laser reduction labioplasty.

Q: Does Dr. Hailparn use only a laser to do labia reduction surgery?

A: Dr. Hailparn is comfortable and experienced in using both the laser and scalpel when performing labiaplasty surgery. She uses whatever instruments she believes will give you the best results for your labia contouring.

Q: How long does labiaplasty surgery take? Where is it performed? How long does it take to recover from labia reduction surgery?

A: Depending on the complexity of the case, labia minora reduction is usually completed in less than an hour and is done in a state licensed out-patient surgery center. Most women can return to work in 4-6 days and full recovery generally takes 6-8 weeks.

Q: What are the risks of labia reduction surgery (labiaplasty)?

A: The primary complications of labiaplasty are: infection, hemorrhage, scarring, hypersensitivity, painful intercourse, and being unhappy with the aesthetic results.

This surgery is a quality of life issue and large labia are not considered a medical condition. Since this is an irreversible procedure, it's important to keep in mind the labia can never be replaced. That's why it's important that you are sure you want labia reduction surgery and that you do it with a labiaplasty surgeon who is highly competent and experienced in doing these procedures.

At the Cosmetic Gynecology Center of San Antonio (formally Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation Institute of San Antonio), we have seen women with botched labiaplasties done by doctors who lack the skill, experience and expertise. Although Dr. Hailparn can repair many of these poorly done surgeries, even with her specialized training and extensive experience (over 1500 LVR and labiaplasty procedures), there are some that can't be fixed.

If you are considering labiaplasty or need labiaplasty repair, the Cosmetic Gynecology Center of San Antonio offers and encourages you to have a complimentary telephone conversation with Dr. Hailparn, our gynecologic surgeon, to address your issues and discuss our procedures. You can schedule a telephone conversation by calling 210-615-6646 or you can make a request via e-mail. Simply provide your telephone number and the best time to contact you. Our policy is to return your call or e-mail the day it is received.

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