If you have experienced pain, a lower self-esteem, or difficulty participating in regular activities due to excess labial tissue, labiaplasty may be a good option for your needs. This procedure is designed to adjust the shape and size of the labia by removing and reshaping excess skin. If you are feeling self-conscious or physically uncomfortable due to enlarged, stretched, loose, or asymmetrical labial skin, our board-certified plastic surgeon can perform advanced vaginal rejuvenation surgery to correct the problem with successful results.

Types of Labiaplasty Procedures

The three major types of labiaplasty procedures include:

Labia Minora Reduction – intended to remove extra skin at the inner lips of the vulva.
Labia Majora Reduction – designed to minimize excess skin at the outer lips of the genitalia.
Clitoral Hood Reduction – designed to eliminate extra skin hanging over the clitoris.

What Can Cause Excess Labial Tissue?

There are many factors that can lead to excess labial tissue, including:

Pregnancy – after having children, the labia can become stretched out and elongated.
Aging – as we get older, our skin experiences reduced collagen and elastin production, which may cause labial tissues to sag and droop.
Heredity – many women are born with excess labial tissue or develop it later in life because of simple genetics.

In addition to discomfort and even embarrassment, this common condition can create difficulty with sexual intimacy, exercise, and the simple act of walking. Some types of clothing may even be impossible to wear. Women with excess labial tissue could also be prone to more frequent yeast infections or labial tissue tears.

Labiaplasty can enhance your quality of life by providing added comfort and confidence. This procedure can be performed on women of all shapes, sizes, races, and ages, and it has helped women from many walks of life correct a very common condition with long-lasting results.

What to Expect

Labiaplasty is a very individualized procedure, and each patient will have a unique experience during the surgery and recovery process. During your confidential initial consultation at our plastic surgery and cosmetic enhancement practice, Dr. Wesley Schooler will help you determine a customized treatment plan and advise you on what to expect. Generally, labiaplasty is a quick procedure, usually taking no more than one hour. Utilizing either general or local anesthesia depending on your needs, your surgeon will gently remove excess labial tissue and reshape the remainder to provide you with the best possible result in terms of both comfort and aesthetics.

While patients will experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising for a few days following surgery, this should subside relatively quickly and can typically be alleviated with medication. Most women should be able to return to work and resume daily activities within 3 to 5 days. Dr. Schooler suggests patients refrain from wearing tight clothing and avoid sexual activity for up to 6 to 10 weeks after treatment to allow proper healing.

If you have any questions about labiaplasty, or if you would like to schedule a confidential consultation with Dr. Schooler, please contact our Santa Barbara office today.