The appearance of external sex organs can play a significant role in one’s self esteem. External folds in the genitals that are too large or overly asymmetrical are not aesthetically pleasing to some women.
This may cause embarrassment for sexually active women or those who wear tight-fitting clothing 
or swimsuits. In some cases, protuberant labia may also cause physical discomfort during sexual intercourse.
What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty corrects what is seen as an “unattractive” labial appearance. Labiaplasty is a specialized surgical procedure, which involves the reduction of the external folds the labia minora, the tissue around the vulval area of the vagina. This is done for either aesthetic or medical purposes, for some cases it can be a combination of both.
Why should women consider Labiaplasty?
There are many reasons for considering Labioplasty, but its main purpose should be for a woman to feel good about her and function better physiologically. Indications for Labiaplasty include:
- Labial disease or injury, such as after giving birth
- Vaginal fold that appear too big
- Asymmetrical labia
- Labia is too protuberant or hanging
- The size and thickness of the labia causes discomfort when engaging in physical activities such as sports.
- Discomfort when wearing tight clothes because the labia is unduly large
- When a woman wants her vagina to appear youthful.
What is done during the surgical procedure?
Labiaplasty is a relatively minor surgery and is done as an out-patient procedure. The traditional surgical technique involves trimming off the excess skin or flesh then over sewing the edge. Labiaplasty may still be useful for those women with unduly large labia or those with marked asymmetry between the two sides.
One disadvantage of traditional labiaplasty is the long vertical suture line, which may appear unnatural. In the newer technique, the reshaping is done by excising the protruding skin or flesh into a “V” shape, and then the upper and lower edges are sutured together. The only suture line appears as a small transverse line.
Labiaplasty usually takes 1- 1.5 hours under local anesthesia in most cases, but patients may also opt for general anesthesia. There are other procedures that may be done at the same time. Some women may wish to have a hoodectomy, which involves making the clitoris appear more exposed, and, as a result, it is easier to get sexually stimulated. It is also possible for some patients to undergo vaginoplasty, or vaginal rejuvenation, a procedure where the vaginal muscles are made tighter.
What are the Risks?
Like any surgical procedure, labiaplasty has its risks, such as bleeding, infection and scarring. There is also the minimal risk of under correction which should be easily addressed through a second operation.
To minimize the risk, it is important to avail the services of a plastic surgeon who is accredited by reputable groups such as the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It is sensible to find a cosmetic surgeon who has a decent track record and who has done labiaplasty hundreds of times before. It is also a good idea to talk to former patients.
What happens after the surgery?
There is usually only minor discomfort immediately after labiaplasty. Pain relievers may be taken for the first several days post-op. Generally, light activities may be resumed the same day but the surgeon may recommend refraining from heavy exercise and sexual intercourse for 3-4 weeks.
Although the area is expected to heal quickly, mild to moderate swelling usually occurs especially in 2-3 days after the procedure. Labiaplasty is done with soluble sutures, the incisions are almost inconspicuous when completely healed, and the lips of the vagina should be thinner and would have a better appearance.
Controversy
A considerable amount of controversy surrounds Labiaplasty. Some see this procedure as a self-inflicted genital mutilation. Many individuals raise concerns that many women wish to undergo Labiaplasty because it is largely marketing-driven and the media has been encouraging women to consider changing their external genitalia’s appearance by emphasizing how an “ideal” genitalia should look like.
However, it is still quite evident that this operation could favor women with very protuberant labia who frequently experience discomfort.