Schnheitschirurgie

Labia correction

What is a labia surgery?

The labioplasty is also called labioplasty in medical terminology.
This type of intimate surgery is often performed for genital aesthetic reasons, but it can also be medically necessary.

The most common correction of the labia is the reduction of the labia. This is an option for most women if the inner labia are so long that they are not covered by the outer labia.

Read more about enlarged inner labia.

indication

The vast majority of labia corrections are performed for aesthetic reasons.

For example, in the case of labia minora, the inner labia are shortened so that the outer labia completely cover the inner labia again. In some cases, patients even put forward a medical reason, even though their motives are mainly cosmetic.
However, the transition between a purely aesthetic problem and an actual medical indication is fluid.

Medical necessity exists if the anatomical conditions lead to serious health problems. Such exist, for example, when the outer labia are so long that they interfere with exercise and movement and rubbing and then become inflamed, swollen and painful again and again.
In the event of this increased risk of infection, the operation can be considered medically necessary.

preparation

Before the procedure can be undertaken, some tests need to be done to discuss what exactly needs to be corrected.

In addition, the patient must decide on a type of anesthesia and be informed about all risks and possible complications. The costs should also be discussed.

Unless the procedure is carried out under local anesthesia, no food should be consumed 24 hours before the operation.

Course of the operation

Logically, the course of the operation also depends on what type of correction is being carried out on you.

Even with labia reduction, there are numerous different surgical techniques, depending on which parts of the labia and how much tissue is to be removed. In addition, the position of the clitoris can be corrected or not in the course of the operation.The procedure is often performed under local anesthesia, although this is also variable.

The required tissue is removed from the inner labia with an incision and the wound edges are then closed. For example, self-dissolving suture material that does not have to be removed afterwards can be used for this.

Aftercare

Follow-up treatment depends on the type of operation.
As with any operation, you should take the prescribed medication and take care of yourself. If you have been treated on an outpatient basis, have yourself taken home and do not drive independently.

You should cool the surgical area, especially with labia reduction.
For the first 6 weeks, you should not over-irritate the region.

Avoid the following during this time:

Sexual intercourse,
the insert of tampons,
Swimming in chlorinated water,
Shaving the intimate area,
Equestrian sports or jogging.

You can continue to do sports in which the legs and private parts do not rub against each other.
For the first week, you should only shower with clear water without shower gel or shampoo.

What are the risks?

Any operation in which the body's own tissue is removed can lead to numerous complications.
For example to:

heavy bleeding,
Infections,
Inflammation,
Wound healing disorders or
subsequent scarring.

This is also the case with labia correction, whereby scars on the mucous membranes of the genital area almost always remain very inconspicuous and heal well.

In the case of labia surgery, bladder infections often occur, as bacterial infections easily migrate up to the bladder as a result of the procedure. Immediately after the operation, you may experience pain when urinating, either because of an infection or because of the irritation caused by the procedure.

In the healing phase, pain during sexual intercourse is also not uncommon. Sensory disturbances in the genital area also rarely occur due to the irritation of the nerves.
Immediately after the operation, swelling is normal for the first few weeks. You may also have bruises.

What result can be expected?

After a labia reduction surgery, the inner labia should be covered by the outer ones.

However, the final result of the operation cannot be assessed immediately after the operation, as the wounds are still swollen and have to heal completely. This healing process can take up to 6 months.

The result is not necessarily completely satisfactory for the patient in every case.
In this case, further possible treatments must be discussed with the doctor.

How painful is that?

The painfulness of the procedure depends on the individual pain perception and the type of correction.

Immediately after a labia minora reduction, there is usually a burning sensation and pressure in the operating area, which can sometimes persist even when painkillers are taken.
However, these symptoms usually only last about a day and can be compared to the pain of a cystitis.

Duration of the operation

The length of time a labia surgery takes depends heavily on the type of correction being made.
The most common practice is to reduce the size of the labia. The duration of the operation changes depending on how much tissue is to be removed during the labia reduction.

The procedure usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes.

A vaginal tightening or narrowing takes between 2 and 3 hours and is usually carried out in an inpatient setting.

Length of sick leave

The length of the sick leave depends on the procedure performed, the complications that have occurred and your personal condition.

After a labia reduction, you can usually go back to work after 2 days in a job that is mainly done while sitting. In standing professions, you should be without work for a few days longer.
If complications or severe pain occur, your doctor will keep you on sick leave.

Duration of total healing

The healing of the labia surgery also depends on the specific procedure that took place. In addition, every person not only has an individual sense of pain, the wound healing abilities can also differ greatly.

With a labia reduction, you should refrain from rubbing and straining for the first 6 weeks.
Therefore, sexual intercourse, chlorinated water, the use of tampons and most sports are not recommended.
You should avoid exposure to sunlight for half a year. After this time, you should generally not be exposed to any restrictions.

The healing process should therefore be completely over after about 6 months.

When does the health insurance company pay the costs?

The health insurance only pays the costs if the procedure is actually medically necessary and is not purely optically motivated.
The doctor responsible can usually assess whether the health insurance company can cover the costs in each case.

There is a medical need, for example, if the labia lead to significant health restrictions without correction.
These include:

frequent infections,
Pain or
mental disorders.

If the costs are to be covered by the health insurance company, this must be applied for before the operation. This application will then be checked by the medical service of the health insurance companies.
Unfortunately, the health insurance fund rarely pays for this type of surgery.

How high are the costs?

The cost of the procedure depends on the type of operation, the respective clinic and the treating doctor, the selected anesthesia and whether an outpatient or inpatient stay was chosen.

The cost of a labia reduction can be between 1,500 and 5,000 euros.

Since the vaginal tightening is one of the more complex procedures, the costs are slightly higher here. This usually costs between 2,500 and 8,000 euros.

Does it make sense to go abroad because of the costs?

Since the cost of a labia surgery is only rarely covered by health insurance companies, many patients are dependent on paying more attention to the costs during their operation.
Some clinics abroad, for example in the Czech Republic or Poland, offer labia corrections at relatively low prices.

However, you should note that your travel expenses are added to these costs. If you include this, the cost difference is put into perspective a little. In addition, you will expose yourself to increased stress on the journey home shortly after the procedure.

However, we cannot generally advise against an intervention abroad.
Experiences with clinics and doctors abroad vary - as in Germany, there are satisfied and dissatisfied patients there too.
Before the planned operation, it is essential to research whether the hygiene standards in the chosen clinic are safe and ask former patients of the clinic about their experiences.