Labiaplasty (labial reduction surgery) changes the appearance of the labia, relieving irritation and reducing their size.
Many women suffer from oversized or asymmetrical inner labia (labia minora), the folds of skin or inner lips surrounding the entrance to the vagina. Elongated inner labia which extend past the outer vaginal lips (labia majora) can cause discomfort when wearing bathing suits or other revealing or tight fitting clothing.
Dr Cope performs the surgery as a day-surgery procedure, with return to work in 7-10 days and return to sexual activity in 3 weeks*.
*Note results vary from person to person
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of labiaplasty varies from patient to patient. A number of factors can affect the total costs of the procedure, such as:
Surgeon’s fee
This will depend on the experience and expertise of your surgeon.
The type of labiaplasty surgery
More complex surgical techniques tend to cost more.
Anaesthetist’s fees
This will also depend on the experience and expertise of the anaesthetist. Depending on the anaesthetist, he or she may charge by the hour or procedure.
Hospital fees
You may need to pay more if you need to stay overnight in the hospital (usually about $350 to $400 extra). Depending on your condition, you may be able to go home the day of your surgery.
Other costs
This may include medical tests, medications, and equipment used during the surgery.
After your consultation with Dr Cope, we will provide you with a detailed and personalised breakdown of the total costs of your labiaplasty surgery, although you can expect your total costs (including surgeon, anaesthetist and hospital fees) to start at around $10,000.
Labiaplasty can be performed at any age after your body has finished growing. If you are about to have children soon then you should wait until after you have children, as in some people labial size increases with childbirth – if you are young and this is many years away then this should not be an issue. Labiaplasty can also be used to improve differences between the labia (minor asymmetry is common and essentially normal) if this is bothering you.
Labiaplasty reduces the size of the labia minora, the folds of skin or inner lips at the entrance of the vagina, making them less prominent. If you have large inner labia causing discomfort during everyday activities, sport and intercourse, then these symptoms are likely to be improved with the surgery*.
There are many techniques of labiaplasty,with the commonest being the ‘inferior wedge technique‘, which leaves a normal appearance to the inner labia. Some people are concerned about the dark skin on the edge of their inner labia – in order to remove this a different technique removing the edge is required, with more obvious scars. In some people require fat transfer to the outer labia is needed to make the inner labia not as visible. To some extent the best technique depends on your individual anatomy – Dr Charles Cope will discuss options with you and be able to provide you with an individualised plan to give you the result you are after.
The scars for the commonest method (inferior wedge) of labiaplasty fade well and are rarely obvious, with a normal appearance to the labial edge – it is uncommon for any one to be able to tell that the surgery has been performed. In some other techniques (removing the labial edge) the scars can be more obvious.
Labiaplasty is performed as a day surgery procedure under general anaesthetic in an accredited hospital (following NSW Dept Health guidelines)
During the first few days after surgery you need to rest and take things quietly at home. Ice packs will help minimise the bruising and swelling after the surgery. You can shower normally, and you need to apply antiseptic ointment to the wounds a few times a day. Most people return to work within 5 days after labiaplasty*.
For most people it is 2-3 weeks until they are ready to return to intimacy, sport and full activities*.
*Note results may vary from person to person
