Dr. Arturo Valdez

Menu

Labiaplasty Surgery Side Effects

Labiaplasty Surgery Side Effects

Do you feel insecure about the size or shape of your labia? It’s a very private and intimate area, so any dissatisfaction can really affect your confidence.

A procedure that can address these issues is a labiaplasty. Not only can it enhance aesthetics, but it can also reduce discomfort if you have any.

It’s a relatively simple surgery, but it’s still a surgery nonetheless. In this article, we’ll discuss the possible labiaplasty surgery side effects you may experience. That way, you can easily figure out what’s normal or not, and then take the proper actions if needed.

Common Labiaplasty Surgery Side Effects

As with most other surgeries, it’s normal and common to experience several side effects, especially during the initial healing phase. Typically, they’ll resolve within a few weeks, so it’s nothing huge to worry about.

Here are the common side effects that you’ll likely go through yourself.

Swelling

It’s expected that you’ll get swelling; it’ll be at its worst (moderate to significant) for the first 1-2 weeks. After that, the swelling should go down, but it may last for up to six weeks or longer in some cases.

You can manage the swelling by using ice packs in short intervals. You can also elevate your hips and avoid wearing tight clothing.

Bruising

Another common and expected side effect is bruising; you’ll have mild to moderate bruising around the labia, as well as the surrounding area. It should resolve in 10-14 days.

Discomfort or Pain

Since there’s an incision and stitches, it’s likely that you’ll feel burning, aching, or a throbbing sensation in the surgical site. 

You can alleviate this by taking over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications. Rest up, and practice gentle hygiene too.

Temporary Numbness or Tingling

There may be nerve disturbance from the incisions or swelling. In most cases, it should be temporary, and it should improve within a few weeks to a few months.

Possible Labiaplasty Complications

In general, labiaplasty is a safe surgery to get, as long as you research your surgeon options and opt for someone who’s reputable and experienced. However, complications can still arise, even in the best of circumstances. This is especially true if you don’t follow post-operative care properly.

Here are the risks of labiaplasty you should be aware of.

Bleeding

Initially, you might have some minor spotting for a few days; this is normal. However, excessive bleeding after labiaplasty isn’t. This is indicative of a hematoma or vessel disruption.

If you’re soaking multiple pads in an hour, and you have a sudden increase in pain or swelling, this is a red flag. There may also be visible pooling of blood under the skin.

Infection

Any surgical procedure can lead to an infection if bacteria get into the incision sites. This can result from either a bad procedure or poor post-surgical care.

The signs of infection after labiaplasty include:

  • Increased redness or warmth around the incision site
  • Pus-like discharge that’s yellow or green
  • Fever or chills
  • Foul odor from the surgical site

To prevent this from happening, you should keep the area clean and dry. You should avoid baths, pools, and sexual activity until you’re cleared by your surgeon. Plus, follow all antibiotic regimens if you’re prescribed them.

Incision Reopening (Wound Dehiscence)

You’re supposed to refrain from strenuous activities since they might reopen the wound. But sometimes, it may still happen if there’s trauma or poor healing.

The signs are:

  • Partial or full reopening of the incision
  • Visible raw tissue
  • Bleeding or pain at the wound site

Scarring and Asymmetry

Hypertrophic or keloid scars can grow, especially if you’re prone to excessive scar formation. The results may also be asymmetrical if the healing is uneven or the surgeon removed tissue disproportionately.

Over-Resection

If too much tissue is removed, you can experience over-resection. This can then cause:

  • Chronic dryness
  • Painful intercourse
  • Exposure of sensitive clitoral tissue

Does Labiaplasty Affect Sensation?

Yes, labiaplasty may impact your nerve endings. As a result, you may experience altered sensations.

These are the main ones to watch out for.

Numbness

This is often temporary, as this is caused by nerve stretching or disruption during surgery. Recovery may take weeks to months, so be patient.

Hypersensitivity

On the other hand, you might experience hypersensitivity in areas such as the clitoral hood or labial edge; this may happen due to over-resection. This can cause discomfort during daily activities or intimacy.

Permanent Sensation Changes

Permanent sensation changes are rare, but definitely still possible. It’s more likely in labiaplasty surgeries that have aggressive tissue removal or clitoral hood alterations.

When to Seek Medical Help

While some of the above side effects can go away on their own, others may be more serious. You should call your surgeon immediately if you have the following:

  • Persistent or heavy bleeding
  • Signs of infection
  • Severe or worsening pain that’s not controlled by medication
  • Opening of the incision
  • Unusual discharge or foul smell

Psychological and Emotional Side Effects

Not only is it possible to have physical side effects from labiaplasty, but also psychological and emotional ones.

If you go into the surgery with unrealistic expectations, then it can lead to dissatisfaction. You may be left with body image concerns. Your sexual self-esteem may improve or decline, depending on the outcome and how the healing process goes.

Post-operative depression is a possibility too. It’s not uncommon to feel regret, anxiety, and emotional downturn during recovery. It’s a lot to handle at once, but these feelings should only be temporary.

Understand What Possible Side Effects Can Occur

Labiaplasty surgery side effects are a reality, even though it’s a relatively safe procedure. To lessen your risks, make sure you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has experience in labiaplasty. 

You should also follow all pre- and post-operative instructions carefully. Not only will this help you heal better and faster, but it’ll also make you more comfortable. And when you get the results you wished for, you’ll have better physical comfort and improved confidence.

If you’re interested in having labiaplasty surgery, then get in touch with us today. Dr. Arturo Valdez is a specialist in cosmetic and plastic surgery with over 16 years of experience.

References:

Tagged ,