A Look at Labiaplasty Techniques & Picking the Best One

93267635More and more women are interested in having labiaplasty or other gynecological procedures performed in order to help them look and feel more like themselves again. There are number of reasons why you might consider labiaplasty, including feeling self-conscious about the size, shape or symmetry of your labia, discomfort when wearing tight clothing or difficulty exercising or having sex.

Labiaplasty can help to address concerns like these, and there are several different surgical techniques that may be involved in your procedure, depending on your unique natural anatomy and goals for your final results.

The first step in any plastic surgery procedure is to choose a trusted and experienced plastic surgeon who can guide you through each of your surgical options and help you to make the right decision based on your needs. Dr. Jennifer Harrington serves Minneapolis-St. Paul as well as outlying communities including Minnetonka, Wayzata, St. Cloud and Sartell. Her office and state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center are conveniently located and the practice can coordinate travel arrangements with you.

Here is an overview of a few of the most common labiaplasty techniques, as well as their unique benefits and some tips for deciding which might be the right choice for you.

What Is Labiaplasty?

alignrightBefore getting into the details of each surgical technique, it can be helpful to first understand what labiaplasty is and who may be able to benefit from this procedure. Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that can reshape the folds of your vaginal lips in order to achieve a smoother, more feminine look and to also alleviate any discomfort caused by enlarged labia.

Generally speaking, there are two primary types of labiaplasty surgery, and each focuses on a specific part of your anatomy. Depending on your individual needs, you may benefit from one or both of these different procedures:

  • Labia minora reduction involves your inner vaginal lips, which can change in shape or size due to childbirth, hormonal fluctuations and even the natural aging process. This type of labiaplasty can reduce the size of your labia minora to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, as well as reduce concerns such as irritation or rubbing when wearing certain styles of clothing. The end result is a smoother and more symmetrical look that is in better harmony with your outer labia.
  • Labia majora reduction addresses your outer vaginal lips, which may be overly large or asymmetrical. For many women, this can result in low self-confidence and discomfort when performing certain exercises, having sex or wearing tight clothing. Women who opt for a labia majora reduction often feel a renewed sense of self and a significant improvement in any discomfort related to the size or shape of their outer labia.

If you experience any of these concerns and find that they get in the way of fully enjoying life, you could be a good candidate for labiaplasty and should discuss your surgical options with your plastic surgeon. 

Who Can Benefit from Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is quickly becoming a popular cosmetic procedure that helps women to look and feel more like themselves. If you’re dissatisfied with the appearance or function of your intimate anatomy, you may be a great candidate for a labiaplasty.

Just some of the many benefits of this procedure are:

  • Increased self-confidence
  • Improved sexual satisfaction
  • Fosters a positive body image
  • Creates more aesthetically pleasing symmetry
  • Reduces or eliminates uncomfortable rubbing or irritation
  • Helps tight clothing to fit better and feel more comfortable

Your Labiaplasty Options

There are a number of different surgical techniques that a plastic surgeon may incorporate into a labiaplasty. However, at Harrington + Associates Plastic Surgery, Dr. Harrington specializes in the Trim-V technique. 

Why the Trim-V Technique Trumps All Other Approaches

As a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon, the leader of an all-female plastic surgery team and a woman herself, Dr. Harrington understands firsthand the importance of preserving an authentic appearance in the labia, which is why she pioneered the Trim-V labiaplasty method. The Trim-V technique is a modification of the traditional linear trim and utilizes a curvilinear incision rather than a straight line across the labia. The arced incision created with the Trim-V technique yields a more natural look and feel than a linear trim, which leaves a visible straight line scar and may not be able to effectively reduce and reshape your clitoral hood in the same way that the Trim-V method is able to.

Your plastic surgeon should work with you to help minimize the appearance of scarring to create a very natural-looking end result.

Many male plastic surgeons may commonly use other labiaplasty techniques, such as the linear trim and V-wedge, that don’t offer as much nuance and subtlety in the final result. A linear trim approach to labiaplasty involves trimming away any excess skin along the outer edge of your labia in a linear fashion in order to achieve the desired smoother look and feel. This labiaplasty technique may be used to remove tissue on either side of the labia, as the incision is made directly down the center of your vaginal lips. Although the linear trim method is fairly straightforward and can be quite effective, it can leave visible scarring in a straight line along the border of your vaginal lips. The Trim-V technique is superior to these other labiaplasty approaches, as it results in natural-looking final contours.

Including a Clitoral Hood Reduction

If your plastic surgeon has recommended that you also incorporate a clitoral hood reduction as part of your labiaplasty procedure, he or she may suggest the Trim-V to achieve this. An overly large clitoral hood could lead to problems achieving sexual satisfaction and may also contribute to an unbalanced overall appearance of your labia. When this is the case, a clitoral hood reduction is often an effective surgical solution.

Also known as a clitoral hoodectomy, a clitoral hood reduction can address aesthetic concerns as well as problems related to sexual function. If you desire a smoother, more symmetrical appearance or find it difficult to achieve an orgasm due to the size of your clitoral hood, adding a clitoral hoodectomy to your labiaplasty may be a good option for you.

An experienced plastic surgeon can include a clitoral hood reduction with either labia minora reduction or labia majora reduction. Using the Trim-V method of labiaplasty, a clitoral hood reduction can easily be incorporated into your labiaplasty so that both procedures can be performed at the same time. Conversely, when a labiaplasty is performed using a linear trim, the incision typically stops at the clitoral bulb. This can result in an awkward transition and an “unfinished” look, which is one reason why Dr. Harrington does not employ this technique.

How to Choose the Right Labiaplasty Technique

There are a number of surgical options to choose from when designing your labiaplasty procedure. In order to optimize your results, you’ll need to sit down with your plastic surgeon and discuss your individual needs and goals so that he or she can better determine which options would be the most suitable for your procedure.

For this reason, understanding a little bit about each labiaplasty surgical technique can help you to better prepare for your consultation and, ultimately, your procedure, but choosing the right plastic surgeon is still a key part of making sure you get the smooth, seamless results and recovery you want.

AdobeStockBy carefully choosing a reputable plastic surgeon with ample experience performing labiaplasties and other cosmetic gynecology procedures, you can rely on his or her experience and training to design a surgical plan that’s been custom-tailored to fit your needs.

For example, your plastic surgeon can help you decide whether labia majora reduction, labia minora reduction or a combination of both would be most the appropriate option for you, based on your unique anatomy and cosmetic and functional concerns. Your plastic surgeon can also help to guide your decision as to whether or not to include a clitoral hood reduction or mons pubis liposuction with your labiaplasty procedure, as well as recommend the most effective surgical technique for your labiaplasty.

Finding the Best Plastic Surgeon for Your Labiaplasty

Above all else, you should feel that you can rely on your plastic surgeon to make the right surgical decisions based on your individual needs so you can rest assured that you’ll love your final results.More so than deciding which surgical technique is the right one for your labiaplasty, choosing the right plastic surgeon is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make in order to achieve the beautiful results you’re looking for. To help you make a well-thought-out decision, look for qualifications like:

  • Board certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Extensive residency programs
  • Accreditations from reputable medical associations
  • Memberships with nationally-recognized medical associations
  • Experience performing labiaplasty procedures and other gynecological surgeries
  • Before and after photos of previous results
  • Positive reviews from previous clients

Once you’ve narrowed down your search to one or two different practices, go ahead and schedule an office visit to give you a chance to meet with each plastic surgeon before making your final decision. During your consultation, take note of your first impression of each practice. Ask yourself questions such as:

  • Is the office clean and well organized?
  • Was I greeted by a staff member when I walked in?
  • Were my questions thoroughly answered?
  • Was I able to establish a positive rapport with the plastic surgeon?
  • Did he or she take time to listen to my needs and goals?

mylabiaplastysurgeonThese types of questions will help you gauge whether or not a particular plastic surgeon is the best fit for you. Don’t be afraid to take a little extra time to do some online research, make a few phone calls and schedule an office visit or two. It’s so important that you feel comfortable openly discussing your needs and goals with your plastic surgeon so that you can get the smooth, beautiful results you want. 

The Bottom Line

Although your personal preferences can have a very large impact on which labiaplasty surgical technique your plastic surgeon recommends for you, trust that his or her professional opinion has your best interests in mind. After providing a detailed assessment of your unique anatomy and taking the time to listen to your concerns about the size or shape of your labia, your plastic surgeon will be able to help you choose the best surgical technique for your procedure.

If you’ve carefully chosen the right plastic surgeon for your needs, let him or her take the guesswork out of navigating all of your labiaplasty options, which can be overwhelming on your own. If, at any time, you have questions about why a particular technique or modification might be the best fit for you, don’t hesitate to ask questions.

mylabiaplastysurgeonUltimately, however, know that you’re in good hands with your highly-qualified board-certified plastic surgeon, and he or she will take great care to give you the best possible outcome so you can get back to feeling like yourself and getting the most out of life.

shutterstock

Before & After
Photos

Patient

Request Your Consultation

Rating

“ Amazing doctor, staff, clinic, and overall experience. She is a straight forward, to the point, knowledgeable doctor. ”

mylab Read Our Reviews