Labiaplasty is a reconstructive surgery that removes excess and/or uneven labial tissue from the labia minora (the vaginal lips).
Enlarged or elongated labia minora, known as labial hypertrophy, are the result of genetics, puberty or childbirth.
Sometimes enlarged labia cause discomfort during exercise or intercourse. They can be uncomfortable and/or visible when women wear tightly fitted clothing or bathing suits. Labiaplasty surgery resolves any issues with irritation, rubbing and visibility.
Labiaplasty is a simple procedure which also serves to improve the aesthetic quality of a woman’s vaginal region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before the Labiaplasty procedure, patients will be scheduled for a consultation.
At this time, Dr McHugh will take your detailed medical history, perform a brief physical exam, and discuss your aesthetic goals.
He will explain the Labiaplasty in full, and review the potential surgical risks. Finally, he will show before/after photos of recent patients, assisting with a visualisation of the potential results.
If the Labiaplasty is determined to be the right procedure to meet your aesthetic goals, a personalised surgical plan will be created and an estimate given to you with the costs of the procedure.
Labiaplasty surgery is performed in hospital under general anaesthetic.
The procedure takes approximately 1 hour, and patients go home on the same day as surgery.
The surgery begins with a very small incision along the labia minora, just inside of the skin folds (the vaginal ‘lips’) of the labia majora.
The excess skin is then trimmed to achieve the desired shape and size.
Once the Labiaplasty is complete, dissolvable stitches will be placed for proper healing.
There are two primary techniques that plastic surgeons use for labiaplasty: the trim technique and the wedge technique:
The Trim Technique
The trim technique is an approach whereby the excess tissue at the edges of the labia minora are trimmed to a more desirable shape and size. The trim technique is typically the most suitable technique for patients whose labias have uneven or discolored outer edges.
The Wedge Technique
The wedge technique involves removing a wedge-shaped section of tissue from the middle third of the labia and then stitching the top and bottom sections of the labia back together.
The trim technique is typically the most suitable technique for patients whose labias are asymmetrical or have an excess of tissue (and do not have issues along the labial edge).
Patients can expect the recovery after a Labiaplasty to take approximately one to two weeks. Moderate discomfort may be experienced; appropriated pain medication will be provided to keep patients comfortable during the healing process. Swelling, bruising, and redness are common. These will resolve over the first few weeks.
Most patients are feeling well enough to return to work one to two days after their Labiaplasty procedure.
A normal routine can be resumed in just a few days, although strenuous activates and exercise will need to be postponed for two to four weeks.
Sexual intercourse should wait for four to six weeks to allow for healing and a full restoration of sensation.
An immediate improvement in labia’s shape and size can be seen after surgery.
As the swelling diminishes, over the following two to three months, full benefits of the Labiaplasty results will become apparent.
The labia will be smaller and well defined. Tight clothing and exercise will once again be comfortable.
His dual specialisations enable him to deliver excellence in surgical results, with an eye for aesthetic beauty.
With over 20 years of experience as a surgeon in the private sector and performing international aid work as a Surgeon Commander with the Royal Australian Navy, you can have confidence that Dr McHugh is uniquely qualified and trusted to deliver the results you seek.
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