Everything you need to know about labiaplasty, and the Manchester Private Hospital approach

Here’s everything you need to know about the occasionally misunderstood procedure.

The ideal candidate for labiaplasty

Anyone who has complaints about one or more areas of their labia, including discomfort, impairments or general aesthetic complaints.

Dissatisfaction with the labia can manifest in a number of ways. The lips of the vagina are naturally an array of different shapes and sizes, but lifestyle, aging, hormones and childbirth can affect the appearance of the labia. Excess skin, hanging lips or sagging can be causes of discomfort and low self-esteem.

Labiaplasty surgery typically targets two areas of the vagina; inner and outer lips, also known as labia minora – the two small inner folds and labia majora – outer folds running from above the clitoris to the perineum.

The benefits of labiaplasty

The two major complaints that lead patients to choose labiaplasty are when the inner lips can hang lower than the outer lips, alternatively, some women have asymmetric labia minora / majora, whereby one side hangs lower than the other. Both can be corrected with labiaplasty.

Self-consciousness around the appearance of the labia can cause women to suffer from low self-esteem, which in turn may affect other parts of their life. Opting for a labiaplasty can help some women regain sexual confidence, or improve their overall body confidence.

Advantages of labiaplasty can include a reduced labia minora, a reduced labia majora, or a more symmetrical looking labia.

The surgery

Labiaplasty is performed under either general anesthetic or local anesthetic and sedation. Generally the labiaplasty surgery takes between one to two hours to perform.

The results of your labiaplasty

We understand that cosmetic surgery around the genitals is extremely personal. That’s why we tailor the surgery around exactly what you want to achieve. The results of the surgery will be apparent immediately, though there will be swelling and bruising that will subside after a couple of weeks.

Labiaplasy has a high satisfaction rate, with a very high proportion of patients getting the results they wanted, and experiencing an increased sense of self-esteem as a result.

After the procedure

Your recovery plan will vary depending on your lifestyle. In your consultation, your surgeon will help create a recovery plan that’s tailored to you.

You will need to take between two and five days off work, depending on the type of work you do. It is important to have as much rest as you can for a fortnight after your surgery. Exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 10-14 days, and side-effects should start to subside after four weeks. With recovery, it is important to listen to the body, and resume activities only when you personally feel you are up to it.

You will attend an aftercare appointment around two weeks after the surgery to check on the healing process and answer any ongoing questions you may have about recover.

Cost and finance

Labiaplasy vary in cost, depending on desired outcome. In the UK, a labiaplasty is expected to cost anywhere between £2,000 and £4,000.

Side-effects and complications

Like any surgery, labiaplasty comes with a set of possible complications. A medical professional will talk you through the risks before you opt for any procedure.

Common side effects include:

– Swelling
– Bruising
– Discomfort or pain.

Rare complications include:

– Bleeding
– Infection
– Heavy scarring
– Desensitised genitals
– Blood clots.

Labiaplasty at MPH

Consultations at Manchester Private Hospital are thorough and professional. We’ll undertake a full medical assessment based on your age, body type and medical history. We’ll take into consideration your desired goals, and give an honest and upfront opinion on whether the procedure is best for you, or if an alternative surgery might provide the desired results. Crucially, Manchester Private Hospital is a pressure-free environment, meaning you’ll be informed and in control at every stage.

The team at Manchester Private Hospital will make sure your experience is comfortable and safe. Our surgeons have decades of combined experience in cosmetic surgery, and our patient-centred approach means procedures are designed around you and your goals. Our facility is designed for a comfortable recovery, and our team is focussed on allowing you to recover fully in the comfort of your own home.