How Common Is Labiaplasty? Labiaplasty operations are gaining more and more popularity every year as more and more women of almost every age undergo this operation for different reasons. Advances in medicine which reduces the costs of different surgeries and the level of risk those surgeries carry, people’s increasing aesthetic concerns and ever-increasing awareness of genital health among women are the 3 most important and common reasons why labiaplasty is getting more and more common.
The 2016 ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons) report reveals that more people underwent labiaplasty in 2016, in America than ever. This 2016 ASPS report also includes statistics about labiaplasty and it suggests that the number of people who had labiaplasty increased by 12,000 (%36 increase) compared to the previous year. Anyone over the age of 18 with their inner lips (labia minora) hanging outside of their outer lips (labia majora) can have this surgery. Pregnancy and virginity do not hinder a woman from having labiaplasty.
What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is a simple and minor medical operation done in order to reshape or to reduce the size of the inner lips (labia minora) or the outer lips (labia majora) of the labia. Labiaplasty is a medical operation that does not carry a high level of failure risk. Indeed, Thanks to the developments in medicine in recent years, it has become a simple operation that does not bear a high-level risk. With easier access to labiaplasty surgery and lower risk rates, labiaplasty operation has become much more common recently.
There are a few different reasons why people decide to undergo this operation varying from health concerns to aesthetic concerns. Some of the most common reasons why people undergo Labiaplasty operation are getting their malfunctioning labia -which causes them health problems-restored or getting their inner labia or the outer labia cut thus getting their labia reduced in size. Reducing the size of the labia is sometimes crucial for a patient as having a labia longer or wider than it is supposed to be may cause serious health problems in long term and would certainly need professional help from a gynecologist.
People who undergo labiaplasty for health concerns are generally older than the ones who undergo this operation for aesthetical concerns. Younger women tend to pay attention to their bodies- sometimes to a degree where it is called an obsession- and how their bodies look like much more than women who are relatively older. Their genital area herewith labiaplasty is no exception. As in all other surgeries, it is very important to apply to a good and reliable surgeon for labiaplasty. Consulting more than one doctor before having labiaplasty surgery will be better for your health.
What is Labia?
“Labia” is the name given to the lips that cover the outermost part of the female genital area. The labia is divided into two parts known as “the inner” and “the outer labia”. The inner part of the labia is called the minor labia, and the outer part is called “major labia”. Labia as a whole (both labia minora and labia majora) predominantly function as structures that protect the vagina and female genital area against unwanted substances that may damage the vagina. However, in some cases these structures who are supposed to protect the entrance of the vagina thus the health of the female, may cause damage and impairment on the vagina.
Why Labiaplasty is applied?
Overgrowth seen in the inner lips of the labia may cause infections, irritations, pain during sexual intercourse, or when the person performs simple, everyday movements thus causing the person discomfort and health issues that can be dangerous in long term. In that case, the person is supposed to go see a gynecologist and seek professional consultation and help in order to prevent these ailments. After puberty, each side of inner labia (labia minora) of some female may not be of equal length. While one side is shorter, the other side can be longer and this can create an aesthetically bad appearance. In this case, women with a vagina that does not look aesthetic may feel inadequate, lose their self-confidence and isolate themselves from sexual life.
How Painful is labiaplasty?
In labiaplasty, as in many other surgeries, the patient is anaesthetized so that the patient does not feel pain during the operation. There are two different types of anesthesia: one is general anesthesia and the other one is local anesthesia. The patient under general anesthesia is completely unconscious and does not feel any part of her body during the operation and is asleep. However, in local anesthesia, only the part of the patient to be operated on is numbed. The patient is conscious, she may move her upper body and even engage in something else, such as texting on the phone. The patient does not feel pain during the labiaplasty operation in either of the two anesthesia situations mentioned above. Postoperative drugs and painkillers which are given to the patient after the surgery prevent the patient from feeling to a certain extend.
Recovery from Labiaplasty Surgery
Recovering from labiaplasty usually takes 1 or 2 weeks. However, this recovery process might differ from person to person. The patient is usually expected to experience itching and swelling in the vagina after labiaplasty and the person should not be scared to experience these effects. The ice compression procedure, which is generally recommended by the doctor, will reduce post-operative bleeding, swelling, and itching.
However, excessive itching and swelling might indicate that there is something wrong with your recovery process and, the patient must consult her doctor as soon as possible. For the first week of the recovery, the patient should try to refrain from physical activities as much as possible and should rest for a week. One of the most important points to be aware of while healing after labiaplasty is to avoid sexual intercourse for 6 to 8 weeks. Getting into sexual intercourse before recovering from labiaplasty completely, might endanger your health and may damage the unhealed, operated tissue of your vagina seriously.
What is Labiaplasty?
Labiaplasty is like a special operation that can change some private parts of the body. It’s a bit like making a toy more comfy or unique.
How Common Is Labiaplasty?
This is not something that lots of people do, just like some games are more popular than others. Some people might choose it for their own reasons, but most people feel happy and confident with their bodies just the way they are.
Your Special Body
Always remember, your body is super special and unique, just like you! It’s essential to love and take care of yourself all the time.
Talking to Someone You Trust
If you have questions about this or anything else, talking to someone you trust, like your parents or a caring teacher, is a great idea. They can help you understand more and answer your questions.
Conclusion
This is a special operation, but not everyone chooses to do it. Your body is amazing just the way it is, and it’s essential to love yourself. If you have questions, talking to someone you trust can be helpful. Always remember, you are special and unique, and that’s a wonderful thing!