Labia reduction is a very sensitive and personal subject and many women often do not dare to talk about it or make a consultation appointment for a long time, which is why they often carry the problem with them for many years.
The size and shape of the labia minora varies from woman to woman. Many women find it unaesthetic when the labia minora are enlarged or flaccid and not covered by the labia majora. In addition to the aesthetic component and restrictions in intimacy, large labia can also lead to pain and discomfort in everyday life, during sports such as horseback riding or cycling, or when wearing tight pants.
Labia reduction, also called labiaplasty, can eliminate the discomfort and the feeling of shame that often exists and lead to a significant improvement in the quality of life.
In a trusting atmosphere and in a woman-to-woman conversation, Dr. Lüdi will address your concerns and advise you in detail on the subject of labia reduction.
Consultation regarding labia minora reduction
As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Lüdi specializes in intimate surgery and has experience in labia reduction. In an initial detailed consultation in a calm and trusting atmosphere, Dr. Lüdi will take the time to address your concerns, analyze the findings together with you and advise you on treatment options. Furthermore, Dr. Lüdi will explain the surgical technique and the exact incision of a labia reduction with the help of pictures and drawings and discuss the aftercare as well as possible risks and complications with you. It is very important to us that you are well informed about the procedure, that all open questions are answered and that your wishes are taken into account.
On the day of surgery for labiaplasty
Our team of women will welcome you in a pleasant, discreet and quiet atmosphere in our clinic. Approximately 20 minutes before the operation, an anesthetic cream will be applied to the labia region, so that afterwards the fine punctures for the local anesthetic will no longer be felt as painful. You will then be prepared for the upcoming operation and accompanied to the operating room.
The operation - how does a labia operation proceed?
Labia reduction plastic surgery (labia minora surgery) is performed in our clinic's own operating room in Basel on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia (if desired, also under twilight sleep or general anesthesia). After precise marking of the excess tissue, the excess skin is removed and the remaining tissue is symmetrically tightened. The edges of the wound are precisely sutured together with fine, self-dissolving sutures so that the scars are very fine and hardly visible after healing. In certain cases, a tightening of the clitoral mantle can also be performed in the same operation for an aesthetic result.
Immediately after surgery
After the operation, you will rest in our beautiful patient room with a view of the Rhine and the pubic region will be cooled. Already about an hour later you can go home and be picked up by a trusted person if necessary.
The aftercare after labiaplasty
- Take it easy for the first 3 to 4 days.
- To reduce swelling, we recommend regular cooling of the pubic region during the first days.
- Showering is allowed from the first postoperative day.
- A disinfectant spray should be applied to the labia after each visit to the toilet.
- A bandage is not necessary. We recommend that you put a sanitary napkin in your underwear for the first few days after surgery.
- The sutures used are self-dissolving, so no suture removal is necessary.
- For a problem-free healing process, you should observe physical rest during the first 4 to 6 weeks after the operation and avoid friction in the intimate area, sports, sexual intercourse as well as sauna and bath visits.
Labia reduction - risks and complications
Adverse events and complications are very rare after labia reduction. Temporary swelling of the pubic region is to be expected in the first days after the operation. In isolated, rare cases, secondary bleeding, wound healing problems or infection may occur.
Labia reduction costs
The costs for a labia reduction in Basel depend on your wishes, the type and extent of the operation and the type of anesthesia. During a consultation, Dr. Lüdi will put together a treatment tailored to you personally and provide you with an individual cost estimate.
As a rule, the health insurance does not cover the costs of reducing the labia, as the procedure is mainly considered aesthetic. In rare, extreme cases, the health insurance company may cover part of the costs of the operation after a prior request for cost approval.
Frequently asked questions
If large labia minora are aesthetically disturbing or cause discomfort such as pain or even sores due to the constant friction, labiaplasty can be useful and lead to a positive attitude towards life as well as an improved quality of life.
We ask you to remove all hair from the intimate area before the procedure. On the day of the surgery, wear comfortable clothes that are not too tight. You can take your favorite music with you and listen to it during the procedure.
The pain that occurs after a procedure of this type is well tolerable and can be controlled with common painkillers. You will receive an appropriate prescription from us.
The sutures used are self-dissolving, so no suture removal is necessary.
During labia reduction, the incision is made so that they are usually not visible after healing.
The first control usually takes place 7 to 10 days after surgery. Further controls take place 6 weeks and 3 months after the operation. Then the treatment can usually be completed.
After the labia have been reduced, the healing process is usually relatively quick. During the first 1 to 2 weeks, swelling of the labia is to be expected, but this gradually decreases. After 10-14 days the wounds are healed after a labia reduction. The sutures used are self-dissolving and do not need to be removed.
For an optimal healing process, we recommend physical rest for 3 to 4 days. Afterwards, work can be resumed (depending on the physical strain).
For a problem-free healing process, you should observe physical rest for the first 4 to 6 weeks after the operation and therefore avoid sports and friction in the intimate area.
After 4 weeks, you can slowly start doing sports again. Sports such as cycling, horseback riding and swimming should only be resumed after 6 weeks.
For a problem-free and stable healing of the scars, we recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse for 6 weeks after the operation. After that, the scars are healed enough stable so that there are no more restrictions.
No, the incision is chosen so that the erogenous zones remain untouched. After complete healing, i.e. after about 4 months, everything usually feels normal again.
After 6 weeks, the wounds have healed so well that surgical correction is not immediately apparent. After healing is complete, the scars are so fine and practically invisible that you have to look for them to see them.
As a rule, most health insurance companies do not cover the costs of labia reduction, as the procedure is mainly considered aesthetic. In rare, extreme cases, the health insurance company may cover part of the operation costs after a prior request for a cost approval.
The price for a labia reduction depends on the individual wishes, effort and type of anesthesia. We will provide you with a personal quote during an initial consultation.
Read also our Journal article "Intimate surgery from woman to woman".
Simona Lüdi, MD, will be happy to welcome you for a personal consultation for labia reduction at our clinic in Basel. We look forward to seeing you.