Labiaplasty


LABIAPLASTY AT DR. ANDREWS PLASTIC SURGERY

The physical appearance of the female anatomy varies from woman to woman. Some women have smaller breasts, some women have larger breasts. It is not uncommon for those who are unsatisfied with their physique to seek a plastic surgeons’ opinion and ultimately surgery. In these instances, a breast augmentation, a breast reduction or breast lift. The same applies to women who are unsatisfied with the appearance of their labia.

The labia or “lips” is the tissue that is external to the vagina, and is comprised of the inner lips, or the labia minora, and the outer lips, or the labia majora. The labia minora can sometimes extend beyond the boundaries of the labia majora, and cause problems such as chafing in clothes, chafing with exercise or even walking, discomfort or pain with sexual activity. It also contributes to an undesirable appearance in clothing, such as the ever-popular yoga pant.

Not only does a labiaplasty address the physical appearance, it also promotes improved functional aspects as well. Women seek more confidence while wearing clothing and want relief from chafing, and to not have pain or discomfort with intercourse. Some women live with chronic urinary tract infections or have difficulty with maintaining hygiene, and these circumstances can be drastically improved with a labiaplasty. Dr. Andrews and his team are dedicated to promoting confidence, self-esteem, and quality of life for all patients who are distressed by this condition.


MEET COURTNEY ALBRITTON, PA-C

labiaplasty direct excision
Courtney Albritton is our Physicians Assistant and is now trained to perform the Labiaplasty procedure. Her expertise and approach to patient care is unmatched, and she’s the only woman in Iowa to offer Labiaplasty.


HOW IS A LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE DONE?

labiaplasty direct excisionA labiaplasty is a simple procedure which can be done in the office under local anesthesia, and it can shorten the length or change the shape of the labia minora. A labiaplasty procedure can also address the size of an enlarged labia majora, which can also cause distress for women due to the appearance in clothes, discomfort with exercise or sexual activity. This procedure is unlike other plastic surgery in that women can expect to see their results almost immediately. The labiaplasty recovery timeline is fairly quick. Women can return to work after 2-3 days. The ideal candidate for this procedure will have an understanding to follow simple after care guidelines, such as no tampon use or sexual intercourse for 6 weeks. Women may return to their normal exercise routine in 2-3 weeks. Follow up care includes a follow up clinic check at 2 weeks and 2 months. The labiaplasty stitches are absorbable, so there is no need to have them removed at a later date.

There are varying approaches for a labiaplasty, the most common being an edge trim or a wedge technique. Dr. Andrews will customize the procedure to your anatomy and desired outcome. The edge trim technique is a technically easier procedure in which the edges of the labia are trimmed and sewn in a linear fashion. This produces a reduced pigmentation along the edge of the labia minora and has a similar recovery to that of the wedge technique. This technique is best for a woman who has minimal hypertrophy, or enlargement, of the labia minora.

labiaplasty central wedge excisionThe wedge technique improves an elongated or enlarged labia minora and can also address clitoral hood excess. The excess tissue is gently removed, and a very thin scar is placed in the groove between the labia minora and majora.

For patients who have an enlarged labia majora, a reduction labiaplasty can be performed as well. This removes the excess skin and tissue through an elliptical incision, and the scar is also hidden in the groove between the labia. Some patients may also benefit from adjunctive procedures to address a bulky labia majora, such as a monsplasty. A monsplasty can also be performed under local anesthesia or with sedation in Dr. Andrews’ AAAASF-Certified surgical suite.

NO WOMAN IS THE SAME—WE OFFER CUSTOMIZED LABIAPLASTY RESULTS

Alternatively, some women may seek rejuvenation of their labia majora because of atrophy or deflation of the outer lips which may occur with age or weight loss. This can be achieved with a simple in office procedure using fat grafting. Excess fat can be simply removed from another area on the body, such as the abdomen, and strategically placed in the labia majora to produce a more youthful appearance. This can also help patients who experience discomfort with sexual activity or wearing certain clothing or bathing suits. Another non-invasive treatment offered at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery is Thermi-Va. Thermi-Va, a form of vaginal rejuvenation, uses radiofrequency to tighten the outer labia and can also improve the tightness of the inner vaginal canal, which enhances sexual confidence and well-being. Thermi-Va has no downtime, is similar to a warm massage, and is not painful. You may have this done in an hour and return to all activities immediately.

WHO REQUESTS A LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE?

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, over 10,000 labiaplasties were performed in 2017. This number is on the rise, with a 217.3% increase in the last 5 years. Women aged 19-50 consist of about 84% of the women who have the procedure. This tells us that the problems of enlarged labia affect women of all ages, but it doesn’t have to.

HOW DO I KNOW I’M A GOOD CANDIDATE?

You are a good candidate for a labiaplasty if you are in good health and motivated to follow the recovery guidelines, which includes no exercise for 2-3 weeks, no tampon use or sexual intercourse for 6 weeks. Patients should also be out of puberty, as there are many changes going on in a woman’s body at that time.

HOW DO I GET A CONSULT OR MORE INFORMATION?

You may call our office at 319-800-6877 to speak with one of our experienced staff members about this procedure and your goals. We will set you up with a consult with Dr. Andrews or our physician assistant, Courtney Albritton, PA-C, who has over a decade of Ob-Gyn experience and is also the in-house expert on Thermi-Va. We want you to feel confident and safe knowing you are in the most qualified hands for an issue that can be embarrassing to discuss. Dr. Andrews is a board-certified plastic surgeon who is trained in the art and science of labiaplasty and is able to answer your questions expertly and completely.



WHERE IS THE LABIAPLASTY PROCEDURE PERFORMED?

A labiaplasty can be done in our office procedure room under local anesthesia or even in our AAAASF-certified surgical suite, if you desire sedation or general anesthesia—the choice is yours! The procedure in the office will take about an hour and you may drive yourself home. If you have sedation you will need to arrive about an hour before the procedure and go to recovery for about an hour, then need to have someone take you home. You may return to work in 1-2 days, depending on the type of work you do. Some patients benefit from using cool compresses to help with swelling, or warm sitz baths daily, to help with discomfort.

We are happy to answer your questions about labiaplasty and offer you the expertise you deserve. Please call us at 319-800-6877 or email us at drandrews@drandrewsplasticsurgery.com to schedule a consult.

Click the button to the right to view more before and afters.

Before & Afters

January 11, 2017

Dear Dr. Andrews,
Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*
5.0
2017-01-11T13:02:59-06:00
Dear Dr. Andrews, Thank you so much for all you’ve done for me and my family. You are trustworthy, kind and personable. We really appreciate you and your talent. Thank you!*

Everything is great!!

Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*
5.0
2017-01-22T15:30:46-06:00
Just had my surgery from Dr. Andrews and everything is great!! He is the most kindest Dr. ever!*

You change peoples’ lives!

You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*
5.0
2017-02-24T14:28:06-06:00
You change peoples’ lives! Words cannot express how much I love my new girls! Thank you so much for giving me exactly what I wanted. You are amazing!*

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews!

I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*
5.0
2016-09-28T15:22:01-05:00
I am a patient at Dr. Andrews! I highly recommend utilizing their services. Very thorough consultations, educational and informative. They give you lots of options to fit your needs and guide you through it. Amazing staff that is highly trained with the most up to date procedures and tools. I can't say enough about Dr. Andrews and his amazing staff!*

June 26th, 2013

Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*
2015-02-10T19:25:22-06:00
Dr. Andrews is an artist. His academic credentials are second to none. You can see that sensibility in every aspect of his practice, and his life. His outcomes are exceptional, and there isn’t a surgeon anywhere that I trust more.*

May 27th, 2013

I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*
2015-02-10T19:25:46-06:00
I am beyond happy with my results. I had extra skin hanging from my abdomen after gaining weight from pregnancies. Dr. Andrews was compassionate and understanding about how this affected me and my self-esteem.*

May 27th, 2013

I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*
2015-02-10T19:26:11-06:00
I can now wear bikinis! I continue to work out and can finally see the results of my hard work. Thank you Dr. Andrews – a California gem in the midwest!*

June 1st, 2013

Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*
2015-02-10T19:26:35-06:00
Dr. Andrews is one of the best plastic surgeons I’ve worked with! His patients are very pleased with their results. I highly recommend him!*

Jan 24th, 2013

Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*
2015-02-10T19:26:55-06:00
Dr Andrews was wonderful!! Great Guy… awesome job on my reconstruction!!*

Nov 2nd, 2012

I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*
2015-02-10T19:27:28-06:00
I had suffered debilitating Hidradenitis. He gave me the ability to have a normal life again. My scars look amazing and he was able to close with the most beautiful lines! He was such a caring doctor who is so gifted. I hope to follow his practice wherever he may go!*

Oct 29th, 2012

Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*
2015-02-10T19:27:54-06:00
Dr. Andrews was the absolute best doctor for me - very informative, sensitive, and caring with just the right amount of humor during the appointments.*

Extraordinary doctor

Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*
2015-03-30T12:00:04-05:00
Before saying that you are an extraordinary doctor, I want to tell you that you are an extraordinary human being. Thanks for showing me so much care and concern.*

You Rock!!

I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*
2015-03-30T12:00:42-05:00
I wanted to write you a thank you letter because I would never be able to find the words to say how much I appreciate everything you did for me. Thanks to you I can feel normal and not always worry if people will find out about my problem. I can’t even begin to say thank you enough or to show my gratitude. You’re an amazing person, wonderful doctor, and my hero. All in all, you ROCK!!!*

You all are the best!

Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*
2015-03-30T12:02:02-05:00
Thank you so much for ALL of your help in my recovery thru “sometimes emotional” journey with my cancer. You all were always professional and took the time with my long list of questions. I can n0t thank you enough! Easter is my favorite time of the year and I pray God will continue to strengthen your gift and skills in healing because you all are the best!*

Amazing!

I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*
2015-03-30T12:02:20-05:00
I’m ecstatic with my new body. It is PERFECT! I can’t even put in wordshow we feel, You are so compassionate unlike any Doctor I’ve met. I realize I’ve been a needy patient and you handled me well. You’ve gone above and beyond with me after hours for medications and issues. Also more quotes than necessary, but you did it! Your work ad attentiveness to my expectations I can’t say enough!! Now to pu the finale pictures in your gallery to show how complete I am now! You are AMAZING! Thank You! It’s been a very long, hard journey! Now to live life with the new ME!*

With appreciation

With appreciation for putting me back together!*
2015-03-30T12:02:40-05:00
With appreciation for putting me back together!*

I am forever grateful

I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*
2015-03-30T12:03:02-05:00
I consider myself blessed to be under your care as I navigated the stormy sea of breast cancer diagnosis, surgery, reconstruction, and recovery. I cannot thank you enough and am so pleased with the results! You have all been wonderful, and I will miss seeing you even though I am thrilled to be healed and moving on! The impact you have on patients who are scared and overwhelmed cannot be overstated...and I am forever grateful.*

Thank You

Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*
2015-03-30T12:03:24-05:00
Thank you. For me, you are as similar as God because you created me again. It’s an amazing feeling. I feel my earlier life back again. Once again thank you very much from the bottom of my heart.*

April 12, 2016

Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
2016-05-05T11:40:35-05:00
Since my hysterectomy, sex has been extremely painful. I suffered from extreme dryness and discomfort. I had no sex drive and was no longer able to experience an orgasm. Until, recently, when a friend told me about Courtney Albritton and the ThermiVa treatment. I have had 2 of the 3 treatments and immediately experienced positive results. I am still in awe of the results I have experienced. The procedure was painless. Until ThermiVa, I had come to the realization that my sex life would no longer be what it once was pre-hysterectomy. I highly recommend this procedure.*
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