How Soon Can I have Sex After Labiaplasty?
Many women are unhappy with the appearance of their labia or feel some discomfort during sex because of them—the appearance of the labia can change after childbirth or inflammation and with time. Like any soft tissue, it loses elasticity and becomes laxer and looser. The unsightly appearance of the labia can also be genetically inherited.
Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of the labia without affecting their function. The surgical procedure creates symmetry and reduces or harmonizes the labial region. Labiaplasty does not affect the ordinary course of sexual intercourse or future pregnancy.
After the surgery, the patient gets rid of the psychological discomfort she had before, gains more self-confidence, and has an improved body image.
Why Do Women Choose to Have Labiaplasty?
After childbirth or with the natural aging process, women can face the changing aesthetics of their labia, which can create discomfort.
Specifically, they might not feel comfortable wearing tight clothing in the intimate area (swimwear, underwear, tights, etc.) because the labia are too prominent, and their contour or shape is visible.
They also feel too self-aware when it comes to sexual activity because of the appearance of their labia; some even feel discomfort during sex. Moreover, some women are even bothered during prolonged sitting.
What Is the Normal Size Of The Labia?
There is no normal size, but women are satisfied when their labia minora do not protrude beyond their large, outer labia.
In principle, one should not necessarily take any standards in this respect, and it should be borne in mind that it is natural for a woman to have visible skin folds around the vaginal opening.
By shrinking the excess labia tissue/folds so that the inner labia no longer protrude beyond the outer labia, the result is a more youthful appearance that substantially boosts confidence in one's femininity.
When Can I Have Sex After Labiaplasty?
To resume sexual activities, you must consult your surgeon to review your labiaplasty surgery. These activities can generally be resumed four weeks after the labia reduction surgery.
For those wondering when you can return to sports, the recommended time to start sports is after four weeks. It would be best to begin with light exercise and then practice different activities to see how you feel.
After the labiaplasty and full recovery stage, you will see that you will feel completely different. Your self-confidence will be restored, and the discomfort you felt before will disappear.
Risks and Complications of Sex before Healing after the Surgery
Most women are eager to return to their pre-surgery lifestyle as soon as possible. Sex is an important activity that patients want to resume; however, this should be postponed as much as possible during recovery and healing.
The labia are very important in sexual intercourse. Labiaplasty entails incisions in the vaginal area, and sexual activity can affect wound healing and cause the sutures to open. Eventually, infection of the surgical area may occur.
For these reasons, doctors recommend that newly operated patients take a break from all sexual activity to allow the body to recover for a minimum of four weeks.
Tips for a Faster Healing Process
After Labiaplasty, the patient must follow the doctor's instructions. In just a few words, this means lots of rest and avoiding physical effort. Nutrition and hydration are an important part of recovery in the first days after surgery.
Make sure you follow the post-operative recommendations:
Smokers are at increased risk of complications. It is recommended to stop smoking to avoid them or at least not to smoke in the first ten days after surgery
It is also highly recommended not to drink alcohol when taking pills. Alcohol may increase post-surgery bleeding because it dilates the blood vessels
Avoid sexual intercourse or tampons for four weeks
Avoid saddles of any kind (horses or bicycles) for eight weeks
Take a week off work and engage only in light activity for the first two weeks
Avoid strenuous physical activity and sports for at least four weeks after surgery
Wear underwear and clothes made of quality, loose-fitting material; change your underwear daily for the first ten days
Showering is allowed 24 hours after surgery but avoid baths for four weeks afterward
Apply antibiotic ointment and use period pads following the procedure for about a week or until the no longer oozing from the incisions
To reduce swelling of the area: sit in a "puppy dog position" (on your elbows and knees) for 10 minutes, five times a day, and apply ice cold packs
Sit or sleep in any comfortable position
After Labiaplasty, the patient may have a period of discomfort, numbness, and local pain and need to wear some dressings
There are also extreme situations where complications may be more severe, as in any surgical procedure. Possible complications could be, for example, permanent change in the color of the labia, nerve damage, unpleasant scars, various infections, decreased sensation in the area, and asymmetry.
It is, therefore, essential to communicate with and inform your doctor about any abnormal bleeding, severe pain, or alarming symptoms after labiaplasty surgery.
Will There Be Any Scars after Labiaplasty?
It may take a few weeks before you feel the same as before. Scars may look unsightly during the first 1 to 2 months until they heal completely, but this is normal. The scars may take nine months to a year to look like the surrounding skin.
If you are realistic in your expectations and prepared for a period of post-operative recovery, Labiaplasty is the answer to your problem.
3 Facts About Labiaplasty Surgery
Labiaplasty is the cosmetic surgery with the highest growth rate. The aesthetics of the intimate area is out of taboo zone, and more and more women want to correct the look of this area. Studies show that although it is considered a "minor" problem, it can affect self-confidence, especially in intimate and sex life.
Labiaplasty is one of the most searched procedures on Google, so it's further proof that more and more women are concerned about solving this problem.
Labiaplasty is usually done with a local anesthetic and the recovery is quick
Labiaplasty is a genital cosmetic surgery that, although it requires a certain surgical "finesse" and a special technique, is NOT considered a complicated procedure for the patient.
It lasts 30-90 min, does not require days of hospitalization (the patient goes home that day), and recovery is short (1-2 weeks).
Women of different ages can get Labiaplasty
Some aesthetic issues of the labia, which may be too large, too swollen, asymmetrical, elongated, etc., may occur for several reasons:
simply constitutional, so also in young women,
or they can appear after childbirth, hormonal treatments,
or with advancing age, when the genital area/labia acquire a flaccid appearance ("droopy" labia).
Labiaplasty is, therefore, a personalized surgery aimed at women of all ages who are bothered and affected by the size and shape of their labia.
Final Words
You can enjoy medical services at the highest level at the Yates Institute of Plastic Surgery. We have all the patience, experience, medical staff, and know-how and we are at your service for any questions.
Dr. Sanam Zahedi and her staff are here to restore your confidence. Book now a consultation with Dr. Sanam Zahedi from Yates Institute of Plastic Surgery, Fort Lauderdale, and learn more about the labiaplasty surgical procedure.