Women who feel their labia majora are too large, or hang down, may experience discomfort from activities such as cycling – or they may be embarrassed by the full appearance. At the Zelken Institute, we respect every woman’s decision to pursue vaginal cosmetic surgery.
Labia majoraplasty can address discomfort and aesthetic concerns associated with disproportionately large outer folds of the vulva.
A labia majoraplasty is a procedure designed to surgically reduce the size of the outer, hair-bearing labia majora. Another form is laser majoraplasty, which is a nonsurgical laser procedure to add fullness to the labia majora
For large labia majora, Dr. Zelken removes two slight crescents of skin from the inner portion of each labium. The amount to be removed depends on the amount of excess tissue. In some cases, when there is atrophy of fatty tissue, a small amount of fat can be transferred from another area of the body after liposuction to the majora. Alternatively, Zelken Institute uses CO2 laser to “plump” the area. Closure is usually done with absorbable sutures.
This procedure typically results in smaller, tighter labia majora. In patients with excess skin, drooping of the labia majora when the patient is standing is usually improved. In patients with excess volume, this procedure can result in a lower profile.
Dr. Zelken is an insanely talented surgeon with the best bedside manner I have ever seen any doctor have.
Risks include bleeding, hematoma, infection, scarring, underresection, overresection.
This procedure can be done under local anesthesia with oral sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed. If oral sedation is favored, you will need to arrange for a ride home.
Most patients take a week off from work, during which they can reduce swelling and pain by icing with a cold pack sandwiched between the patient's underpants and an elastic garment, like Spanx. This can be done "twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off." The patient can also lie with her bottom elevated to reduce swelling.
Patients can resume wearing tampons or having intercourse after four to six weeks.
Swelling after a labia majoraplasty can last 6 months or longer, depending on the thickness of the tissue, although much of the swelling is gone by 6 weeks.
Written by Dr. Jonathan Zelken
Get Started Schedule A Consultation
