Eterna Cosmetic Surgery

4 Things to Know about Labiaplasty

Conveniently located to serve San Antonio, Eagle Pass and the surrounding area.

June 30, 2022

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that is steadily gaining favor with women. While diVa Laser Vaginal Therapy can be extremely valuable in tightening the vaginal canal and reversing post-menopausal symptoms such as dryness, burning and itching, painful intercourse, stress urinary incontinence and chronic urinary infections, it does not address physical changes in the vulva that can occur over time. But labiaplasty does.

Here are four things you should know about this surgery:

1. It’s about Discomfort

Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery, and it can certainly “improve” the appearance of the vulva if your goal to look firmer, smoother and more youthful. However, for most women, the driving concerns are comfort and health.

The vagina has two pairs of “lips,” or labia. If the inner lips (labia minora) are extended or sag, they can protrude beyond the outer lips (labia majora). Some women feel self-conscious about this, during intimate moments or when wearing swimwear or tight yoga pants where the labia may be visible. But protruding labia minora can make it more difficult to maintain personal hygiene, the deeper skin folds may invite infections, and the friction can be painfully uncomfortable when exercising, especially cycling or horseback riding.

Labiaplasty can help improve both cosmetic (size, shape, symmetry) and health concerns (discomfort from wearing tight clothing or during exercise, or sexual intercourse).

2. If You’re Concerned, You’re a Good Candidate

Labiaplasty is highly personal. Any woman who feels that the size or shape of their labia affects their self-confidence or interferes in their daily activities is a good candidate for this procedure.  

3. Labiaplasty Is a “Simple” Surgery

The procedure is straightforward and generally takes only about an hour. Naturally, you want to choose a cosmetic surgeon who is knowledgeable and experienced, and we have just the surgeon you need here at Eterna Cosmetic Surgery – Dr. Elizabeth Hernandez. As a woman, she is easy to talk with about your most intimate concerns, and as a surgeon she is both talented and dedicated to giving each patient an individually-tailored experience.

Dr. Hernandez performs labiaplasty as an outpatient procedure, using local anesthetic coupled with an oral sedative to help you relax. You may also opt to use Pro-Nox, a breathable calming medication you can control yourself.

To perform the surgery, she will trim away excess tissue then suture the remaining skin so that, when healed, the lips of the labia minora will stay tucked inside the labia majora.  

4. Recovery Varies from Patient to Patient

You will have some swelling initially, as well as some minor bleeding. We will send you home with care and exercise instructions to promote comfort and healing. You can take pain medication for the first few days, and you will want to wear loose-fitting underwear or pants. Wearing a mini-pad will help capture any minor bleeding.

Most of our patients return to their normal routine within 1 to 2 weeks, but we do recommend you avoid exercising or sexual intercourse for 6 weeks to ensure you are fully healed.

As swelling resolves and incisions heal, most women begin to see results which continue to improve over the next weeks and months. Surgical results are permanent, not negatively affected by childbearing or menopause.

Learn More about Labiaplasty

A personal consultation with Dr. Hernandez is the ideal opportunity to discuss your specific concerns and desired changes. Dr. Hernandez will examine your vulva to determine if you’re a good candidate for labiaplasty and, if so, you can make a plan to smooth your appearance and relieve vaginal discomfort.

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