Changes to the genital area can occur over time due to a number of factors, like menopause and the natural aging process. While it is quite normal for women to experience stretched tissues, excess skin in the external genitals can cause significant discomfort during exercise, in certain clothing, and during sexual intercourse. Fortunately, all of the symptoms caused by excess labial tissue can be corrected with labiaplasty, a procedure that about 14,000 women undergo every year.

As a board certified plastic surgeon in Houston, Dr. Bob Basu offers this procedure under IV sedation and local anesthesia to keep you comfortable and ease your recovery process. Here is what you need to know about labiaplasty in Houston.

What is labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of stretched labia minora (internal labia). This procedure typically shortens the labia minora to sit even with or just inside the labia majora (outer labia), and creates symmetry. For some women, removal of darker pigmentation at the edge of the labia is also addressed during labiaplasty.

Each labiaplasty procedure is tailored to the individual patient’s anatomy and goals.

What are the benefits of labiaplasty?

For those who are a good candidate for the procedure, labiaplasty offers a number of functional and aesthetic benefits:

• Addresses tissues that were stretched due to pregnancy, aging, or other factors
• Reduces uncomfortable friction or pulling, which can be a source of skin irritation
• Improves comfort when wearing swimsuits and form-fitting clothes
• Helps with comfort during exercise, cycling, or other activity
• Increases self-confidence during intimacy
• Alleviates pain or discomfort during intercourse

Who is a good candidate for labiaplasty?

Many labiaplasty patients have labia minora that fall below the labia majora when they are standing, posing discomfort and/or an aesthetic concern. In general, you may be a good candidate for labiaplasty if you have sagging or stretched labia minora, desire a reduction of their size, and do not plan to become pregnant again in the future. While it is safe for you to undergo labiaplasty before you are finished having children, pregnancy and vaginal birth may re-stretch tissues.

How much does labiaplasty cost in Houston?

The cost of labiaplasty ranges from $5,000 to $8,000. At your consultation with Dr. Basu, we will provide you with a complete estimate of your procedure costs, including surgeon’s fees, anesthesia cost, and facility fees.

What are my labiaplasty options?

Based on your anatomy, Dr. Basu will prepare a customized procedure plan to meet your goals. Labiaplasty typically is focused on reducing the labia minora, or inner labia, which is generally achieved using one of two common labiaplasty techniques: the trim technique (a.k.a. curvilinear or edge resection) or the wedge technique (a.k.a. wedge resection):

• The trim labiaplasty technique involves a continuous incision placed along the edge of the labia minora. This evenly removes excess tissues from the length of the labia minora. This may be the preferred technique for those who want to remove discoloration at the edges of their labia.
• The wedge labiaplasty involves removing a wedge of tissue, in the shape of a “V,” from each labia and then joining the remaining tissues together. The benefit of this technique is that the incision is placed transversely across the labia, rather than horizontally along its length, and is therefore more subtle.

Both techniques are considered to be safe, so you and Dr. Basu will work together to establish a procedure plan that achieves the results you desire and that you are comfortable with. It is also common to combine labia minora reduction with a reduction of the clitoral hood or with reduction of the outer labia (majoraplasty) in cases where these combined techniques will achieve the best aesthetic outcome for you.

Combining labiaplasty with vaginal rejuvenation

Labiaplasty does not affect the internal tissues of the vagina; as such, some women may choose to combine labiaplasty with non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation. At Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery, we offer ThermiVa®, which can improve vaginal laxity (looseness), vaginal dryness, and alleviate mild stress urinary incontinence by tightening internal tissues. ThermiVa also helps to improve the overall appearance of external vaginal tissues by promoting collagen production for firmer skin.

• Learn more about ThermiVa »

What happens during labiaplasty?

Dr. Basu offers labiaplasty under a combination of intravenous (IV) sedation and local anesthesia to maximize your comfort. Some patients may prefer general anesthesia, which is also an option.

After you are comfortable and the anesthesia has taken effect, Dr. Basu will make incisions in the labia minora, per the surgical plan that you discussed in your pre-operative visit. Excess tissues will be removed, and remaining tissues will be reshaped in order to achieve the ideal size and symmetry. Incisions will be closed with very fine, dissolvable sutures. After surgery, you will need to have a trusted adult to drive you home.

What should I expect from recovery after labiaplasty?

After labiaplasty, you will likely be able to return to work in 3-5 days. You will need to wait several weeks before exercising or resuming vigorous activity, and we recommend waiting 1-2 months—or as long as it takes for incisions to fully heal—before resuming sexual activity.

How long do labiaplasty results last?

Your results from labiaplasty will be very long-lasting, but the aging process will continue. Some further stretching is a normal part of the aging process, and stretching may be exacerbated by any future pregnancies, delivering a child vaginally, or experiencing hormonal changes during menopause.

Are there any alternatives to labiaplasty?

For patients with significant excess tissue in the labia minora (a condition referred to as labial hypertrophy), labiaplasty is the only procedure that will shorten the labia minora to be even with or placed just within the outer labia. For slight sagging, however, non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation (we use ThermiVa®, a radiofrequency-based device) can tighten internal tissues and offer a subtle improvement to the appearance of the external genitals.

Why trust Dr. Basu with your procedure

Dr. Basu is among the most experienced and respected Houston board-certified plastic surgeons. He has established a luxury private practice in Northwest Houston located in Cypress Town Center. Dr. Basu specializes in a full range of plastic surgery procedures that require a great deal of nuance and care, including facelift, neck lift, breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, mommy makeover, and post weight loss body lifts.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Bob Basu

It is of the utmost importance to choose a provider who has extensive experience with the procedure you seek. With labiaplasty, in particular, choose a surgeon who has demonstrated experience creating optimal, natural-looking results with the procedure and who understands how to provide results safely in this delicate area. To schedule your consultation with board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bob Basu in Houston or Cypress, TX, call 713.799.2278 or contact us online.

Areas served:

• Uptown Houston
• Cypress