Genital Cosmetic Surgery

Chicago, Illinois

A variety of techniques are grouped under the procedure "labiaplasty". I have described some of these below. It is unlikely that you will need all of these. Therefore a clinical exam is necessary in order to assess you anatomy and to determine the most appropriate procedure to achieve your goals.

Labia Minora Reduction

Labiaplasty is a procedure performed on women who dislike the large size of their labia minora, which may cause embarrassment with a sexual partner or discomfort in tight pants, with sports, or during sexual intercourse. Some women are born with enlarged labia and therefore opt to have labiaplasty; whereas others develop the enlargement with age or from child-birth. Occasionally, a woman is self-conscious of her labia since childhood. A labia reduction (labiaplasty) procedure can be performed to reduce the labia minora.

Various techniques are available for treating prominent labia minora. Traditionally, gynecologists and plastic surgeons perform labia minora reduction (labia reduction or labiaplasty) by excising the protuberant labia minora and over sewing the raw edge. This is the easiest technique and can be performed quite easily in the office. The incision line lies along the edge of the labia minora. Another modification was recently described by Dr. Alter called the "Alter labia contouring" procedure "the new labiaplasty", which preserves the normal contour, color, and anatomy of the labia minora edge. The protuberant labium is excised in a "V" manner and the upper and lower edges are sutured together. Therefore, the only suture line visible on the edge is a transverse horizontal line instead of a longitudinal vertical suture line. This procedure works better for certain anatomic variants of prominent labia.

Labia Majora Remodeling

The outer lips of the vagina can be enlarged with excess skin and tissue. This enlargement causes an embarrassing bulge in pants or swimsuits. The labia majora may be enlarged from birth, secondary to childbirth, or due to aging. A technique is available to reduce their size by removing a crescent shaped portion of each inner labium. The scar is hidden in the concavity between the inner and outer labia. This surgery is also minor and takes about one and a half hours.

The surgery is relatively minor and is not very uncomfortable. It is performed in a fully accredited surgical center. General anesthesia is usually used, but sedation with local anesthesia is possible. The complication rate is extremely low. If you have a relatively sedate job, you can probably return to work in 5 days. I will see you on the day before surgery, and you can return home 2-3 days after the operation. You can resume sexual relations in about 4 weeks.

Labia Majora Fat Injections to increase the fullness of the outer lips of the vagina.

Aging, weight loss, or heredity can cause loss of the youthful fullness of the labia majora. This is easily corrected by injecting fat taken from another area of the body. The procedure is minor and takes about an hour. Surgery is usually performed under sedation with local anesthesia. It can be done alone or in conjunction with another procedure. You can resume sexual relations in about two weeks.

Pubic Liposuction and Lift

A woman may have unsightly fat deposits in her pubic region, which causes a bulge in clothes. This deposit may have been present since birth or acquired with weight gain or puberty. Usually the fat can be eliminated by liposuction - this is called pubic liposuction. Aging or weight gain may cause the pubic and vaginal regions to descend, resulting in an aged appearance. These areas can be rejuvenated and lifted by excising excess skin above the pubic hair and removing excess fat in the pubic region. The pubic liposuction and pubic lift procedure may be combined with a tummy tuck or requested after having a tummy tuck.

OVERVIEW

As you can see, an important part of this examination is the evaluation of the underlying anatomy. Prior history of weight gain and loss as well as child bearing history is also important. Insurance may cover the labiaplasty surgery if you have any discomfort. It is best to come with a letter documenting and supporting your complaints after evaluation by your gynecologist. Should you seek insurance predetermination of benefits, we are happy to assist you in obtaining preauthorization. However, we do request a consultation fee which can be credited towards your surgical fees.

During the consultation we may determine that other procedures are better suited for your optimal outcome.

The procedure of choice is a complex decision process determined based on your desires, anatomy, practicality, and wound healing. This is usually determined at the time of the initial consultation but may need to be adjusted intra-operatively.

Surgery is about 1-2 hours and is performed on an outpatient basis.

The procedure can be done in several different places (hospital, office surgical suite, or surgicenter) and the prices vary accordingly.

There are risks to crossing the street or flying in an airplane and, of course, there are risks to any surgical procedure. These risks can occur regardless of surgeon or technique. These include but are not limited to: infection, hematoma, discomfort, wound breakdown, hypertrophic scar formation, asymmetry, unfavorable healing, numbness, pain, adverse reaction to medications/injectables/implants, palpability, visibility, distortion with muscular contraction, need for secondary surgical revisions, and inability to guarantee a specific cosmetic result.

We use financing through our society. Your rate depends upon your credit rating. We will provide you with the contact following consultation. Arrangements for the financing are carried out exclusively between you and the finance corporation. Your terms of payment can be flexible. However, we do expect you to pay prior to scheduling surgery

Please e-mail or call our Chicago or Arlington Heights plastic surgery offices for more information on any of the above plastic surgery procedures.