labia reduction surgery

I do regret my labia reduction. I had it done about eight years ago and It's only just dawning on me now about what I have lost.

I had the operation because of a horrible throw away comment made by a man that I now know had issues with his sexuality and therefore not necessairy representative of men generally. After he said what he did, I went to my GP, got referred and had them taken off. It's weird that it's taken me so long to realise what a mistake I've made but I think it's taken me a long time to mature, to understand that a real women don't resemble the tiny "slits" that you see in porn mags. An even bigger revalation is that some men absolutely love large labia especially when giving oral sex (which is ironically the time I felt most embarassed). I now feel less of a woman and hate men going down on me because it feels unnatural. I wish I could turn back time and ave them back.

Don't do it.

Hi! I had my labia reduced couple of weeks ago through the NHS. Ive had long labia for ages and although I didnt like the look, my main concern was the pain and discomfort I felt whilst sitting, driving, excercising etc....So I went to me doc and explained that the main reason I wanted it was because it was disrupting my daily life and she referred me to a plastic surgeon without question. That was in July. In august I had a consultation with the plastic surgeon who was originally meant to do the procedure. He agreed to it straight away, however, I was slightly concerned because he said that the only 'Process' he used was a straight incision, which basically means that they cut straight down the labia to reduce it. But having done my research beforehand, I knew that the most popular process was using the 'V' incision (http://www.altermd.com/Female%20Genital%20Surgery/labia_minora_reduction.htm). This leaves it looking much more natural compared to the straight incision. Anyway, when I asked him about this he said he didnt use that technique as he wasnt trained to do this so I just thought I'd make do. So at the end of October I get a call from the plastic surgeons secretary saying that the plastic surgeon had a really long waiting list, however, there was another plastic surgeon available who could do the surgey immediately. I was slightly worried as I didnt know much about this new guy but decided to meet him anyway...and boy am i glad I did! He was absolutely lovely, really reassuring AND he was trained to do the 'V' incision which he advised was the best way. So I was booked for 03/11/08. It was under general anaesthetic. When I woke up and the local anaesthetic wore off from the area, it was painful! The pain only lasted a couple of hours though and faded away with some pain killers. Using the toilet was absolutely fine. Following day I was sent home and didnt really feel any pain. The worst is when your sitting down but walking and things is not so bad. Having looked at my area I can say I am 100% happy with it so far. Looks absolutely natural, cant even see where the scars are due to the nature of the 'V' incision. So for those who really genuinely need the surgery then I would definitely recommend that you ask the plastic surgeon if he can use the 'V' incision or to refer you to someone who can do it. Sorry about this incredibly long post but I know I was looking for something as detailed as this prior to my surgey so I hope it helps.

Hey, ii Am 16 Years Old And So Unbalivably Unhappy, And ii Have Been For Aslong As ii Can Remember.!
ii Am Thinking About Having Surgury Which ii Didn't Even No Yu' Could Have Until ii Watched..'Teenagers Embarrassing Bodies'.
ii Have Always Known That There Has Been Something Wrong With Me, As ii New That It Wasn't Right!.
ii Am 2 Scared 2 Tell Anybody About It..Me And My Boyfriend Have Been Together Now Nearly 6Months, And ii Have Slept With Him Once, As ii Am 2 Scared And Worried To Do it Again!..
My Lad Mates Are Always Joking Around,..Saying That They Hate Girls With 'Big Flaps',..&& ii Don't Kno What 2 Say, As They Do Not No What ii Am Going Through As ii Feel ii Can Not Talk About It.!
ii Was Just Wondering Does It Cost Much To Have It Done? And Is It Worth It?
Please Write Back As ii Am In Need Ov Some Advice!
Thank You x

InNeedOvHelp!

Hi ladies, i cant believe i found this forum with post and pre op people. My gf is looking to get this done due to phyiscal and mental issues regarding her labia. I was thinking about refering her and going down the NHS route but from personal experiance of NHS doctors and all the horror stories you hear we are leaning more towards private. We looked on the web and spoke to someone on the phone from a company called surgicare. They seem very keen and will reply within seconds / minutes. I am not sure if these are after our money etc. Has anyone here heard of them at all?

They quoted my gf £3000 over the phone and i will need to phone them to find out what that includes. I am sceptic as these type of operations once done there is no going back so you need to be sure etc.

Would you people mind if i dropped you a few PMs regarding your operation and your posts here to make sure i get my questions / answers right before our first appointment. I would rather get all the questions and things right first time rather than post op questions because things went wrong etc. The money shouldnt be a problem as you cant really put a price on your health so its well worth it.

I had labiaplasty done on wednesday and it is now monday, on the NHS due to medical and cosmetic reasons
im so upset because it looks like it has gone totally wrong?
im obviously still a bit black and blue due to bruising but what i thought would be removed to me looks like half of it is still there
i still have a bit on one side, like a big bulge at the back dangling down...is this meant to be there?! because i can tell what is swelling and this really does just look like skin, this bit also has no stiches in it, its where they stop
i dont know whether this is really bad swelling..or they just havent done their job properly
the other side looks alright(ish), i can tell its swollen and hoping that will go down but that also is still a bit more than what i expected to be there, its still not what i expected though...this isnt me being fussy either
the pain was minimal its just itching/prickling a bit

can someone whose had it done or a surgeon pleaseeee help me and tell me whats going on?!

hey I am in the process of booking to have my operation done, I do have very mixed emotions and reading some of the comments from other people it does scare me. I really have wanted this done for years and to be honest I think if you do your research first you should be fine... I was wondering if anyone could help me with prices... I have only looked to go abroad as it is really cheap, but after careful consideration I have decided to stay local in case anything goes wrong! Can anyone help me with prices and recommendations I live in Brighton East Sussex. Thanks Sue

i am 22 now and i have been to my doctor to talk about having surgery to reduce my labia but the lady doctor made me feel stupid, she acted as if she never heard of such procedures and would not offer it on the NHS to me - despite me telling her that they often make things hurt and uncomfortable.

i am unable to afford such a procedure and i came home feeling more embarrased because the doctor made me feel stupid by saying "you only hear of such things from porn did you"

how is it possible to get this done on the nhs,, i never lost my virginity til i was 21 and i still feel humilliated about how i look down there

can anyone advise me please

Hi Everyone,

I had the surgery done in July 2008 and it was the best thing I have done for myself yet! I suffered with the embarrassment for as long as I can remember.

My best suggestion is to find a really good OB/GYN. A lot of times, if it is causing wetness, irritation, or any other physical problems it can be covered under insurance. My OB/GYN was very well educated on the insurance process and it was COVERED!! I had asked my PCP about it and she too made me feel like it was absurd that I would even ask such a question.

If you decide to go through with it, the most uncomfortable part is the recovery. It will burn when you urinate and I would recommend asking for Ambien if you have problems sleeping. (Or Simply Sleep is available over the counter, works just as well.) Make a habit of sleeping on top of a towel in the nude to speed up recovery. Take 2-3 sitz baths a day to help the stitches come out. Since most doctors will use individual stitches it will take weeks for them to dissolve out.

Any other questions, please feel free to ask! Put my Username in the post or subject like so I know it's for me!

Im a 17 year old girl and so upset about down below it actually depresses me. ii have been with my boyfriend along time now, and he has never seen down there. As ii am to scared to really do anything. Iv slept with him once since being with him and that scared me to death because ii am really worried about what he will say or what he wil think.
I get alot ov discharge aswell, and ii dont no what that is due to.
I also have to wear certain knickers as it really hurts me when ii walk.
I am in desperate need of getting myself fixed, but ii have no money. Do you no anything that will help me?

WriteBackPlease
InNeedOvHelp x

I am 16 years old 17 in march. and like every other girl i am embarrassed about my looks. and appearance down there. i am to scared to date any one.
it was a few weeks ago when for the first time a boy has ever touched me down there and i was so scared. i dont i always think he is telling people how gross it was and she is nasty. i always hear guys talking about how that is so gross. and then shut down once for it. its sad and i have to wait until i am 18 to get a sugary. i am excited for when i do turn it. first thing i want to do. but even then i am to ashamed to see a doctor look at me.

Hey everyone,

All the comments on the site have been really helpful. I am now 26 and noticed my large labia minora when I was very young but now I feel that I have to do something about it as I feel that it really effects my everyday life!!

Alexxx I also called Surgicare regarding this procedure and I was slightly put off by how quickly they could do the operation!!! Did your girlfriend have the work done by this company and if so was she satisfied and happy? I am considering getting it done with them in 2 weeks time but I am still unsure, could anyone recommend a good place to have the operation in the UK.

Thanks

Hi everyone.
I had an appointment this morning at my local hospital gyno ward.
I have felt uncomfortable about my labia since a young age ,i even experienced when I was 15 a pubic hair getting caught around my labia - the pain was horrific, this was when I new I was different. Now I know how many people are like this but the sad thing is it doesn't comfort me or make me feel any better. If only boys were shown in school how different vagina look. I have had guys say horrible things about mine and sex has been uncomfortable.
At my appointment today the doctor looked at me and said you are perfectly normal! I just cried and told him how it affects my confidence with guys and the pain. he said you are getting more pain because you are feeling anxious about it. He said though that he would operate if I really felt like it was needed (this is on the nhs,) he gave me an open appointment so I could go away and think about it. I have spent all afternoon reading everyone comments on here and still I really believe I want the surgery. my problem is how do I tell my friends/housemates/work and mum?? I feel like I should talk to a friend or my mum but every time I try to I chicken out as I feel so embarrassed.
I am glad of this site. I hope soon I will have the courage to talk to someone about it.
I hope all of you that have had the surgery are recovering well :-)
:'(

Hey. I have recently been to the doctors about my right labia it also sticks down and causes irritation. I do not want this operation done because of appearance but more to the fact it is irritating and painful, and will always wake me up at night. I have been given an appointment with the Gynecologist free on the NHS therefore, i was just wondering how long it took you to get the operation from the date of ceing your doctors? Please write back x

hi all,i had labia reduction on 16th jan (5 days ago),still in lots of pain the stinging is unreal,think its the stiches,plus the swelling is mostly on the left side and rubs against my clothes,when i lie on my side it stings where it touches my legjust hoping it'l go down soon,still cant relly get a picture of how it will look when everythings healed right side is perfect hardly no swelling(only last nite started blleding more}other than that its been fine,but the left is still really swollen making my skin where the stiches are kind of bubble out which is so painfull, cos is that swollen it looks completly different to the left side but i keep telling myself to be patient,ive wanted this op since as long as i can remember im now 25 yet they started to bother me when i was around 13 i absolutly hated them they hung down nearly 1 inch and where dark dark purple uck?so im glad there finally gone like you wouldnt believe just fealing really sorry for myself(an they say men make bad patienta ha ha)does anyone out there have any tips on how i can speed up the healing or better still a fast way for the stiches to dissolve,any advice will be appricated,thanks all

Hi does any body know how much labia reduction is on average? is it cheaper on the nhs?? xx