Labiaplasty Nightmare

Hello to all...

I am an American journalist, and I'm writing a piece on vaginal cosmetic surgery. Would anyone in this forum be willing to discuss their experience (either positive or negative) with me? It can be done over phone or email, and can be kept anonymous, if you like.

I can be reached at _[removed]_.

Thanks for your help!
Jo

Wow, I feel horrible for you guys. What a trauma you have all gone through! It seems sad because big lips drive me CRAZY! I absolutely love them! How horrible that so many would want to reduce something so beautiful! I know lots of lesbians and men who love big inner labia--even ones that hang past the outer labia.

I hope you all get better! I would definitely pursue litigation if at all possible.

Thank you so much for posting this, it has made me think twice about getting labiaplasty. i really don't know what to do, i have really really large labia, and it's extremely embarrassing and makes me really upset, i am 18, and had major self confidence issues for years. i was too scared to have sex or to wear a bikini because i didn't anyone to find out. I used to cry every night thinking that no one would ever want to have sex with me after they saw my vagina. I am happier with myself now, but it is still something that gets me down, and i hate having sex with even the dimmest light on. i am so sick of guys i'm sleeping with commenting and asking if it's "normal". My ex boyfriend even stretched it me out full when he saw me, saying, "holy F*** thats huge" I think i am extremely large, way more than most, and hate it so much. For two years i have been dead set on the idea of labiaplasty, but i'm a uni student, i don't have a job, and theres no way i can even let my parents know something's wrong. It's to the point where i'm thinking of doing a bit of prostitution, because as damaging and painfull that will be emotionally, i am starting to think i will be happier for it.
Thank you so much if anyone has been bothered to read this huge novel, and Please, Please, help me, i need some advice and i really don't know what to do.

wow, i had labiaplasty done 2 days ago and it looks terrible right now. i was going online to find out if it was supposed to or not and how long until it looks/feels better ? ? i really hope it doesnt look mangled up after it is healed :S

I am so sorry to hear of all the 'labiaplasties gone wrong.' I am in the same boat with all of you. My right labia has been longer than my left since puberty. I have always hated how it hangs out of my outer labia (though only slightly) and how it was darker and 'uglier' than its mate. My partner loved my vagina and now I feel that I should have loved it, too, for I am dealing with great pain, discomfort, and multiple surgeries to fix it. I had a wedge labiaplasty done on 3/17/09 and all was fine until the stitches were taken out 8 days later. The day after they were removed, my vagina looked like a rotting piece of meat. The entire wound opened up and the wedge separated, leaving the inside of my skin to be raw and tender (nothing to say disgusting to look at!). I went back to the drs and was told I needed to wait one week for the inflammation to go down before she could restitch. The second procedure was done in her office (as opposed to the OR where it was initially done) and I was given numbing medication. She sewed the inner skin and then the wedge back together. Once the numbing meds wore off, I thought I was going to die. I could not walk, could not sit, and could not believe how much I hurt. Waves of pain flooded my vagina and I was one hour away from pain meds. It was incredible torture. I can't even tell you. The next night as I sat down, I felt a terrible 'ping' and pain raced through my vagina. I knew I had popped a stitch. I went to bed, laid there for two days doing nothing so I wouldn't pop any more stitches, but by the time I saw the dr two days later, the wound was open again. I just went last week back to the OR to have my labia wound sewn back up again. I thought that the procedure was a success. I iced the area, stayed in bed for about 4 days, did NOTHING..........and yet I am busted open again. I have been unable to work during this entire time. I am starting to get upset that I am not healing and I'm hoping that something can be done so that I can have a normal looking vagina. This is far from normal. I miss my old, long labia and regret having ever decided to do this. There is immense pain near my clitoris and I feel like this will affect something later on. It has been just one big disaster. We all have our preferences and all probably hate things about ourselves. I know that for every one surgery that goes wrong, there are a million that go right. I just wanted to share my story to help others who may be contemplating doing this. It is your body, but be sure to research doctors and ask questions. Mylonger lip caused no pain and was only 'ugly' to me. I am now worried whether intimacy will be affected, orgasm, and all of that good stuff. I can't even imagine wanting to be touched after I heal. I'm so scared that I will be in pain. Good luck to everyone who goes through with this, and my empathy to those who have had a bad experience. :'(

I cant believe what Im reading here, why in gods name would any woman want to mutilate there labia??? you only have your selfs to blame for going for the surgery in the first place, if only you had done some research to start with, and if the surgery was required it should have been detailed in a document for you to sign so there was no mistaking how much of the inner labia should be removed also a few photos before the op would have been in order, Im 43 and so in my time I have met more than enough guys and Ive yet to find one that prefers small labia, JUST DONT DO IT.

that message is unbelievably painful to read and so true. if only you'd have been here to warn us all earlier. im 15 and ive ruined my life before it has even started.

It is very sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience. Its unfair to discourage others from doing what can be the best decision. It just takes more careful planning, research, sufficient cash and post-operative care. I had mine done in September 2007 and travelled overseas three weeks later – removed stitches when I got back a month later. Healed perfectly following all docs instructions. DO not overwork the area, bed rest! - painkillers make you painless and you can overwork the area without knowing it even from walking. try not take a pain killer and see how much blood is pumped to that area by simple walking.

I have had discomfort from my previously enlarged labia, it was difficult to keep my hygiene, denied sexual pleasures due to the way it looked before the surgery - NOW - I am free. I enjoy life, enjoy sex, very easy to keep smelling clean and tasting good.

Most importantly - RESEARCH your DOCS !!! Make sure your doc is certified board member in this field, legitimate, don’t be shy to ask numbers of surgeries performed, statistics, success-failure stories ect! This is an out of packet expense so many settle for a cheaper doc and pay for this mistake for the rest of their lives.

I had two kids and after having the last one I did labiaplasty AND vaginal rejuvenation as the same time - the sex is awesome now. especially if your boyfriends penis is not too big to begin with. The best investment of my life. He even did what is called un-hooding – opening of the clit – which can result in a nerve damage if done incorrectly. The result is NOT YOUR LUCK– it’s the competence of the doc you selected and the number of surgeries he/she performed and their success rate.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. i would also highly recommend doing the procedure locally – you might want to see your docs without having to travel long-distance.

i am very unhappy with the size of my inner labia and searched labioplasty on the internet before coming across this website. i am only 16 but it does really effect my self esteem, not that anyone else has yet to see my vagina but i know that my vaginal lips are large and protrude. when i painfully read through all of these posts, my eyes filled with tears. you poor women, i cannot belief that these medical authorities have done this to you. my kindest regards and thoughts to you, you have completely helped me in making me feel better about myself and each time i see what i think of as my horrible looking downstairs i will think of everything you have said.thank you ever so much, you have definatly made an insecure unsure teenage girl feel far better about herself. i cannot actually thank you enough!

I hav just recently got labiaplasty done. Im still healing, however i have been trimmed unevenly. It looks as though one surgeon done one side and another done the other side. It looks awful and embaressing. Also on the side with the less labia , they have removed pretty much all the skin that was there. That was the side that got infected and it became agony to urinate, still is. I would make sure you have a good surgeon if you get this done, i now will have to go back and get more surgery to even it up. It is a very sensitive and sore area for ages after the surgery. Its upto you. I know im not going to look natural at all when its finished. As i have no labia whatsoever on the smaller side.
hope my advice has been helpful??

I am very sorry to hear about the problems that some of you have had.I was thinking about having the surgery several times & 99% for cosmetic reasons.I definitely won't do it now.Too much risk it seems for a couple of inches of extra loose skin.Good luck girls.I hope you start feeling well soon ~ Shante' ~

HI I have inner labia that hang down about 3-4 inches beneath my outer labia. This has caused discomfort as they get caught under knicker elastic, I worry about them showing a lot, i.e. actually haning out because sometimes they do!

It is causing problems with my sex life as it seems to take quite some time to find a comfortable position, with a lot of stopping and starting. I also have infections quite frequently as they might be holding urine in, even though I am very clean.

HAs anyone had problems with just a REDUCTION rather than a total removal of the labia? It sounds really scary and like yu need to find a totally trusted gynae or it will make the problem even worse!!

The gyneacologist in Western Australia I have found is well recommended, but how can I be sure?

ANy comments - do and don't appreciated.

Hi, Are you still thinking of pursuing a legal case, because I am too. I haven't been able be happy since the surgery and I HATE the results of the surgery and really regret it, sometimes i cant even sleep bcos i feel guity and bitter with myself for makin the decision to go with the surgery. Although now i know it's not my fault and it was due to the incompetence of the surgeonr, So im also thinkin of pursuing a legal case.



B.T.W What country do you live in?

I had labiaplasty amputation 3 months ago after asking for a reduction. I am trying to cope but I am severely depressed and suffering from anxiety. I thought wold improve my labia but instead they have been chopped off leaving the thinnest part.

I have started counseling/ CBT in the UK. I'm sure I am not the only one and would like to know whether this has helped anyone. I am very concerned that I will suffer from depression for the rest of my life.

Hello ;I had my labiaplasty last year before my marriege . I hade very nice secual life before surgery but ı wasnt like one side of labia minora . I searched from internet it was writing there is no risk and 2 weeks it will be beter . And there wasnt any bad results . All the posts was from doctors and it was normal because they showes only good things . I went to doctor and I couldnt show att all . I just said to repair only one side. I have local anestesy and when the operation was doing I was saying dont change the other part .. Thanks god they didint cut the left part . But it was enought to feel bad even if one part cuted .
Now Im married my husband didint see my lips before because ı was shame from that . Now mt sex life not even before because it was not geting wet and big enough for sex . My husband feels something it is going wrong but ı can not say him . I was missing my old lips . It was reallt sexual . I dont recomend nobody to make this operation . Because it makes very bad affect to sexual life and phisixlogcly .
In the internet there must be more information also the risks of this operation . The doctors may doesnt know soo much information . We must tell them ..

and the girls please dont do it . and say god thanks what gives us .