Hello,
I've read a lot of horror stories on this site so far and most have been related to having the entire labia minora removed or having some surgical contact with the clitoris resulting in exposure or damage to that very sensitive area. I'm very sorry to read about this. As far as i understand, this is NOT labia reduction surgery - it is butchery. True labia reduction is reducing the labia to a point where it relieves pain and/or looks the way the patient wants it to look. So I suppose I want to caution ladies to ask what the surgeon's idea of labia reduction is and ask to see pictures so that you are both on the same page as to what you expect. I wonder if we extracted only the surgeries where the labia was reduced to an appropriate size so that it would not expose too much, if we'd read about as many horror stories. So it concerns me that I see movements to talk women into not having this surgery. I think the better response is to ensure we are knowledgeable about what can go wrong and why (seems to be incompetence of doctors, not results of a properly done surgery but I am not an expert)
The other advice I would like to give is to stay awake during the surgery. You do not need to be put to sleep. I realize some people will be too anxious to do this. I personally decided not to have any form of sedation because years ago I had breast reduction surgery and woke up and the doctor had decided during the surgery that he should not take out as much as we previously decided upon. I had asked to be a C cup and he left me a D cup. I felt absolutely violated but powerless to do anything. I vowed I would never be put in a position where a decision could be made without me again (if I could avoid it). I have read so many posts about girls waking up to find their labia gone completely and that is why I recommend staying awake and asking for a "play by play" of what's going on.
That said, I just had my surgery on Thursday (today is Sunday) and I'm amazed at how pain free I've been from the beginning to now. I should state that I tend to be a fast healer and I have a high tolerance for pain, but I literally had no pain at all. It could be because I had laser surgery, I'm not sure.
1. I put the numbing cream on and the surgeon was delayed so it was on for a good hour. That may be why the injections didn't hurt at all. I could barely even tell she was injecting me.
2. My surgeon had an assistance to help hold the labia away from the clitoris.
3. My surgeon marked where she was going to cut and then had everyone in the room look for an opinion and consensus (this was sort of weird and I couldn't help thinking it would be a funny sitcom episode). In retrospect, the only thing I would have changed is that I asked to a) see this in a mirror and b) stand up to see where they'd be (got this from another girls suggestion).
4. My nurse gave me a play by play of what was going on, as did my surgeon. It was very quick. She made the main cut with the laser then used the laser to touch things up. I was scared right before she used the laser because OMG, what if it DID hurt? Would I jerk? I didn't feel a thing. Nor did I smell anything (they have a little machine to suck up smoke - I guess it's for that reason).
5. After the surgery, she put on some silver sulfadiazine and instructed me to have a sitz bath (basically sitting in very warm water) 4 times a day, then put the cream on the wound again. She also gave me pain meds and instructions to ice.
6. Peeing didn't hurt, amazingly enough. I even could pat dry with tissue without pain. There was some blood which gets less every day. Now there is barely any.
In terms of swelling, I really didn't have any that was noticeable. Again, I'm a fast healer and that along with having laser done could be why. I didn't use ice at all. I wore loose shorts and continue to. I do take the baths but not because I'm in pain, really more because after awhile the cream and resulting dampness makes me feel unclean and maybe like it's slowing down my healing. Sitting in the bath makes me feel fresh.
So, while I'm no medical expert, what worked for me was
-stay awake to keep an eye and have a voice during the procedure.
-investigate laser - it might be less intrusive and lead to less pain and faster healing - again, not sure if it's just my body or the laser, but worth checking out.
-Make sure you and the surgeon have the same idea of what labia reduction is both in how it's described and in pictures.
Good luck!
I've read a lot of horror stories on this site so far and most have been related to having the entire labia minora removed or having some surgical contact with the clitoris resulting in exposure or damage to that very sensitive area. I'm very sorry to read about this. As far as i understand, this is NOT labia reduction surgery - it is butchery. True labia reduction is reducing the labia to a point where it relieves pain and/or looks the way the patient wants it to look. So I suppose I want to caution ladies to ask what the surgeon's idea of labia reduction is and ask to see pictures so that you are both on the same page as to what you expect. I wonder if we extracted only the surgeries where the labia was reduced to an appropriate size so that it would not expose too much, if we'd read about as many horror stories. So it concerns me that I see movements to talk women into not having this surgery. I think the better response is to ensure we are knowledgeable about what can go wrong and why (seems to be incompetence of doctors, not results of a properly done surgery but I am not an expert)
The other advice I would like to give is to stay awake during the surgery. You do not need to be put to sleep. I realize some people will be too anxious to do this. I personally decided not to have any form of sedation because years ago I had breast reduction surgery and woke up and the doctor had decided during the surgery that he should not take out as much as we previously decided upon. I had asked to be a C cup and he left me a D cup. I felt absolutely violated but powerless to do anything. I vowed I would never be put in a position where a decision could be made without me again (if I could avoid it). I have read so many posts about girls waking up to find their labia gone completely and that is why I recommend staying awake and asking for a "play by play" of what's going on.
That said, I just had my surgery on Thursday (today is Sunday) and I'm amazed at how pain free I've been from the beginning to now. I should state that I tend to be a fast healer and I have a high tolerance for pain, but I literally had no pain at all. It could be because I had laser surgery, I'm not sure.
1. I put the numbing cream on and the surgeon was delayed so it was on for a good hour. That may be why the injections didn't hurt at all. I could barely even tell she was injecting me.
2. My surgeon had an assistance to help hold the labia away from the clitoris.
3. My surgeon marked where she was going to cut and then had everyone in the room look for an opinion and consensus (this was sort of weird and I couldn't help thinking it would be a funny sitcom episode). In retrospect, the only thing I would have changed is that I asked to a) see this in a mirror and b) stand up to see where they'd be (got this from another girls suggestion).
4. My nurse gave me a play by play of what was going on, as did my surgeon. It was very quick. She made the main cut with the laser then used the laser to touch things up. I was scared right before she used the laser because OMG, what if it DID hurt? Would I jerk? I didn't feel a thing. Nor did I smell anything (they have a little machine to suck up smoke - I guess it's for that reason).
5. After the surgery, she put on some silver sulfadiazine and instructed me to have a sitz bath (basically sitting in very warm water) 4 times a day, then put the cream on the wound again. She also gave me pain meds and instructions to ice.
6. Peeing didn't hurt, amazingly enough. I even could pat dry with tissue without pain. There was some blood which gets less every day. Now there is barely any.
In terms of swelling, I really didn't have any that was noticeable. Again, I'm a fast healer and that along with having laser done could be why. I didn't use ice at all. I wore loose shorts and continue to. I do take the baths but not because I'm in pain, really more because after awhile the cream and resulting dampness makes me feel unclean and maybe like it's slowing down my healing. Sitting in the bath makes me feel fresh.
So, while I'm no medical expert, what worked for me was
-stay awake to keep an eye and have a voice during the procedure.
-investigate laser - it might be less intrusive and lead to less pain and faster healing - again, not sure if it's just my body or the laser, but worth checking out.
-Make sure you and the surgeon have the same idea of what labia reduction is both in how it's described and in pictures.
Good luck!
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Great post expressme.
It amazes me how many stories I read about girls (and boys) who have genital modifications done without doing any research before hand and apparently have no discussion with the doctor about what is to be done and what the results will be.
I hope you can get through to some of them anyway.
It's my belief that it's your body and this is elective surgery so you have the right to decide exactly what is to be done and to make sure the surgeon is capable of doing what you want.
.
It amazes me how many stories I read about girls (and boys) who have genital modifications done without doing any research before hand and apparently have no discussion with the doctor about what is to be done and what the results will be.
I hope you can get through to some of them anyway.
It's my belief that it's your body and this is elective surgery so you have the right to decide exactly what is to be done and to make sure the surgeon is capable of doing what you want.
.
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I can't say it amazes me that people don't research as much before as they do after. Oftentimes they aren't sure what to ask or how to search. For example, it took me a long time to find this site and I only found it after my surgery! I was lucky in that I happened to have a doctor who discussed the options and didn't intimidate me, but it's quite easy to be intimidated by doctors, assuming they know best and that they have your best interest at heart.
That said, my doctor didn't, for example, offer me the option for non-laser surgery and I didn't ask about it. I am happy with the results thus far, but I also don't care that much what the edges look like. I just wanted to be comfortable and not have them stick out and get swollen anymore. Some people care a lot that the edges are thin; laser doesn't seem (so far anyway) to give that result.
UPDATE: I foolishly traveled for work and sat in all day meetings about 5 days after the surgery. I wasn't doing anything but sitting but it was enough to cause pain for the first time, as well as some minor swelling. I soaked quite a bit in epsom salt baths and the result is that I'm staying in all weekend again. I'm doing very well, but I learned that you must protect the fact that you're doing well by being as careful as you would if you were not doing well.
I also have been using carmex. I find it's not as goopy as they silver sulf. cream and it stays coated much longer. It also seems to help the healing for me faster but that could just be because I'm in the 2nd week and I appear to be healing faster to the naked eye. However, I now take warm salt water, dip a soft cotton ball in it, press it against my labia and sit and watch TV for 30 minutes or so like that. I find I can also gently wipe with this solution. Then I wait for it to dry, and squeeze some carmex into the length of the wound, put on underwear inside out (so the seams don't rub) and I'm good for several hours. Again, for me, the cream just made me feel wet down there all the time. No one advised me to use carmex, I just have always used it for cuts and whatnot so I figured, why not?
I have been taking photos and will post them as soon as I can figure out how. THis might help those who wonder "is this normal?"
That said, my doctor didn't, for example, offer me the option for non-laser surgery and I didn't ask about it. I am happy with the results thus far, but I also don't care that much what the edges look like. I just wanted to be comfortable and not have them stick out and get swollen anymore. Some people care a lot that the edges are thin; laser doesn't seem (so far anyway) to give that result.
UPDATE: I foolishly traveled for work and sat in all day meetings about 5 days after the surgery. I wasn't doing anything but sitting but it was enough to cause pain for the first time, as well as some minor swelling. I soaked quite a bit in epsom salt baths and the result is that I'm staying in all weekend again. I'm doing very well, but I learned that you must protect the fact that you're doing well by being as careful as you would if you were not doing well.
I also have been using carmex. I find it's not as goopy as they silver sulf. cream and it stays coated much longer. It also seems to help the healing for me faster but that could just be because I'm in the 2nd week and I appear to be healing faster to the naked eye. However, I now take warm salt water, dip a soft cotton ball in it, press it against my labia and sit and watch TV for 30 minutes or so like that. I find I can also gently wipe with this solution. Then I wait for it to dry, and squeeze some carmex into the length of the wound, put on underwear inside out (so the seams don't rub) and I'm good for several hours. Again, for me, the cream just made me feel wet down there all the time. No one advised me to use carmex, I just have always used it for cuts and whatnot so I figured, why not?
I have been taking photos and will post them as soon as I can figure out how. THis might help those who wonder "is this normal?"
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Hi there, I have just read your message and it is a shining light in amongst other horror stories i have read. I have been referred for a labia reduction on the NHS but i am also going to see a private cosmetic surgeon i order to compare the experience. Afterall, it is better to pay for a good result rather than have a horendous experience for free!! I would really love to know where you had your surgery and who did it as it is a minefield trying to find positive feedback and find a surgeion i can trust absolutely.
Thanks again!!
Thanks again!!
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Can I ask if you had this procedure for medical reasons or for cosmetic? I am also wondering if you MD talked with you about any risks in regards to sexual function. I have seen several posts that refer to problems with this afterwards. One last question...there are 2 procedures for this surgery. Do you know which one you had?
Thanks for your input. Your post is very helpful.
Thanks for your input. Your post is very helpful.
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I had a labiaplast that was horribly botched. It was not for lack of research or lack of judgement on my part. I put a great deal of time and energy into trying to learn everything I needed to know before my surgery. However, I was only 18, and a virgin. I thought I was abnormal, and could not find any statistical data from the past century, as none had been published at the time. I read journal articles about labiaplasty published in the American journal of plastic surgery. Based on all of my research, I trusted it was a safe, minor procedure. However when it came to choosing a surgeon, I trusted my dad to do that. My dad has been listed as one of the best plastic surgeons in Dallas for years. I had every reason to trust his judgement. He talked to other doctors. My surgeon was recommended as the best ob gyn surgeon by his peers. He was a former president of the texas medical association. He is on the bosrd at aetna. I did not ask to see pictures. However, as my dad points out, just because they have pictures of patients with good results doesn't mean they don't have a lot of bad results too. Still, I suppose that was stupid, but, like I said, I was barely 18. When my surgeon asked how long I wanted them, I said I just didn't want them to stick out so much that they showed in underwear. I had read that a desire for no protrusion was a standard request. On my consent form, it says only "excision of redundant labia." instead all of my labia were removed and some of my clitoral hood. He did this all without even realizing it. Please read the thread "labisplasty nightmare." right now, labiaplasty surgeries are not regulated. Any ob gyn surgeon or plastic surgeon can get permissions to perform these procedures. I do not doubt that some surgeons can perform these surgeries safely. I just think it is not always so easy for the patients to determine who that is. In addition, of you read the scientific literature on labiaplasty, no one properly adresses functional issues in light of the physiology of female sexual response. There is no justification for why labiaplasty should be a safe procedure based on what is known of female sexual anatomy and function. Also, there are no cross-sectional studies of outcomes. In speaking to Dr. Alter, I got the impression that seemingly qualified, well respected surgeons frequently botch these surgeries. I know that neither plastic surgeons nor ob gyns ate adequately educated regarding female sexual anatomy and function during their residencies.
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Also, it seems like when peoples surgeries are successful, they think they are responsible for this success because they were smarter about it. Well, as unregulated as labiaplasty is, and with the amount of bad information out there, and lack of training of surgeons, it really is hard to be smart enough. I hate how people act like patients are to blame when their labiaplasties go wrong. This is not like getting a breast augmentation or something, for gods sake. There are no standards. Patients with good results think they've got it all figured out but if you actually read the literature, it's totally screwed up. There's actually an article in the bjog that reviews all the literature from 1976 to 2009 (or 2010, I forget), that explains it all pretty nicely. Doing "your research" isn't necessarily going to keep you safe. Obviously it's a good idea. But I did my research. I probably spent a good 20 hours on it. I may have been naive but i was not stupid. I was a national merit scholar and got a 1540 on my sats. I looked for data, i looked for statistics, i read medical journals, and I read posts in forums like this one. But then I just trusted my Dad to pick my doctor because he is a plastic surgeon. But he's not an id**t either. He graduated sums cum laude at Duke and went to Duke medical school. I mean, sure, I guess he was stupid. But how smart do people need to be to be safe from unqualified surgeons? Seriously? I mean how much knowledge do you have about the physiology of female sexual function? How aware are you of the exact structural anatomy of the vulva. Because I can tell you a great many labisplasty surgeons lack an adequately detailed understanding if this. How many diagrams of neuroanatomy and vasculature of the vulva gave you seen? How many even exist? Not many. I've read med school anatomy class notes from top med schools where they just kind of skip over the details, saying it's the same as in males. But wait a second. There are a lot of details that are unanswered and unaddressed. There are also a lot of discrepancies in the literature, even between textbooks, that I think are concerning. Regardless, do you really think you can determine functional outcome from a picture. Do you honestly think you, yourself, have the medical expertise to even tell if normal structural anatomy has been maintained. Maybe you do. Buy I can tell you, from personal experience, that a lot of ob guns don't. So be careful. Or actually, just don't have surgery. I mean why are you having surgery? You think you are abnormal. You think you are ugly. Maybe stop for a second and ask yourself where these ideas come from and if they at actually valid. Because most women just have a completely skewed idea of how they are supposed to look. The first post says do your research. Well maybe do your research on the anatomy and where the ideas come from. And ask yourself why is it that several labisplasty articles claim hypertrophy. Occurs due to overexposure to androgens, and this u's tradable only to one case study, where that effect is completely denatesble. Meanwhile it contradicts what is known about the endocrinology of sexual differentiation abs genital development. But yeah, obviously I got mutilated by my doctor because I was stupid. I'm sure you will be smarter.
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Hi I have chosen to do a feature story assignment on
labia surgery for one of my modules. I am currently in my second year of
university at Middlesex university studying advertising public relations and media.
I am very interested in this topic and would like to get deeper insight into
why females go through this surgery as it has been argued that the increase in
labia surgery is primarily down to celebrity culture , pontification of modern
culture (young people being exposed to porn) or psychological problems ( on
medication or depressed) .
***this post is edited by moderator *** *** web addresses not allowed***
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Listenup,
Thank you for sharing your experience.
You provide some very good points and insight when considering this procedure...How are You?
Thank you for sharing your experience.
You provide some very good points and insight when considering this procedure...How are You?
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