Labiaplasty Sunshine Coast

Labiaplasty is a surgery designed to change the shape of the labia in a woman’s intimate region. The shape and size of the labia minora, labia majora, clitoral hood or mons pubis can cause physical discomfort while wearing clothes, or during sexual intercourse. Dr Fraser-Kirk is a labiaplasty specialist on the Sunshine Coast who can reduce the size or modify the shape of these areas, restoring comfort and symmetry. A consultation with Dr Fraser-Kirk will help you decide if this is the right treatment option for you.

What are the reasons to undergo labiaplasty?

The decision to undergo this procedure is highly personal. Therefore, each patient will have their own reasons for deciding on a surgical change to their labia. Women may seek this procedure for either aesthetic reasons, comfort reasons, or both. While for some, large or misshapen labia can cause comfort issues and pain, others may feel that it impacts their self-esteem and body confidence.

The common reasons that patients may choose to have a labiaplasty include:

• Discomfort or pain when wearing clothing, such as underwear, tight jeans or pants, and swimwear
• Discomfort or pain when sitting down due to pressure on a larger labia minora or labia majora
• Self-consciousness or discomfort during sexual activity due to certain larger or longer labia

These issues can cause women daily distress, leading them to seek a reliable solution. Dr Fraser-Kirk performs labiaplasty surgery for patients who have large, prominent, or otherwise misshapen labia to help women regain comfort and improve function.

Consultation

Before your procedure, you will need to have a meeting with Dr Fraser-Kirk to discuss your concerns and reasons for wanting surgery. During your consultation with Dr Fraser-Kirk, he will ask you questions to assess whether you are suitable for surgery. This may involve discussing your medical past, smoking status, and any health issues that may impact your surgery.

Suitable candidates can include patients who:

• Have aesthetic or functional concerns with the labia
• Are physically and mentally healthy
• Do not smoke
• Are at least 18 years of age
• Have a realistic vision for the outcomes of surgery

Therefore, if you are healthy, a non-smoker, and have concerns about large or uncomfortable labia, this could be a good option for you. At your private meeting, you will be able to outline your reasons for seeking surgery and what results you hope to attain. Dr Fraser-Kirk will then design a treatment plan that caters to your personal needs and goals and give you guidance on how to prepare and what to expect. You will also be able to ask any questions and ensure you are comfortable moving forward with your procedure.

How is a labiaplasty procedure performed?

The exact techniques of labiaplasty surgery will be different for each patient, since each patient will have their own concerns they wish to address. Dr Fraser-Kirk will approach the surgery based on the factors you spoke about during your meeting in order to achieve tailored results.

Dr Fraser-Kirk always performs the procedure under general anaesthetic. It usually takes around an hour to complete. For procedures aimed at reducing the size or altering the shape of the labia minora, there are two pain types:

• The trim method: This method involves trimming the edge of the labia minora to remove excess tissue. Dr Fraser-Kirk aims to shape the labia to become even with the labia majora.
• The wedge method: This technique involves removing a V-shaped “wedge” of tissue from both sides of labia minora. Your surgeon then pulls the sides of the tissue together and sutures them together, creating a smaller shape. This technique places the scar away from the edge of the labia.

Both methods can yield great results, based on the patient and their desired results. Once Dr Fraser-Kirk has made the required incisions and removed the excess tissue, he closes the wounds carefully with dissolving sutures.

Although many labiaplasty surgeries involve reducing the labia minora (inner skin folds), this is not always the case. The surgery can also augment the labia. This can involve taking small amounts of fat from other regions of the body and using these grafts to enlarge the labia. As well as this, some patients’ surgeries may also involve changing the shape or size of the labia majora (outer skin folds). This means either removing excess skin to reduce the size or using fat injections to increase the size. If the size of the clitoral hood needs to be reduced, this may involve removing larger skin folds over the clitoris.

For some patients, the size of the mons pubis may need to be altered. In this case, Dr Fraser-Kirk removes excess fat from the area by using liposuction or performing a pubic reduction. During your first meeting, Dr Fraser-Kirk can decide on the right procedure steps to include in your surgery. This way, you can achieve a great outcome that suits your body and goals.

What steps should I follow during my recovery?

After your procedure, you can expect some pain and discomfort in the operated area. Swelling is also normal and will subside as your body heals. The worst of the swelling should subside within the first two weeks, and we can help you manage pain with prescribed painkillers. Due to the fact that the surgery is performed in a very intimate area, it is important to take care of your body and get plenty of rest. You should be sure to follow Dr Fraser-Kirk’s post-op care advice, which can include guidance such as:

• Take some time off from work for about four weeks
• Avoid exercise, heavy lifting, and sexual activity for four to six weeks
• Avoid swimming pools, bathtubs, and spas
• Manage swelling by gently applying a cold compress
• Manage pain with prescribed medication, if needed
• Wear loose, breathable underwear
• Keep the area clean as instructed
• Apply a lubricant to prevent itching or scabbing
• Do not use tampons until the area has fully healed
• Attend post-op check-ups to ensure that you are healing well

Timelines can differ from patient to patient. In order to give your body the best chance at a quick recovery, you should speak to Dr Fraser-Kirk before resuming your exercise routines. It is also a good idea to stay generally healthy. This means keeping a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and refraining from smoking.

Swelling may take four to six months to fully subside. After this point, you will start to see the full results of your procedure. Your recovery guidance will be tailored to your health and the details of your procedure and will help reduce risks.

How much does a labiaplasty cost on the Sunshine Coast?

Since the procedure details will vary from patient to patient, each patient will have different procedure costs. After your first meeting, Dr Fraser-Kirk can provide you with a customised quote. This will be based on the anaesthesia fees, surgeon fees, hospital fees, and post-op care costs. As well as this, the extent of your surgery and which techniques your surgeon applies can impact your total cost. More complex techniques can lead to a higher surgeon fee, and if you combine your procedure with clitoral hood reduction, this can also increase the overall cost.

Medicare does not cover procedures that people undergo for cosmetic reasons. This means if you are seeking surgery because you are not happy with the look of your labia, Medicare will not cover the procedure. However, if your surgery is required for health reasons, as deemed by a professional, you may be eligible to claim a rebate.

It is important to meet with a trained surgeon like Dr Fraser-Kirk who will assess your health and needs to create a suitable treatment plan and discuss costs in more detail. If you have further questions about the procedure costs, please contact us.

What are the risks and complications of labiaplasty?

In order to be well-informed, you should be aware of the risks before going into your procedure. The risks and complications can include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Numbness
• Bleeding
• Dryness
• Asymmetry
• Sensation changes
• Scarring
• Haematoma
• Under correction or over correction of concerns

You will need to monitor your health through the course of your recovery. Report any concerning symptoms to Dr Fraser-Kirk as soon as possible. We can address certain post-op issues with the right medical care, and for some patients, a revision may be required. Adhering to your surgeon’s guidance will help you reduce your risks as much as possible.

How to choose the best labiaplasty specialist on the Sunshine Coast?

Surgery in this intimate area is a very personal decision. When planning your procedure, it is worth doing your research and finding a surgeon who will design a plan based on your needs and concerns.

Dr Fraser-Kirk is a labiaplasty specialist who will guide you through each step of the process, helping you attain the best possible outcome. At our Sunshine Coast clinic, we prioritise our patients and their needs, imparting all the knowledge and guidance they need to have a good experience and improve their body confidence and comfort. Book your appointment to learn more about this procedure and whether it is right for you.

Labiaplasty FAQs