Labiaplasty in Colorado Springs, CO

Vanguard Women’s Intimate Wellness offers labiaplasty, which is an elective surgery to improve the appearance of the labia.

What Is the Labia?

A woman’s genitals are surrounded by two sets of tissue: The larger outer lips, which are the labia majora, and the smaller inner lips, which are the labia minora. The purpose of the labia is to protect the urinary and vaginal openings as well as the clitoris.

Why Do Women Have a Labiaplasty?

All women are unique, and there is no medical standard for how the labia should look. The size and shape of the labia, however, may motivate women to have a labiaplasty for cosmetic reasons or to increase comfort.

Reasons women seek a labiaplasty include the following:

• Discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Irritation from the labia rubbing on clothing, especially during movement
• Discomfort during exercise or physical activity
• Unwanted bulge when wearing bathing suits, leotards, or other close-fitting athletic clothing
• Desire for the labia to appear smaller or more symmetrical

Women of all ages may seek a labiaplasty. Some women have larger, asymmetrical, or elongated labia due to genetic reasons. Other women may have experienced labia stretch, laxity, or enlargement due to childbirth, hormonal changes, weight gain/loss, or the normal aging process.

Just as with the face and other areas of the body, time and gravity can lead wrinkling of the skin as well as the loss of dermal collagen and the subcutaneous fat in this area. At this loss of tone and volume in the labia majora, women may see discordant size with the labia minora.

What Is Involved in a Labiaplasty?

A labiaplasty is a surgical procedure in which a doctor removes excess tissue and skin in and around the labia. This procedure can make the labia appear smaller and more symmetrical. It also reduces discomfort associated with excess or enlarged tissue.

A labiaplasty typically takes place in an office setting under mild sedation and local anesthesia.

Dr. Mikaelian numbs patients prior to performing a labiaplasty by using the dermoelectroporation (DEP) device. This is the latest technology to deliver numbing medication to sensitive areas effectively and painlessly.

Dr. Mikaelian performs labiaplasty with the Ellman Surgitron, which is a precise surgical instrument that uses a cool tip to minimize or avoid damage to the tissues. By using the Ellman Surgitron rather than a scalpel, she is able to make tiny incisions that minimize trauma to the area. This improves healing while also providing the best results.

Dr. Mikaelian is focused on providing an excellent cosmetic result, so she creates a crescent shaped incision that is hidden in the crease, as opposed to older techniques.

Dr. Mikaelian does not employ the “wedge resection” technique, which is popular among plastic surgeons, because that can cause up to a 20% chance of wound breakdown.

Following surgery, patients should plan to rest for approximately one week before returning to work, including 3-4 days of bed rest. Exercise should be avoided for two weeks, and vaginal intercourse and tampons should be avoided for six weeks.

What Procedures Can Be Performed with Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty can be performed alone or can be paired with other surgical procedures, including:

• Vaginoplasty to repair the vaginal opening and canal
• Perineoplasty to address the entire exterior appearance
• Clitoral hood reduction to ensure a balanced appearance to the entire vulvovaginal area
• Labia majora augmentation to provide a fuller, more symmetric look

Does Insurance Cover Labiaplasty Surgery?

Insurance companies cover services that are “medically necessary,” but cosmetic surgery is typically done to improve the appearance of normal structures. Because the labia can be a variety of sizes and shapes, insurance companies consider labiaplasty to be a cosmetic procedure.

What Is the Cost for Vaginal Rejuvenation?

The cost of labiaplasty depends on the extent of the procedure, and whether other treatments are paired with it. Many women will benefit from having several different treatments during the same procedure, so Vanguard Women’s Intimate Wellness applies a discount when multiple treatments are combined into one overall procedure.

Dr. Mikaelian performs a majority of labiaplasty surgeries in a private, in-office suite. This reduces costs associated with surgery centers while providing a discreet and comfortable environment for the patient. Each patient will receive a price quote as part of their consultation.