Vulvovaginal Surgery – Labiaplasty, Vaginoplasty, Pelvic Surgery, Hymenoplasty

Vaginal Surgery in Colorado Springs, CO

There are multiple treatment options for women who seek vaginal rejuvenation. While some conditions can be successfully addressed with nonsurgical treatments, others warrant surgery to attain the optimal result.

Fortunately, labiaplasty and other vaginal surgeries are relatively simple procedures, and most can be performed in an office setting.

Vaginal surgery options that can improve the aesthetic appearance and functional issues include the following:

• Labiaplasty, including labia minora reduction and labia majoraplasty
• Perineoplasty
• Vaginoplasty
• Clitoral hood reduction
• Hymenoplasty

Dr. Susan Mikaelian has trained in the latest techniques for each of these procedures, so she can provide the ideal result.

Labiaplasty

A woman’s external genitals, the vulva, are surrounded by two sets of tissue. The larger outer lips are called the labia majora, and the smaller inner lips are called the labia minora. Labiaplasty addresses either or both of these areas by removing excess skin and tissue.

Women who have this procedure do so for cosmetic and/or comfort reasons. Childbirth, aging, weight loss, or genetics may cause the labia to droop or enlarge. This can cause discomfort or embarrassment during sexual intercourse, irritation from rubbing on clothing, or an unwanted bulge when wearing bathing suits or leotards.

During a labiaplasty, the doctor removes excess skin and also provides symmetry to the vulva. The physician will sculpt the labia to the ideal size and evenness.

Dr. Mikaelian does not use a technique with a “wedge resection” which is often used in plastic surgery, because that technique can have a 20% chance of wound breakdown. Instead, Dr. Mikaelian makes small, precise cuts to sculpt the labia.

Dr. Mikaelian’s approach is the latest in labiaplasty surgery, to promote faster healing and the best cosmetic result.

Find out more about Labiaplasty.

Perineoplasty

Perineoplasty addresses the perineum, which is the area between the vagina and the rectum. The most common reason a woman seeks this procedure is due to significant changes that occurred during childbirth.

Cuts or tears to the perineum are common during vaginal childbirth, and the tissue may not completely heal. Scar tissue or disfiguration is not uncommon, resulting in an enlarged vaginal opening, a tighter opening, and/or discomfort.

In a perineoplasty, the doctor addresses these issues in the perineum by removing excess skin and repairing the surrounding muscles. This can help correct either a small vaginal opening or a large gaping vaginal opening.

Perineoplasty is typically performed in conjunction with vaginoplasty, which actually addresses the entire vaginal canal. Perineoplasty can also be performed along with a labiaplasty to improve the overall aesthetics.

Perineoplasty is typically performed in-office and is a relatively quick procedure.

Vaginoplasty

Vaginoplasty is surgery to restore the vaginal contour. The procedure tightens the muscles of the pelvic floor and tissue of the vaginal area, in addition to those of the vaginal opening. It may also be referred to as “vaginal tightening” or “vaginal rejuvenation surgery.”

Often after childbirth and delivery, the vagina and the surrounding tissues become stretched, often not returning to the original diameter. This can even affect women who have not had children. Aging may also cause the vaginal canal and opening to become lax over time. With the stretching and weakening of the vagina and pelvic floor, women find that the vagina feels too relaxed. They may lose some of their support, vaginal muscle strength and control. This can result in a gaping vaginal opening, reduced sexual pleasure for both sexual partners, or trapped air in the vagina during intercourse.

Kegel exercises and pelvic floor physical therapy are recommended but these are not always successful in restoring vaginal tightness. In these instances, a vaginoplasty can restore this area.

Many doctors perform vaginoplasty by tightening the first few centimeters of the vaginal opening. However, this approach does not provide the full rejuvenation that most patients seek. As a gynecologist and vulvovaginal surgeon, Dr. Mikaelian not only addresses the vaginal opening but also the entire vaginal canal during vaginoplasty. Her goal is to tighten both the outer and inner muscles of the vagina, so that the entire structure and full length of the vagina is improved. The result is better muscle tone to improve sexual function and control.

This procedure can be performed either in a surgery center under general or spinal anesthesia, or in-office under mild sedation and local anesthesia. Dr. Mikaelian has been trained to perform this procedure in an office setting while maintaining patient comfort.

Clitoral Hood Reduction

Clitoral hood reduction is also referred to as hoodectomy or clitoropexy. This cosmetic procedure is performed to remove excess skin around the clitoris, which is the area above the vaginal opening that is intended to provide sexual pleasure in women.

A clitoral hood reduction does not address or touch the clitoris, but only addresses the skin that surrounds and covers the clitoris. Genetics and hormone levels can affect the appearance of the clitoral area. Patients seek a clitoral hood reduction if they feel that the excess skin makes the clitoris look enlarged or asymmetrical. The excess skin may also decrease sexual pleasure or cause discomfort in tight clothing.

A clitoral hood reduction may also be performed in conjunction with a labiaplasty in order to maintain a balanced aesthetic result.

Clitoral hood reduction is a simple procedure that takes place in the office under local anesthesia.

Hymenoplasty

Hymenoplasty is an elective gynecologic procedure to restore a woman's hymen. The hymen may be lacerated by intercourse, disease, tampon use, medical examination or physical exercise.

A woman may want to restore the torn hymen for cultural, religious or social reasons. Some women may seek this procedure to restore what was damaged during sexual assault; the surgery may be part of the healing after trauma.

Whatever the reason may be, Dr. Mikaelian provides discretion and honors a woman's choices.

DR. SUSAN MIKAELIAN’S UNIQUE SURGICAL APPROACH

Dr. Mikaelian is a vulvovaginal surgeon trained in the latest techniques for vulvovaginal surgery. She performs most of her procedures in an office setting with mild sedation and local anesthesia, so there is usually no need to go to a special surgery center. To administer the latest techniques, Dr. Mikaelian employs surgical tools which are designed for operating on the most sensitive areas.

Dr. Mikaelian uses the dermoelectroporation (DEP) device, which is the latest technology to deliver medications (e.g., numbing medication) to sensitive areas effectively. This allows her to numb patients painlessly without the use of a needle prior to the procedure.

Dr. Mikaelian operates with the Ellman Surgitron, a precise surgical instrument that uses a cool tip to minimize damage to the underlying sensitive tissue. By using the Ellman Surgitron instead of a scalpel, Dr. Mikaelian is able to make precise incisions that minimize trauma to the tissues. This not only improves healing, but it also provides the best cosmetic result.

Dr. Mikaelian’s goals are to:

• Improve patient comfort during procedures
• Protect underlying tissue to reduce pain and healing time
• Provide the latest and most precise technology
• Attain the best cosmetic outcome
• Help patients attain confidence in every area of their body