Labioplasty by female plastic surgeon in seattle

Procedure Illustrations

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Labioplasty according to Seattle Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Lisa Lynn Sowder

Quick facts:

• Costs: $3000 – $3600 depending on how long the surgery takes.
• Post-operative pain: moderate. 
• Time off work or school:  3 days – 1 week depending on occupation.
• Time off driving the kids to lacrosse:  3 days – 1  week or once you are off narcotic pain meds.
• Time off the gym:  2 – 3 weeks.
• Time off sexual intercourse: 3 weeks.
• Time off the slopes:  3  weeks.
• Time off the kite board: 4 weeks.
• Time off house work:  forever!   Just kidding, usually 1 week.
• How long does it last:  forever unless you have a baby and deliver vaginally.
• Patient satisfaction:   high.

The fine print:

This is a procedure that trims the labia minor around the vagina. The demand for this procedure has increased in recent years as women have become more informed of the possibility of trimming this area. Most women who elect to undergo labioplasty have discomfort and irritation because of their labia or are embarrassed at how the labia look with tight or no clothing. In Seattle, many of the ladies I see for this procedure are very avid runners or bikers and are bothered by their elongated labia.

Some women are born with excessively prominent labia minora, others develop this condition at puberty and others find that childbearing results in enlargement. Major asymmetry can also cause concern and/or discomfort.  Minor asymmetry is normal both before and after surgery.

The extent and technique of labioplasty is determined by the patient’s anatomy and desire. The appearance of this area is highly variable and it is important for patients to have realistic expectations. It is not possible to make a middle aged woman’s genitalia look like a teenager’s! Now that I think about it, this holds true for just about everything I do.

Labioplasty is an outpatient procedure. It is done under a general anesthetic in my AAAASF certified Seattle operating room or at Seattle Surgery Center which is located next door to my office building. The stitches that are used dissolve after a week or so. Most patients take 3 or 4 days off of work. It is very important to spend a couple of days reclining with an ice pack on the operative site. Intercourse can usually be resumed 3 weeks after surgery. Healing is usually quite rapid in this area.