You can divide your plastic surgery experience into three distinct parts. There’s the time before surgery, such as labiaplasty, when you are learning about the procedure and what you need to do to prepare for it. There’s the surgery itself. And then there’s the recovery period.
After labiaplasty, you most likely have a lot of questions about what you can expect, how to care for the area and how long you’ll need to be out of commission. Your plastic surgeon can provide more detailed answers to your labiaplasty recovery questions during a consultation, but for now, here are a few basic answers to help you as you plan for surgery.
Will Recovery After Labiaplasty Be Uncomfortable?
It’s not uncommon for women to feel some discomfort in the surgical area after labiaplasty. Swelling and bruising are also common. Fortunately, there are ways to manage and minimize discomfort after surgery. Your plastic surgeon can prescribe medications to manage any pain. You can also use cold compresses to relieve swelling.
Some women experience discomfort when urinating after labiaplasty. If that is the case for you, running warm water over the area as you pee can help to relieve the discomfort.
How Long Will You Need to Take Off for Recovery After Labiaplasty?
Some women feel comfortable going back to work the day after labiaplasty. If you feel that you need a bit more time to recuperate, you might take between two and five days off from work. Rarely do people need a full one or two weeks off.
Although the initial recovery from labiaplasty can be quick, keep in mind that you’ll still want to hold off on certain activities until you get the all-clear from your doctor. Strenuous activities, such as exercise, should be delayed for at least four weeks.
How Should You Care for the Area as it Heals?
Your plastic surgeon will use dissolvable sutures during the surgery, so you will not have to return to have stitches removed. When caring for the area, it’s important to be as gentle as possible. You can spray it with warm water to help keep it clean and should avoid using any harsh soaps or body washes (as you should normally).
To keep friction in the area to a minimum, choose underwear that has a loose fit as you recover from the surgery. You might also want to wear loose-fitting clothing, such as skirts rather than tight pants or shorts.
Some women do have some bleeding or spotting as the incisions heal. If that’s the case, it can be a good idea to wear a pantiliner or pad. If you get your period after your surgery, hold off on using tampons until you get the go-ahead from your plastic surgeon.
If you’re concerned about infections, your plastic surgeon might recommend applying an antibacterial ointment or treatment to the area.
What Activities Can You Do After Labiaplasty?
Although you want to take it easy after your surgery, you don’t want to be a couch potato. Some movement and activity are essential to help you feel better and heal more quickly. Your surgeon might recommend taking a daily walk to help improve blood circulation and to keep your muscles in shape.
One thing to remember when choosing light activities to do after labiaplasty is to pick options that won’t put pressure on the area.
Will There Be a Scar?
The location of the incisions during labiaplasty and the location of the labia themselves means that any scars won’t be visible to others as you go about your day-to-day life. There will be some scars, but the natural folds and wrinkles of the labia make it easy for them to blend in. In intimate situations, your partner will most likely not be able to see any scarring.
How Long Should You Wait Before Having Sex After Labiaplasty?
While you can usually resume most activities within a month or so after labiaplasty, sexual intercourse is a different story. It’s the last thing you’ll want to resume after your surgery. Your surgeon might advise waiting up to eight weeks before you have sex again.
How Often Should You See Your Plastic Surgeon for Follow-up?
Your plastic surgeon will want to see you at least once after your labiaplasty to check in on how the healing is going and to answer any additional questions you might have. How many follow-up appointments you need depends on a variety of factors. You might schedule an initial follow-up with your surgeon a few days or a week after surgery, then another one several weeks later.
Even if you don’t have an appointment scheduled with your plastic surgeon, you should feel free to reach out and contact them with any questions you have or any concerns that come up after the surgery.
Allowing enough time for recovery and making sure you’ll be able to follow all post-surgical instructions given by your plastic surgeon is essential for the success of your labiaplasty. During your consultation with Dr. Paul Vitenas in Houston, Texas, he’s happy to answer your questions and give you a more detailed idea of what to expect during recovery from labiaplasty. To schedule your consultation, call 281-484-0088 or request a virtual consultation.
