Dr. Diehl has performed hundreds of labiaplasty procedures with patients not only from the Raleigh Durham area, but all over North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia who want the best possible outcome from vaginal rejuvenation procedures and treatments. Vaginal Rejuvenation is a specialty of Dr. Diehl’s and she takes great pride in providing the best advice to educate patients about Mons Liposuction, ThermiVa®, CO2RE Intima® and O-Shot®, the other vaginal rejuvenation options available in our office.
Cynthia L. Diehl, MD, FACS
Enlarged Labia
Although it’s not often talked about, enlarged labia is a condition that many women face.
The labia minora (inner labia) can be elongated or asymmetrical due to childbirth, hormones, aging, or simply genetics.
While many women are dissatisfied with the appearance of their enlarged labia, it’s not just about aesthetics. More commonly, women are bothered by the physical discomfort associated with this condition.
Benefits of Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty offers a permanent solution to the emotional and physical symptoms caused by excess labial tissue.
Women considering labiaplasty can expect to enjoy the following benefits from this procedure:
- Reduction of pinching and chafing during daily activities and exercise
- Decreased social anxiety that could increase sexual enjoyment
- Less moisture retention and associated discomfort
- Freedom to wear more swimsuit styles and clothing options
- Increased confidence and self-esteem
Labiaplasty - Recovery
Highly Comfortable Labiaplasty with the Use of Pro-Nox Sedation
Pro-Nox can be used virtually any time a patient is concerned about physical or emotional discomfort during their procedure. The short half-life of this sedation system is perfect for use during shorter procedures, such as labiaplasty. The compounds within Pro-Nox, an inhaled sedative, are powerful enough to eliminate pain and anxiety, but gentle enough to leave the patient’s body without causing lasting fatigue.
The sedative medication clears from the body within about ten minutes (after cessation of use), leaving the patient free to resume their normal activities. Pro-Nox is not habit forming, and it often reduces the need for oral pain medication. Studies have shown that nitrous oxide is free of long-term effects when used in a safe clinical setting. In-office time is also reduced; patients do not have to wait in a recovery room for an extended time before they can safely stand and walk.
What Makes Labiaplasty Surgery Comfortable?
- Only a local anesthetic is needed.
- Sutures placed are dissolvable: there’s no need for a follow-up visit to have them removed.
- Some soreness is expected after treatment, but patients find the procedure and recovery process to be easily tolerated.
- Recovery does not require interruption of your daily life.
- Post-procedure medication is provided, but patients often do not need it after day two or three of recovery.
View Labiaplasty Before & After Photos
Your Consultation
Dr. Cynthia Diehl understands that having enlarged labia can be a source of embarrassment for patients, which is why she holds comforting, educational consultations where patients can feel at ease.
Your personal consultation with Dr. Diehl will give you a chance to have all of your questions or concerns about labiaplasty answered in a no-pressure atmosphere. She will take the time to listen to your needs, evaluate your candidacy for this procedure, and educate you about what it entails.
If you decide to take the next step, you will be provided with a completely customized treatment plan that is tailored to your cosmetic goals. There are several techniques for labiaplasty, and Dr. Diehl will evaluate which one is best for you.
What to Expect from Labiaplasty
For optimal safety and convenience, Dr. Diehl typically performs labiaplasty under local anesthesia. If you prefer, your procedure can be performed under general anesthesia in Diehl Plastic Surgery’s on-site operating room. The entire procedure usually takes approximately one hour, making it a convenient surgery for even busy schedules.
Labiaplasty is most commonly performed using either of the following techniques:
With the trim technique, excess tissue will be removed along the entire length of the inner labia. This method effectively reduces redundant tissue, and it also addresses hyperpigmentation (darkened skin) that is often present on the edges of excess labia minora tissue. Patients are drawn to this technique for its effectiveness and natural-looking results, and also because it tends to produce a quicker recovery time. Once healed, the resultant scar is generally imperceptible. Dissolvable sutures are used with the trim technique, so they do not have to be removed at a later date.
Another popular option for labiaplasty is the wedge technique. During this procedure, a V-shaped wedge of tissue is removed from the inner labia. The surrounding portions are then stitched together, which neatly brings the labia minora together for a tidy appearance. This method produces a natural cosmetic result, but because it keeps the original labia edges, any hyperpigmentation present or irregular edges can’t be addressed. The resultant scar is well hidden, and dissolvable sutures can also be used with this method.
Performing Labiaplasty Surgery
ON A FLOWER.
Dr. Diehl specializes in feminine and vaginal rejuvenation treatments and procedures. In this video she uses a ‘flower’ power patient to demonstrate and talk about who makes a good candidate for the procedure, how the surgery is performed, anesthesia, recovery, and more.
FAQs About Labiaplasty
After surgery, you can expect to have mild discomfort and swelling. In most cases, these temporary symptoms will subside in 1-2 weeks. In the days following your labiaplasty, you should use Neosporin or Polysporin on your incisions and ice the area as much as possible.
Most patients can return to work and regular activities in 3 days, but strenuous exercise and sexual activity should be avoided for 4 weeks. You should also avoid wearing tight clothing until your incisions have fully healed.
The inner vaginal lips come in different shapes and sizes, so having enlarged labia minora is not necessarily abnormal. However, in some patients, it may cause emotional and physical discomfort. So ultimately, the decision to undergo labiaplasty is personal. If you feel social anxiety or physical irritation caused by enlarged labia, then it might be time to consider the benefits of labiaplasty. Women seeking labiaplasty in Raleigh typically have excess labia tissue or asymmetrical labia due to hormonal fluctuations, pregnancy, aging, or genetics.
Labial incisions rarely result in noticeable scarring, and Dr. Diehl is careful to make incisions as meticulously as possible.
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Vaginal rejuvenation typically refers to non-surgical treatments like ThermiVa®, which produces internal and external tightening, reduces stress urinary incontinence, decreases painful atrophy, and improves sexual function. Labiaplasty is specifically the surgical reduction of labia tissue.
Contact Diehl Plastic Surgery at (919) 381-5540 to schedule a consultation for labiaplasty in Raleigh.
*Individual results may vary.
Meet Dr. Diehl
Dr. Diehl is driven by the desire to better the lives of her patients. Dr. Diehl is one of the few female and Spanish-speaking plastic surgeons in Raleigh. She is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and was previously certified by the American Board of Surgery. Dr. Diehl is trained in cosmetic facial, breast, and body procedures, including SmartLipo MPX, an FDA approved laser liposuction technology. She also provides non-surgical cosmetic treatments including CoolSculpting®, Thermi®, miraDry®, and injectables to patients in Raleigh and the surrounding area.
