Labiaplasty in Medellín

Labiaplasty is surgery on the labia minora, the inner skin folds of the vulva. Many people search for it as “labia reduction,” “labioplasty” or “intimate surgery.” According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), it reduces the length of the labia minora and is the most common aesthetic genital surgery. Among the reasons patients ask for it, the ASPS lists pain when the labia twist or get pulled while riding a bike or during sex, itching, irritation and feeling uncomfortable with how they look.

The ASPS describes two common techniques. In the trim technique, the most common one, the extra tissue is removed and the edge is closed directly. In the wedge technique, a pie-shaped piece is removed and the natural edge of the labia is preserved. According to the ASPS, if there are also extra folds of the clitoral hood, they can be reduced in the same surgery. Which one makes sense for you depends on your anatomy, and it isn't something you pick from a catalog: your surgeon decides when they examine you at your consultation.

According to the ASPS, some patients use “vaginal rejuvenation” to mean a whole group of intimate surgeries. Labiaplasty is only one of them, and it works on the labia minora. If what bothers you is something else:

• If it's the labia majora, the outer lips, the ASPS describes a different procedure: labia majoraplasty.
• If your vagina feels looser after childbirth, labiaplasty doesn't correct that. For that, the ASPS describes vaginoplasty, which aims to tighten the vagina.
• If you also want to address your breasts and abdomen after having children, we can evaluate a mommy makeover. According to the ASPS, it can include labiaplasty; your surgeon decides whether adding it is right in your case.

At your consultation, we'll tell you what makes sense for you.

Every surgery has risks, and this one does too. The ASPS lists, among others:

• Bleeding, hematoma or infection.
• Removing too much tissue, the most common complication. It can lead to chronic dryness, scarring at or near the vaginal opening and pain during sex.
• Healing problems, which are more likely with the wedge technique, especially with exposure to substances that narrow the blood vessels.
• If the clitoral hood is also reduced, the ASPS adds nerve damage and the possibility of removing too little or too much tissue.

Before you decide, we go over each one with you, and you sign an informed consent form.

The surgery is done in Q2's licensed operating rooms, never in a doctor's office, and you need pre-op tests beforehand. At your consultation, tell your surgeon about your medical conditions, drug allergies and past surgeries, and everything you take, including vitamins and herbal supplements, as the ASPS recommends. Also tell them if you drink alcohol, smoke or vape.

According to the ASPS, smoking reduces blood flow and can make healing harder, and aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. Your specialist tells you what to stop and when; don't stop anything on your own. The step-by-step process is on our international patients page. Arrange for an adult to stay with you for the first few days.

The first week brings swelling and local wound care. According to the ASPS, using cold on and off, with the cold pack placed between your underwear and an elastic garment, can reduce swelling and pain, and lying down with your hips elevated also helps bring the swelling down. An article on the ASPS blog also recommends avoiding long showers, patting the area dry, not wearing tight clothes or underwear that rub against the incision, and not biking, running or doing other physical activity until your surgeon clears you. Your surgeon gives you the exact instructions, and we see you at follow-up visits until you're discharged.