Labiaplasty IN LA JOLLA AND NEWPORT BEACH | TIM SAYED MD
It’s a sensitive subject, but it’s one we understand very well.
Vaginal rejuvenation has become a popular option for women seeking to restore a more youthful appearance to the female genitalia, as well as for those who have had relaxation of the musculature and supporting tissues of the vaginal vault. Cosmetic rejuvenation is common in women who have had multiple natural child deliveries, but it can also be an option for women who have never been pregnant. Some women have particularly redundant tissue in the labia minora, an excessive clitoral hood, or looseness of the vaginal structures in general. This can cause difficulty in the patient’s personal and romantic life; it can make it difficult to find properly fitting undergarments and can generally be a source of discomfort. Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS offers labiaplasty and clitoral hood reduction for women with excess tissues in the outer vaginal area, and he can work in tandem with other specialists who offer tightening of the internal vaginal vault.
Labiaplasty 101
Labiaplasty and clitoral hood reduction usually start with a careful anatomic examination to determine the extent of tissue redundancy in the labia minora, labia majora, clitoral hood (prepuce), and floor of the vaginal vault. We will then make appropriate recommendations. For many patients, treatment is a relatively straightforward removal of extra labia minora skin and mucosal lining, which can be done under light sedation or general anesthesia.
Some of the cosmetic procedures women consider include:
- Labiaplasty – reduction of loose and excessive labia minora tissues
- Clitoral hood resection/reduction – unroofing of extra tissue sitting over the clitoris, which can impair sensitivity
- Mons lift – treatment of descended mons pubis tissues (the triangle of tissue below the waistline and above the external genital tissues)
Vaginoplasty (generally referred out to gynecologic specialists at this time)
If you’re seeking a labiaplasty, we recognize the highly sensitive nature of this information and the clinical concerns you may have. Your private, professional consultation will include one or more female staff members working with Dr. Sayed to provide a safe, discreet and comfortable environment to discuss your questions and goals. We may be able to offer you surgical treatment or we may choose to refer you to another medical professional in our trusted network if you need something beyond the scope of what we offer.
Meet Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS
Double board-certified plastic surgeon | Breast Explant Expert
Dr. Tim Sayed and his staff believe that the commitment to undergoing cosmetic treatment is a momentous decision that needs to be approached with kindness and compassion, and this starts by offering a comprehensive, detailed consultation process with an emphasis on educating the patient about plastic surgery procedures and options. Dr. Sayed uses sophisticated drawing tools, the patient’s images, and anatomic education tools that he helped develop himself to inform the patient of every aspect of the procedure. Dr Sayed’s signature procedures include breast implant removal, breast lift and tummy tuck.
How Do I Know If I Am A Candidate for Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery in San Diego?
Some of our selection criteria to include you as a candidate include:
- Extra tissue on one or both of the labia minora, labia majora, clitoral hood, mons pubis, or floor of the vaginal vault
- Social embarrassment, pain, or other symptoms associated with tissue changes in the external genitalia
- General good health, meaning you do not have major uncorrected cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney or other major organ conditions, and would be able to be medically cleared for general anesthesia by an internal medicine physician if you are over a certain age
- Not pregnant or immediately planning to become pregnant
- Nonsmoker or willing to commit to NO NICOTINE IN ANY FORM for at least 3 weeks preop and for the duration of your recovery
- A body mass index below 35 and ideally below 30 for optimal results, with rare exceptions
- Available support system of friends, family, caregivers or others who can help you to keep your appointments, complete your preop and postop tasks for the labiaplasty, and emotionally support you through this exciting journey
- Reasonable expectations of how much improvement is possible with specific labiaplasty techniques
What Is Labiaplasty Recovery Like?
Most are performed on an outpatient basis in a AAAASF-certified operating room, meaning the facility is up to very high standards of accreditation. Simple procedures may also be performed in the office under light sedation combined with local anesthesia. After their vaginal rejuvenation procedure, patients usually spend up to a couple hours in the postoperative suite before being discharged into the care of a companion, family member or friend. Dr. Sayed gives a 24-hour phone number to all patients so that they can reach him for urgent questions, and we also issue access to a patient engagement application that allows the patient or companion/caregiver to send SMS messages, photos, video and other content to our team in a secure, private digital format. This keeps us mutually informed on your recovery and allows us to update your instructions while requiring a respectful number of face-to-face visits in the office.
Early postop recovery findings include vaginal discomfort, difficulty urinating, some blood in the urine, swelling, some numbness, and some mental adjustment to the process of healing which most patients undergo. Most patients are advised to take up to 2 weeks out of social circulation and we’d prefer that you not drive yourself in the first 14 days, or as long as you are still taking any prescription pain medication. You will be asked to avoid placing tampons, pessaries, or any other objects into the vagina. After a labiaplasty or any other vaginal rejuvenation procedure, it’s essential that you abstain from vaginal intercourse for a minimum of 4 weeks after surgery. Most sutures are dissolvable, but there may be a few that need to be removed at around 14 to 21 days postop.
We ask that you abstain from exercise for 4 weeks and then return to light fitness routines after that for the best outcome. It is very important that you do get up and walk even the first night following your procedure. You may need some special precautions when going to the bathroom. Dr. Sayed and his team provide close postop care in the office and with our remote engagement tools. You will be asked to take some supplement medications to aid in your recovery, which may include medications for pain, bruising, swelling, and dietary optimization.
Schedule Your Labiaplasty Consultation Today
Double board-certified plastic surgeon, Tim Sayed, MD, MBA,FACS, has helped countless women achieve the results and confidence they desire. Dr. Sayed and his expert team are committed to providing the best results and experience possible. To start your Labiaplasty journey in Newport Beach or San Diego, CA please call us at (858) 247-2933 or complete our online form.
Labiaplasty in Newport Beach FAQs
Most procedures take less than an hour to perform (some less than 30 minutes), and they’re performed under sedation or general anesthesia. Additional procedures like clitoral hood reduction or vaginal floor repair may add 30 to 60 minutes extra to the procedure. A mons lift is uncommonly performed as an isolated procedure; a mons lift is most commonly part of a lower body lift operation or extended tummy tuck, but occasionally it is performed by itself and takes about an hour.
Assuming the patient does not get pregnant or have vaginal childbirth after a labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, or vaginal floor repair is performed, the cosmetic and functional improvement is expected to last years, potentially up to menopause and sometimes beyond (depending on the timing of surgery and other factors). However, there is a small risk of change in sexual function that may occur and it is important to discuss the techniques and risks in detail with your surgeon before surgery. Most women have no long-term deleterious effects on their sexual health or vaginal function after a labiaplasty or other vaginal rejuvenation procedures.
- Have a reasonable expectation of what surgery can accomplish and be ready to talk frankly about your physical, cosmetic and intimacy concerns
- Don’t smoke or take nicotine in any form for at least 3 weeks (and ideally longer) before and after surgery
- Stay well rested and well hydrated, and eat a nutritious diet balanced with plenty of protein
- If your diet is lacking in vitamins, take vitamin C and zinc supplementation but ask Dr. Sayed about other supplements. We have a list of ingredients we ask you to avoid in the immediate preop phase to optimize healing and minimize bleeding risk.
- Designate a caretaker who can help you through the first 7-14 days after your procedure
- Lose weight to get to a target which we can set together based on your body mass index (BMI) – ideally, we’d like to help you get it below 30, but there is a reasonable range depending on other factors
It’s important that you wait at least a month before engaging in sexual activity after your vaginal rejuvenation. Dr. Sayed will counsel you regarding the right time to resume these activities as you heal.
To help ensure a successful recovery, it’s important to keep the treatment area clean during your recovery. There are a few ways that you maintain personal hygiene during your recovery:
- If you’re applying a cold compress, make sure there’s a layer of cloth protecting the tissue from the cold pack
- Avoid bathing immediately after the procedure
- Wash the region with mild soap and water in the shower
- Be extremely careful and gentle when washing the treated area and surrounding skin
- Make sure to keep your incisions dry
Insurance companies do not typically cover these procedures.
The duration of the swelling will depend on what procedure you undergo; for labiaplasty in particular, the majority of swelling will happen during the first few days of the recovery before dissipating. You should see a small degree of swelling over the next few weeks, but it should fade around six weeks.
It’s perfectly safe to have your treatment done during your period; however, it’s highly recommended that you talk to Dr. Sayed about whether it’s preferable to have your procedure done at another time.
We don’t like to publish pricing for our procedures, as it is subject to market changes and dependent on the types of procedures you consider. Review our Pricing page to build a “wishlist” and get estimated pricing on vaginal rejuvenation or a combination of procedures. We also have a fee schedule available in the office after your consultation. Feel free to contact us for a pre-consultation—we are happy to provide more information. The cost of your surgery will partly depend on where you have it, and whether the procedure needs to be coordinated with another specialist (like a gynecologist or urologist, in uncommon cases).
