Labiaplasty FAQ: Your Questions Answered

These are the questions women ask Dr Reema Hadi most often about labiaplasty, answered plainly. Each answer links to a detailed guide if you want to read more.

Labia vary widely and almost all are normal. Surgery is a personal choice, results vary, and every operation carries risks. Please read our risks guide before you decide.

Before surgery

Are my labia normal?

Almost certainly. Labia come in many shapes and lengths, and one side is often longer than the other. In Dr Hadi's experience, about half of women have labia that are longer in one area and about 3 in 10 have labia that are longer over a wider area. See what is normal.

Who can have labiaplasty?

You must be 18 or older, in reasonable health, and making the decision for yourself. Smokers need to stop for 6 weeks before and after surgery. Dr Hadi will also talk with you about what surgery can and cannot change. In rare circumstances, labiaplasty can be performed in younger patients, but a psychologist clearance is needed with a 3 month cooling off period. See am I a candidate?

Is labiaplasty only cosmetic?

Not always. Many women seek it because long labia rub in clothing, pinch during exercise or cycling, or make hygiene harder, and some for appearance. Both are valid reasons, but Medicare covers only specific functional cases. See deciding on labiaplasty.

Do I need a referral?

Yes. Under the Medical Board's rules for cosmetic surgery, you need a referral from your GP or another specialist before your first appointment. Your GP can also talk through your reasons with you and suggest non-surgical options. See your consultation.

How many appointments do I need before surgery?

Two consultations are needed from Dr Hadi and a health care professional. The second is at no extra charge. At least one must be in person. A cooling-off period of at least 7 days is needed before surgery can be booked. See your consultation.

Who will look after me?

Dr Reema Hadi, a specialist plastic surgeon, with an all-female team. You see Dr Hadi at the consultation and at your check-ups after surgery. See choosing a labiaplasty surgeon.

How do I prepare?

Stop smoking 6 weeks before surgery. Stop blood thinners and anti-platelet medicines 2 weeks before unless Dr Hadi tells you otherwise, and check the list of over-the-counter medicines you are given. Shower with antibacterial soap the night before or that morning, fast for at least 6 hours, and arrange a driver and someone to stay with you for 24 hours. See anaesthesia and surgery day.

The surgery

What techniques are used?

The main ones are the wedge (also called butterfly), the trim and de-epithelialisation. Dr Hadi uses the wedge or butterfly most often, because it keeps the natural edge, colour and glands and places the scar away from the edge. It also avoids cutting the nerves. It is a well established and published techniques and has been used at the Swan Clinic by Dr Hadi for the last 10 years. The right choice depends on your shape. See labiaplasty techniques.

How small can my labia be made?

Dr Hadi reduces the labia as far as is safe without exposing the clitoris, which must stay covered. Removing too much can cause tightness, dryness and rubbing, and is hard to fix. She will explain what is appropriate for your anatomy. See labiaplasty techniques.

Will I be asleep?

You can have a general anaesthetic (asleep) or a sedation (twighlight), depending on your preference and the procedure. Either way it is day surgery and you go home the same day. See anaesthesia and surgery day. In both techniques an anaesthetist and anaesthetic nurse will be present for your comfort. Dr Hadi is assisted by her scrub/scout nurses as per Day surgery rules.

How long does the operation take?

Usually about one hour, at an accredited day-surgery facility, however it will take 2.5-3 hours including check in and recovery times. The procedure is performed at the Swan Day surgery or at Kareena private hospital. Both are NSW health accredited facilities. The incision is closed in layers with dissolvable stitches. The internal sutures take 6-8 weeks and the external sutures dissolve in 1-2 weeks. You go home with antibiotic tablets, pain relief and our after hours number.

Can the clitoral hood be reduced at the same time?

Often, yes. The sides of the hood can be reduced as an extension of labiaplasty (lateral hoodectomy), or a long hood can be shortened at its upper end (superior hoodectomy). How much can be removed depends on where your clitoris sits. See clitoral hood reduction.

Recovery

How long is recovery?

Plan on about 1 week off physical work, and wear a pad for about a week for any ooze. Swelling and bruising can last several weeks. Everyone heals differently. See the recovery guide.

Does labiaplasty hurt?

You will be sore, especially in the first days. Ice wrapped in a tea towel, the pain relief you go home with, loose clothing and a soft cushion help. Pain that gets worse rather than better needs a call to us. See the recovery guide.

When can I have sex or use tampons?

After 6 weeks, for sex, tampons and menstrual cups. This lets the stitches heal without being disrupted. Start gently and use a lubricant. See exercise and sex after labiaplasty.

When can I exercise?

Light exercise such as walking from about 2 weeks, and heavier exercise from about 4 weeks. Cycling and horse riding put pressure on the area, so ask Dr Hadi when to restart them. See exercise and sex after labiaplasty.

When can I drive?

When you can sit and brake comfortably, which is usually at least 1 week. You cannot drive yourself home on the day of surgery. See the recovery guide.

Cost and Medicare

How much does labiaplasty cost?

It depends on which procedures you have, the type of anaesthetic, the day-surgery fee and the anaesthetist's fee. You receive a written, itemised quote after your first consultation ($6500 for labiaplasty all inclusive. The cost will be more if performed at another facility or additional procedures area added. The consultation fee is ($300). See labiaplasty cost.

Does Medicare cover labiaplasty?

Not for appearance alone. Medicare item 35534 may apply if you are 18 or older, your labia extend more than 8 cm below the vaginal opening when standing, and they cause significant functional problems. Dr Hadi assesses this at your consultation. If an item applies, private health insurance may cover hospital costs. See labiaplasty and Medicare.

Do you offer payment plans?

No. The Swan Clinic does not offer payment plans or finance for cosmetic surgery. Some people ask about early release of superannuation; that is decided by the government, not the clinic, and we suggest independent financial advice before considering it. See labiaplasty cost.

Results and risks

Does labiaplasty reduce sensation?

Not using our technique. Temporary numbness or oversensitivity is common while healing and usually settles; occasionally a change is permanent. Labiaplasty is not done to improve sexual function, and does not change it. See risks and sensation.

Will people be able to tell?

Day to day, other people are unlikely to know unless you tell them. Up close, a partner or doctor may notice a scar or a colour difference, especially in the first months. With the wedge technique the scar sits away from the edge, and colour differences usually blend over time, but results vary. See swelling and scars.

What are the main risks?

Wound separation, fenestration bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, altered sensation, pain with sex, anaesthetic risks and needing further surgery, thrush from the antibiotics. Each risk, and how it is reduced, is explained in our risks guide. In our clinic these risks are extremely rare and include three patients out of 1200 in the last ten years.

Can I have a baby after labiaplasty?

Yes. Labiaplasty does not stop you having a vaginal birth. The tissue can stretch during birth, and occasionally a small touch-up is needed later, although we have not seen this in our clinic. See labiaplasty and childbirth.

What if I am unhappy with the result?

Tell Dr Hadi. Some concerns settle as swelling goes down over months, which is why results are judged most accurately at the 12 months mark. If a problem remains, a revision may be discussed. See revision labiaplasty. We recommend no revisions for 12 months.

Still have a question? Read the labiaplasty overview or contact us on 02 9526 6885.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare cover labiaplasty?

Not for appearance alone. Medicare item 35534 may apply if you are 18 or older, your labia extend more than 8 cm below the vaginal opening when standing, and they cause significant functional problems. Dr Hadi assesses this at your consultation.

How much does labiaplasty cost in Sydney?

It depends on the procedures, the anaesthetic, the day-surgery fee and the anaesthetist's fee. You receive a written, itemised quote after your first consultation. Cost of labiaplasty all inclusive at the Swan Clinic is $6500. The costs may vary if performed at another facility. The cost of consultation is $300.

How long is labiaplasty recovery?

Plan on about 1 week off physical work. Light exercise is usually fine from 2 weeks, heavier exercise from 4 weeks, and sex from 6 weeks. Swelling can last several weeks. The final result will take up to a year.

When can I have sex after labiaplasty?

After 6 weeks, so the stitches heal without being disrupted. The same applies to tampons and menstrual cups.

Does labiaplasty reduce sensation?

Temporary numbness or oversensitivity is common while healing and usually settles. Long term changes are not seen in our clinic so far. Labiaplasty is not done to improve sexual function, and for most women it does not change it.

Does labiaplasty hurt?

You will be sore, especially in the first days. Ice, prescribed pain relief, loose clothing and a soft cushion help. Call us if pain gets worse rather than better.

Are my labia normal?

Almost certainly. Labia vary widely in shape and length, and one side is often longer than the other. Surgery is a personal choice, not a correction of something abnormal.

Will people be able to tell I have had labiaplasty?

Day to day, other people are unlikely to know unless you tell them. Up close, a partner or doctor may notice a scar or colour difference, especially early on. Results vary.