Labiaplasty Recovery: Week by Week

After labiaplasty with Dr Reema Hadi, you usually take about a week off physical work, start light exercise from 2 weeks and return to sex from 6 weeks. This page sets out her recovery plan step by step, so you can get your home ready before surgery and know what each week should look like.

Everyone heals at their own pace. Dr Hadi may adjust this plan for you, and her advice for you always comes first.

Your recovery, week by week

This is the usual pattern after labiaplasty with Dr Hadi. Use it to plan time off work, help at home and your return to normal activities.

• Day of surgery: you go home the same day. Someone must drive you and stay with you for the first 24 hours. Rest at home and hold ice wrapped in a tea towel over the area in short sessions. Wear a pad to absorb any ooze, and start your antibiotics and pain relief as directed.
• Next day: check-up with Dr Hadi. Use the ice again in the morning. You can shower from today, and you start the toilet routine below: rinse with water, pat dry, apply Vaseline.
• Week 1: swelling and tenderness are usually most noticeable in the first few days. Keep wearing a pad, apply Vaseline about three times a day and finish your antibiotics. Sit on a soft cushion, avoid sitting for long periods and wear loose clothing. Move gently around the house, but no exercise yet.
• After about 1 week: return to physical work. Drive once you are comfortable, which is usually after at least a week. You usually need a pad for around a week, until the ooze stops.
• From 2 weeks: start light exercise, such as walking. Swelling and bruising are settling but can still be there for several weeks.
• From 4 weeks: heavier exercise, built up gradually. See exercise, sex and tampons after labiaplasty.
• From 6 weeks: sex, tampons and menstrual cups, once the stitches have healed.
• 3 months: check-up with Dr Hadi. Small amounts of swelling can linger and keep settling over the following months.
• 12 months: final check-up. Scars keep softening and fading through the first year.

Get these ready before surgery

Having everything at home before your operation means you can rest from the moment you get back.

• Soft, unscented pads (maternity pads are comfortable)
• A tub of Vaseline (plain petroleum jelly)
• Several pairs of loose cotton underwear, roomy enough to hold a pad without pressing
• Loose clothes: dresses, skirts, nighties or drawstring pants
• A soft cushion for sitting
• Ice packs or frozen peas, and clean tea towels to wrap them in
• A clean squeeze bottle or small jug for rinsing after the toilet
• Soft, clean towels for patting dry
• A thermometer, so you can check for a temperature
• Water and high-fibre food, to keep your bowels soft

What to wear after labiaplasty

Wear loose clothing that does not press on or rub the area. Comfort matters more than anything else in the first weeks.

• Clothes: dresses, skirts, nighties and loose cotton pants. Leave tight jeans, leggings and gym tights until the swelling and tenderness have settled.
• Underwear: soft cotton, full-brief styles that hold a pad in place. Avoid thongs, G-strings, lace and shapewear while you are swollen.
• Pads: wear a pad for around a week to absorb any ooze. Change it whenever it is damp, and use unscented pads only.
• Out and about: carry a spare pad, a small tub of Vaseline and a bottle of water for rinsing.

If your period starts during the first 6 weeks, use pads, not tampons or a menstrual cup.

The toilet and hygiene routine

Dr Hadi's routine is simple: after every visit to the toilet, rinse, pat dry and apply Vaseline.

1. Rinse. Pour or squeeze lukewarm water over the area. Some women find that pouring water while they wee eases the sting.
2. Pat dry. Gently pat with a clean, soft towel or tissue. Do not rub, and always wipe from front to back.
3. Apply Vaseline. Smooth a thin layer over the stitch lines.
4. Fresh pad. Put on a clean pad if you still have ooze.

Apply Vaseline about three times a day as well as after the toilet, for as long as Dr Hadi advises. You can shower from the day after surgery: let the water run over the area and pat dry. Avoid scented soaps, bubble bath, douches and wipes on the wound. Dr Hadi will advise when you can have a bath.

Weeing can sting for the first few days. Pain relief medicines can cause constipation, so drink plenty of water, eat high-fibre food and avoid straining. A pharmacist can suggest a gentle stool softener if you need one.

Pain relief

Expect mild to moderate discomfort for the first few days. You go home with pain relief tablets and antibiotics.

• Take your pain relief regularly as directed in the first few days, rather than waiting for pain to build.
• Use ice wrapped in a tea towel on the day and the next morning.
• Take the full course of antibiotics.
• Check with Dr Hadi before taking any other medicine, especially aspirin, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, or blood thinners.
• Avoid alcohol while you are recovering, and especially while you are taking pain relief.

Pain should ease a little each day. Pain that is getting worse is a reason to call us.

Sitting, sleeping and moving around

Sit on a soft cushion and avoid sitting for long periods in the first week. Get up and change position often.

Lying on your back or side is usually most comfortable, and a pillow between your knees can help. Move gently around the house from the first day, as staying a little active helps your circulation. Save walking for exercise until 2 weeks.

Going back to work

• Physical work (standing, lifting or walking a lot): plan about 1 week off.
• Desk work: because Dr Hadi advises avoiding long periods of sitting in the first week, plan to work from home with regular breaks, or take some days off.

Driving

You cannot drive yourself home, and you should not drive for at least 24 hours after an anaesthetic. After that, Dr Hadi's advice is to drive when you are comfortable, which is usually after at least a week.

Before your first drive, sit in the driver's seat and check you can press the brake hard and turn to look over your shoulder without pain. Do not drive while pain relief is making you drowsy. Start with short trips.

Exercise, sex and tampons

Light exercise such as walking is fine from 2 weeks, and heavier exercise from 4 weeks. Sex, tampons and menstrual cups wait until 6 weeks so the stitches are not disrupted. For each activity, including cycling, swimming and the gym, see exercise, sex and tampons after labiaplasty.

Swelling, bruising and scars

Swelling and bruising are normal and can last several weeks. Some women notice a colour difference along the join at first, which usually blends over time. Read labiaplasty swelling and scars: what's normal for what to expect and Dr Hadi's scar care routine.

Smoking

Do not smoke for at least 6 weeks after surgery, as well as the 6 weeks before. Smoking raises the risk of wound complications and slows healing.

When to call us

Call the clinic on 02 9526 6885, or Dr Hadi on the direct number she gives you, straight away if you have:

• a temperature above 38°C
• heavy bleeding
• pain, redness or swelling that is getting worse instead of better
• a discharge that smells unpleasant
• a wound that looks like it is opening
• trouble passing urine
• a painful, swollen calf or thigh

If you have shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000). If you cannot reach us and you are worried, go to your nearest emergency department.

All surgery carries risks, and results vary from person to person. Read about them in labiaplasty risks and complications, or call 02 9526 6885 to book a consultation with Dr Hadi.

Frequently asked questions

How long does labiaplasty recovery take?

On Dr Hadi's usual plan, you take about a week off physical work, return to light exercise from 2 weeks, heavier exercise from 4 weeks and sex from 6 weeks. Swelling can last several weeks, and the area keeps settling for months. Dr Hadi checks your healing the next day, at 3 months and at 12 months.

How long should I take off work after labiaplasty?

Plan about 1 week off for a physical job. For desk work, avoid long periods of sitting in the first week, so working from home with breaks or taking a few days off is sensible.

When can I drive after labiaplasty?

Not for at least 24 hours after the anaesthetic. After that, drive when you can sit, brake and turn comfortably, which is usually after at least a week.

Is labiaplasty recovery painful?

Expect mild to moderate discomfort for the first few days. Regular pain relief, ice on the day and the next morning, a soft cushion and loose clothing all help.

What should I wear after labiaplasty?

Loose clothing such as dresses, skirts or drawstring pants, soft cotton underwear and an unscented pad for about the first week. Avoid tight jeans, leggings and thongs while you are swollen.

Why does it sting when I wee after labiaplasty?

Urine can sting the healing stitch lines for the first few days. Pouring lukewarm water over the area while you wee, then rinsing, patting dry and applying Vaseline, helps. If you cannot pass urine at all, call us.

When do labiaplasty stitches dissolve?

Your wound is closed in layers with dissolvable stitches, so nothing needs to be removed. They break down on their own, and Dr Hadi will tell you what to expect for yours.