What is it?

Labiaplasty (also labioplasty) is a plastic surgery procedure for altering the labia minora and the labia majora, the paired tissue structures bounding the vestibule of the vulva. The indications for the correction of labial hypertrophy are two-fold:  the correction of defect and deformity, and  the cosmetic refinement of the pudendum femininum. Despite no formal medical definition of labia minora hypertrophy (length, width, girth), labiaplasty corrects the clinical conditions wherein a woman presents labia minora that are disproportionately greater than her labia majora; the labioplastic correction of the disproportions creates less asymmetrical labia minora that are functionally and aesthetically satisfactory to the woman.  Labiaplasty corrections include clinical presentations of congenital defectsand congenital abnormalities, such as vaginal atresia (absent vaginal passage), Müllerian agenesis (malformed uterus and fallopian tubes), intersex conditions (male and female sexual characteristics in a person), etc.; and the exterior cosmetic refinement of the vulvo-vaginal complex, to repair the tearing and stretching of the labia minora caused by the mechanical stresses of childbirth, accident, and age. Furthermore, in other surgical practice, within a male-to-femalesexual reassignment vaginoplasty operation for the creation of a neovagina, a labiaplasty procedure creates labia where once there were none.

How Much Is It?

Labiaplasty can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $4,00 or more depending on the complexity of the particular operation.  Most places will accept some form of financing, though usually a large chunk of money paid down is necessary.

Is it Painful?

You will be under an anesthetic during the procedure itself, so there will be no pain felt during that time.  You should expect there to be some swelling in the post-operation phase.  This should subside within a few days and can be controlled with medication for the most part.

Is it Safe?

There are risks involved with any type of operation.  Typically, the highest risk with this procedure involves bleeding, scarring and possible infection.

Wikipedia was referenced in the creation of this article.