What is Vaginoplasty?
As women grow older and go through certain stages in their lives, it is quite common for many to experience a change in their bodies, including their vaginal areas. However, many women feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with the changes in appearance and feel. Changes in the vaginal region can be brought on by many factors including pregnancy, childbirth, weight fluctuation and the natural aging process. Women who are not happy with these changes often seek vaginal rejuvenation.
The term “vaginal rejuvenation” can cover a wide variety of procedures both surgical and nonsurgical. These types of procedures can help tighten the vaginal canal as well as reshape the outer vulva area.
Common vaginal rejuvenation procedures are:
Surgical
- Labiaplasty: Reduction of the inner labia minora
- Vaginoplasty: Repair of vaginal laxity by removing excess skin and reconstructing and tightening the vaginal wall
- Clitorial Hood Reduction: Removal of excess skin surrounding the clitoral hood
- Labia Majoraplasty: Reduction of the outer labia majora
- Monsplasty: Reduction of excess skin and fat in the frontal part of the vulva where hair grows
Nonsurgical
- Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation: This nonsurgical procedure uses laser therapy to gently create tiny microlesions that induce collagen production, regenerating the vaginal tissues and wall
- Radiofrequency Vaginal Rejuvenation: Radiofrequency procedures, like the Geneveve system that I use in my office, utilize a device that delivers controlled volumetric heating to safely help stimulate and rejuvenate vaginal tissue and muscles
Both nonsurgical procedures use heating to stimulate the surrounding tissues and can be done in an office setting, and both have been reported to improve vaginal tightness and minor incontinence issues.
As you can see, there are plenty of options when considering vaginal rejuvenation. The best way to decide on a procedure or combination of procedures is by scheduling a consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced in these procedures. I suggest doing your research and preparing a list of questions ahead of time to take with you for reference. Doing research ahead of time is going to help both you and your surgeon define your goals and create a plan to achieve the best results possible. To get you started, here are five questions I recommend you ask at your vaginal rejuvenation consultation.
Am I a good candidate?
This question will lead the way for discussing some of your biggest concerns about your vaginal area. Women who are more concerned with the size and length of their vulva area may do best with a labiaplasty or labia majoraplasty, while others who find they experience minimal vaginal laxity may benefit most from a nonsurgical procedure like the Geneveve. This is also a time to discuss your current dietary and lifestyle habits. Living a healthy and active lifestyle will help support better outcomes for your procedure.
What is the recovery time?
Planning ahead will play a vital role in your recovery time. Some procedures are more invasive than others, so knowing what to expect and how you should prepare will help ease any stress. Once you know which procedures are going to be right for you, you should begin planning. You may need to schedule time off, enlist the help of friends and family while you recover as well as meal prep to make your downtime much less stressful.
How will the procedure be performed?
Having any medical procedure can bring anxiety, but discussing the details of the procedure can help ease any worries you may have. Your surgeon can take you step-by-step through the process and answer any questions you have as they go. Nonsurgical procedures usually take 30 minutes to one hour and no downtime is required, while a labiaplasty can take up to one to two hours to perform as well as two to five days for recovery time.
What are the risks?
Today’s advancements and developments in plastic surgery have made many procedures much safer and more effective. However, every medical procedure has some degree of risk. Obviously, invasive surgery will have more risks than nonsurgical options. You should be aware of these risks and discuss with your options with your surgeon so that you are well-informed and confident in your decision.
What type of results should I expect?
It is important to be realistic and understand the time frame in which you may see results and how long these results will last. Depending on the procedure, results can be immediate or may take up to three months or longer to see final outcomes. Results also depend on the woman’s genetics, the specific procedure chosen and her adherence to follow-up care. It’s important to discuss all of this with your surgeon so that you have realistic expectations.
