What is Majoraplasty?
Majoraplasty describes the surgery that addresses the reduction or reshaping of the labia majora. The labia majora or “outer lips” of the vulva are located at the entrance to the vagina and contains pubic hair over a fatty pad of adipose tissue that helps protect and cushion the softer tissues of the vulva from exterior stresses.
Majoraplasty Quick Summary
The ageing process leads to changes in the labia major due to a loss of fat and altering of the skin quality or colour. Majoraplasty surgery is undertaken to reduce or reshape the labia major to either address concerns with cosmetic appearance or physical discomfort associated with activities such as cycling. The surgery involves the removal of crescents of inner portions of skin from each of the labium and/or the augmentation of the pad with fat transferred from another area of the body through liposuction.
Where is it done?: Your majoraplasty surgery will be performed at the brand-new Honeysuckle Day Hospital in Newcastle, a fully licensed and accredited day hospital which specializes in cosmetic surgery.
Length of surgery: Majoraplasty procedure usually takes around 1 hour . However if undertaken in conjunction with other vaginal remediation procedures, the length of surgery will be longer.
Type of anaesthesia: General Anaesthesia or Twilight Sedation coupled with Local Anaesthesia.
Day surgery or inpatient stay?: Day Surgery.
Approximate cost:
Costs will vary depending upon what is required for your individual treatment as well as the complexity and expected duration of surgery and whether it is undertaken in conjunction with other vaginal remedial surgical procedures . Dr Verma will discuss this with you at the time of your consultation and his team will provide you with a detailed cost estimate after your visit.
FAQs
The majoraplasty consultation
Do I qualify for majoraplasty?
If you are experiencing discomfort or feel unhappy with your physical appearance you may qualify for majoraplasty.
Who is a good candidate for majoraplasty?
Ideal patients for majoraplasty are those who are unhappy with the enlarged or changed physical appearance of the labia majora due to the ageing process or for those who have irregular shaped labia. If you experience discomfort from enlarged labia during intercourse or from activities such as cycling or even wearing tight clothes, majoraplasty may be a good option for you.
What to expect during the consultation?
During your consultation Dr Verma will take a full medical history and discuss your concerns with you. He will also examine your perineum and will then be able to discuss whether you are a suitable candidate for a majoraplasty and explain what you can expect from the outcomes of your surgery. He will also take photographs of your labia during your consultation. This is an important part of the process and allows pre and post op documentation as well as an ongoing review of the healing process.
Majoraplasty Procedure
Where will the incisions/scars be?
Because of the natural structure of the labia majora, incision lines from the surgery are hidden in the natural skin folds between the hairless and hairy skin. Dr Verma will also discuss and address the permanent removal of unwanted hair in the area at the time of the procedure.
What type of Anaesthesia will be used?
There are two options for anaesthesia that Dr. Verma will discuss at the time of your consultation:
- General Anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep during the operation.
- Twilight Sedation coupled with Local Anaesthesia. Twilight Sedations means you are not unconscious during the operation but sedated and the Local Anaesthesia provides pain relief upon waking.
What are the side effects of majoraplasty?
With any surgical procedure, there are risks involved and most problems are easily treated and settle with time. Generally speaking, cosmetic surgery is quite safe as it is sought by healthy and fit individuals seeking improvement in the appearance.
General risks of any surgery include excessive bleeding, reaction to any of the medications (including anaesthesia), infection, poor healing or excessive scarring.
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on whether you smoke, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr Verma will discuss all risks and complications with you during a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.
What are the risks and complications of majoraplasty?
Particular risks and complications associated with majoraplasty can include:
- Prolonged bleeding
- Infection
- Asymmetry
- Delayed healing
- Haematoma
The occurrence of such complications depends mainly on whether you smoke, your general health status, how your body heals, as well as your post-operative recovery. Dr. Verma will discuss all risks and complications with you during a a consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimize risks.
Recovery after Majoraplasty
Care of your wounds
You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to care of your sutures, wounds etc. You may experience some discharge or ooze after the procedure which may require the use of sanitary pads in week 1 post surgery. Icepacks applied to the area in the initial two days after surgery are useful in the management of swelling and pain relief.
Other post-surgery lifestyle modification recommendations for six to eight weeks after your procedure will include wearing loose clothing and avoiding tight under-garments including thongs and not wearing jeans or other clothing that may cause rubbing.
Downtime
Most patients will need approximately 1-week leave from work after majoraplasty surgery, however, this will be dependent upon the type of work and the level of physical activity required.
The area will take time to heal properly and for 4-6 weeks post surgery, you will need to avoid sexual activity or other strong physical activities such as the lifting of heavier objects, using tampons, straining or bearing down to ensure the newly tightened tissues do not stretch.
When will you see results?
You will notice visible results within 6 weeks. Further results will be noticeable after your tissues heal when swelling and bruising subside which may take up to 6 months.
What will be your follow up schedule?
Dr. Verma will see you one week post the operation and then organize subsequent follow-ups according to how you recover. All follow-up visit costs up to three months after the operation are included in the cost of the surgery. Revision surgery for any complications carries an extra charge.
During your follow up visits, Dr. Verma will be taking photographs of your labia in order to document its healing during follow up visits.
How long do the effects of majoraplasty last for?
Effects of majoraplasty surgery are long term.