What is Vaginaplasty?
Vaginaplasty is a surgical procedure used to tighten the vagina after it has become slackened or loose after childbirth.
Vaginaplasty Quick Summary
After childbirth, weight loss, and through the natural aging process women can experience a loss of tightness and tone due to physical and hormonal changes. Vaginaplasty, also known as “vaginal rejuvenation” is a procedure during which the muscles and/or tissues in the walls of the vagina and the vaginal opening are surgically tightened to regain firmness and tone or to remove scarring or torn tissue. The procedure involves a small incision in the perineum (the area located between your anus and the opening to your vagina) and the tightening and removal of excess skin and tissues.
Where is it done?: Your vaginaplasty 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: Usually between 1-2 hrs.
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 vaginaplasty consultation
Do I qualify for vaginaplasty?
If your vaginal muscles have become loose or stretched you may be suitable for vaginaplasty surgery.
Who is a good candidate for vaginaplasty?
There are different reasons for changes to your body that may result in the loosening or tearing of vaginal muscles and tissues that can be improved through vaginaplasty including:
- Childbirth resulting in stretched or torn muscles and tissues.
- Weight loss
- The aging process
- Hormonal changes
- Scarring from birth trauma
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 vaginaplasty procedure and explain what you can expect from the outcomes of your surgery. He will also take photographs 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.
Vaginaplasty Procedure
Where will the incisions/scars be?
Dr. Verma will be careful to place incisions in areas that will be hidden by your body’s natural contours and skin folds to minimize scarring.
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 side effects of vaginaplasty?
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 consultation, as well as techniques and medications which can minimise risks.
What are the risks and complications of vaginaplasty?
The particular risks and complications associated with vaginaplasty include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Scarring
- Painful sex post surgery
- Loss of sensation
- Numbness
Recovery after Vaginaplasty
Care of your wounds
You will be provided with detailed instructions by Finesse Cosmetic Surgery with regards to care of your sutures, wounds etc. 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 6-8 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, bathing and avoiding swimming until healing has completed.
Downtime
Most patients will be able to return to work one week after a vaginaplasty procedure, depending upon the level of physical activity involved in their occupation. Other restrictions will include no sexual intercourse, use of tampons or other penetration of the vagina for 4-6 weeks post surgery as well as avoiding lifting, bearing down or straining and other strenuous activities or sports.
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 in order to document post-op healing.
How long do the effects of vaginaplasty last for?
The effects of vaginaplasty are long term if there is no other future impacting factors such as further childbirth or dramatic weight gain or loss.