The decision for labiaplasty is based on medical, physical, aesthetic, and psychological issues. The candidates suitable are those women appropriate physically, emotionally and mentally for labiaplasty and/ or have a desire for the surgery. It is a violation of ethics to perform genital surgery on women whom doctors perceive as young and confused or if the person is desiring the surgery in order to please someone else. Basically, one needs to be educated regarding complications, side effects, and risks associated with the procedure of labiaplasty.

There are a number of criteria that ensure the suitability of women for labiaplasty. They are as follows:

• Ideal candidates are at least 18 years of age, as an upper age limit is not formally identified.
• Women should be fully developed physically and emotionally.
• Those who have a physically large labia that have led to health concerns, due to the body rubbing against clothing, causing discomfort, pain, chafing, dermatitis, and odor.
• In addition to the physical benefits of undergoing labiaplasty, patients should also want the procedure for aesthetic reasons. Voluntary enhancement of the labia minora (and possibly the labia majora) is the other most common motivating factor. In these cases, it is important that the motivations are rational and realistic.
• You should be honest about your motivations for the surgery and be able to describe them to a surgeon.
• You should have considered the alternatives and be sure that you want the operation to be done for yourself.

Recovery Process After Labiaplasty

The recovery time after a labiaplasty procedure can vary from person to person, but you can expect to see these general healing processes. Of course, individuals may experience these events at varying times and may not fully follow this order because everyone’s body heals differently. Healing also depends on the surgical techniques used and the extent of the work performed. The labiaplasty recovery and aftercare process can be broken down into several stages. You can return to work 2-3 days after surgery doing light, sedentary work. You can start driving after a few days if you are no longer being sedated. More strenuous activity should be avoided in the first 2-3 weeks after surgery. You should plan to avoid sex for at least 4-6 weeks. Many surgeons prefer not to use tampons during menstruation after labiaplasty.

Pain and discomfort are minimal over several days after the initial procedure and can take up to 5-7 days. Avoid aspirin products and drink plenty of fluids. Some patients find that over-the-counter pain relievers help alleviate discomfort. You should drink plenty of water after surgery and should avoid alcohol and caffeine. Avoid sexual activity for at least 6 weeks. In most cases, you will be seen several times to assess your recovery. We may remove unsaved stitches and check your progress. Pain, redness, or fever are signs of complications and should be immediately reported. In this case, rapid antibiotics may be necessary. Both types of labiaplasty create new incisions in the vagina that are much smaller than the original incisions. The size of these new zones is chosen to be just the size necessary for sufficient local surgical access. Needed comfort restrictions due to the symptoms of local inflammation are strictly minimized. Encouraging the patient to lead as active and structured a life as possible after surgery better organizes and flows the ongoing healing process.

Post-Operative Aftercare for Labiaplasty

Immediately after the labiaplasty, it is beneficial to abstain from walking for the first three days. After three days, light movement is advised. Excessive movement and walking should be avoided because these pull the incision line and cause increased edema. Heavy activities such as sports and sexual intercourse should be avoided for the first six weeks. With the opening of the surgical area for urine evacuation, watering the outer area is enough. Too much wiping or rubbing will cause irritation. For the first few days after the surgery, tampons should not be used. Hygiene is important. It is necessary to clean the area of surgery regularly with hygiene products after urination or defecation. When taking a shower, it is necessary to pour water on the area of operation. Heavy lifting should not be done for three weeks. Analgesics prescribed postoperatively should be used regularly so that the drugs do not take time to start their effect.

There may be bleeding in the first few days after surgery that will decrease over time. Analgesics should be used to relieve pain. If necessary, additional analgesics can be used with the prescribed drugs, or the patient can go to a nearby health facility. Antibiotics should be used for potential infections as directed by the physician. It is necessary to eat and drink plenty of water for feeding and general patient health. It is useful to benefit from social media to reduce the effects of emotional complaints. It may be helpful for a patient to share a similar experience with another patient. The patient should inform the physician about any complaints outside the plan during the clinical examination or controls. After surgery, antipyretic, anti-edema, and antibacterial drugs are used. These drugs can be used for up to six months. The first month is the most important period and requires attention in terms of medication. In the postoperative process, those who neglect to take care of the wound may heal their wounds after secondary needs. In order to recover from the surgery and heal more quickly, extra rest should be taken, stress outside the wound should be avoided, and a quiet environment should be provided. This will be good for the patient’s general sense of recovery. It is necessary not to go to crowded, stressful, and heavy environments. Those who work hard should take a break for a few weeks. When the patient is dressed in comfortable liquid clothes that do not constrain, the patient will heal more easily. Open cotton underwear does not rub the wound. Patients who pay attention to this issue will have a better and faster recovery period.