Vaginal Cosmetic Surgery: What You Need to Know
According to an article in the New York Times, more and more women are looking into cosmetic surgery to reshape their labia (sometimes known as vaginal rejuvenation). In Los Angeles, vaginoplasty/labiaplasty surgery is a safe and popular elective procedure offered by Dr. David Ghozland, a board-certifed OB/GYN who specializes in minimally invasive surgery.
Since vaginoplasty is becoming an increasingly popular option, Dr. Ghozland offers the following guidelines for those seeking to learn more about the procedure. Dr. Ghozland advises that there are many reasons someone might be a good candidate for labiaplasty. In some cases, a woman’s labia minora (the inner lips) are so voluminous that they may have difficulty putting in a tampon. Others may experience inflammation or painful sex or chafing, and this type of chronic discomfort can indicate that you’re a good candidate for labiaplasty.
Physical problems aside, Dr. Ghozland says that if a woman is truly uncomfortable or even embarrassed by the appearance of her labia, it’s worth scheduling a consultation to discuss surgical options for a rejuvenation surgery. In some cases, a woman may have one labia that is enlarged and the other one isn’t, which could be an indication that a labiaplasty would be helpful from a cosmetic standpoint.
It’s important to note that while vaginal cosmetic surgery is complex and should be performed by a board-certified surgeon with experience in vaginal rejuvenation, it is typically performed on an outpatient basis. The procedure can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how detailed it is or if you have to do both sides of the labia, and patients go home the same day. Dr. Ghozland provides his vaginal cosmetic surgery patients with detailed aftercare instructions and regular follow up visits ensure a good outcome.
As far as the costs of the procedure, a congenital condition (such as vulvitis or pain during sex) that supports a medical reason for surgery may be covered by some insurance. However, if a woman wants labiaplasty surgery for cosmetic reasons, it will typically require the cost to be covered out of pocket. Surgical cost can range from $3,000 to $8,000, depending on where you live and the experience level of the surgeon you select. Still, the benefits can be numerous, including increased comfort, improved personal confidence and enhanced sexual pleasure.