Labiaplasty

Labiaplasty is also called labia reduction surgery or vaginal lip reduction and is a type of vaginal rejuvenation that reduces the appearance of excessive labia tissue of the female genitalia. Pregnancy and genetic makeup can sometimes cause excessive tissue to form. This excess tissue can cause aesthetic issues that are harmful to self-confidence, but it can also lead to performance issues, including difficulty with sexual intercourse in some cases. Most often, a labia reduction surgery will involve the removal of excess tissue in the inner vaginal lips (labia minora). Labiaplasties have become more common recently, and they now offer an outstanding solution for women who are seeking aesthetic and functional improvement, with many patients reporting high satisfaction with their results. ⁽¹⁾

At the Zannis Center for Plastic Surgery in New Bern, NC, our team specializes in labiaplasty procedures of all types. Everything from your initial consultation to your procedure and subsequent recovery takes place at our comfortable, private facility with the most discreet and respectful staff in the industry.

Whether the patient has asymmetrical, irregular, or oversized labia, issues can range from minor irritation with activity to excess moisture retention, hygiene problems, visibility through clothing and swimsuits, discomfort during intercourse, and significant self-esteem problems. Dr. Zannis understands this may be difficult to discuss openly, but patients can rest assured he will do his best to make you feel as comfortable and as safe as he possibly can throughout the process. He has performed thousands of surgical procedures over the past few decades, and he specializes in cosmetic shaping and contouring. Dr. John Zannis of Zannis Plastic Surgery is a board-certified plastic surgeon dedicated to helping his community look and feel their best.

To book your labiaplasty consultation with Dr. Zannis, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible!

About Labiaplasties

A labiaplasty is a procedure designed to remove excess tissue around the labia minora and revitalize the vaginal lips. A labiaplasty can help reduce the visibility of excess skin when wearing tighter clothing or swimsuits, alleviate discomfort from physical activity, and restore the shape and symmetry of the labia. Specialists performed the procedure more than 10,600 times in 2023, and the effective procedure has helped thousands of patients address both functional and cosmetic concerns. ⁽²⁾

Benefits of Labiaplasty

There are multiple benefits to receiving a labiaplasty procedure. Labiaplasties can help ease discomfort during physical activities such as cycling or horseback riding. Patients will feel more comfortable wearing more form-fitting clothing and swimwear without needing to worry about their labia potentially showing. Labiaplasties can also reduce any pulling, twisting, and other pain caused during sexual activities. It can also help you find relief from reoccurring infections by improving your hygiene and reducing moisture. ⁽⁴⁾ This treatment also has cosmetic benefits, such as creating a more symmetrical shape and restoring confidence to each patient.

Ideal Candidates

All candidates interested in labiaplasty should be in good overall health and free from any underlying medical conditions that may inhibit the body’s healing process. Candidates who smoke should be prepared to quit before the procedure and refrain from tobacco or nicotine until fully recovered or approved by Dr. Zannis.

The most ideal candidates for a labiaplasty are women who are experiencing daily discomfort or irritation due to excess tissue in the labia minora. Individuals may be experiencing discomfort while wearing tighter, form-fitting clothes or sitting for prolonged periods. Recurring infections and trapped moisture may be attributed to excess tissue, making this procedure beneficial for those with hygiene issues. Other ideal candidates for this process are women who are dissatisfied with their current shape and are interested in restoring the look and symmetry of their labia.

To find out if you are an ideal candidate for labiaplasty, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible!

Personal Consultation

We ask that each patient interested in undergoing a labiaplasty schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Zannis before scheduling their appointment. During the consultation, Dr. Zannis will sit down with each patient to get to know them on a deeper level and to understand their concerns more. He will then recommend a treatment method for each patient while also preparing pre-operative and post-operative instructions. The full cost of the procedure will also be discussed once a treatment plan is set in place by the patient. We also offer virtual consultations for our out-of-state patients.

To schedule your consultation with Dr. Zannis, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible!

To learn more about virtual consultations, please visit virtual consultations.

Preparation

Before the procedure, Dr. Zannis will help prepare each patient for their procedure by providing them with instructions on how to prepare themselves for their appointment. Patients should prepare to quit smoking a few weeks before the procedure. They will also need to avoid drinking alcohol for 24-48 hours before and after the procedure. Please pre-arrange transportation home from the procedure, as well as the necessary time away from work and other social commitments to ensure proper healing. Patients may be asked to temporarily stop taking certain medications or supplements that may thin the blood, such as ibuprofen or vitamin E.

To learn how to properly prepare for your labiaplasty, please contact our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or fill out our appointment form, and a member of our team will reach out as soon as possible!

Procedure

The procedure begins with the administration of IV sedation and local anesthesia to ensure each patient feels relaxed and comfortable. From there, Dr. Zannis will start carefully removing tissue from the labia minora. There are two treatment methods commonly used in labiaplasties: The trim method and the wedge method. Both strategies boost confidence and offer natural-looking results.

Trim Method

The trim method is a simple procedure that removes excess tissue from the vaginal lips to create a more enhanced and symmetrical appearance. This method is ideal for patients interested in a cleaner look and removes the outer edge of the labia completely. This makes it easier to remove discoloration or imperfections, restoring the look and improving the feel of the vagina. ⁽⁴⁾

Wedge Method

The wedge method is another reliable procedure to target excess tissue and discomfort in the labia minora. This procedure involves removing a V-shaped wedge of tissue from the central part of the labia while the natural outer edge of the labia minora is preserved. This allows patients who want to maintain a more natural look to alter the feel and aesthetic of their labia. Some patients may find this method to be less straining on the sutures during their recovery period. ⁽⁴⁾

Dr. Zannis may use other methods, such as labia majora reduction or a clitoral hood reduction, to help each patient achieve their most desired results. Patients will find that the results of this procedure are long-lasting. However, certain factors like childbirth or aging can affect the long-term results. This procedure is fairly short, often lasting 1-2 hours in duration, depending on complexity.

Results and Recovery

Labiaplasties are typically outpatient treatments, meaning patients can return home the same day. Following a labiaplasty, patients may experience moderate discomfort due to swelling and bruising at the treatment site, but these effects can be managed with the use of medication. We recommend patients take time away from work and other social commitments for the first week of healing to rest. Patients may be able to start returning to work after 1-2 weeks of healing; however, patients with more intensive or physically demanding jobs may need to wait until approved by Dr. Zannis. Patients should refrain from sexual activity or tampon use for about 4 weeks or until further approval.

The full effects of the procedure can be seen 3-6 months following recovery. Patients can experience a new, improved level of comfort during their daily lives. Physical activities such as cycling and horseback riding can be performed without any unnecessary pain or discomfort, and women will be able to enjoy tighter clothing with no restrictions. After a labiaplasty, patients who experience recurrent irritation or infection will be able to notice improved hygiene as excess tissue is removed. Labiaplasty procedures have a high satisfaction rate, and many patients feel that their self-confidence improves afterward. Why continue living uncomfortably? Dr. Zannis can help each patient look and feel good in their skin!

To schedule your labiaplasty consultation, please call (252) 633-1197 or schedule your appointment online, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.

How Much Do Labiaplasties Cost in North Carolina?

The cost of a labiaplasty can depend on multiple factors, such as the patient’s anatomy and desired treatment results, as each procedure is fully customized to help achieve beneficial results. On average, labiaplasty at our New Bern office costs $4,500 in total. The full cost of each patient’s procedure will be discussed with them at their consultation with Dr. Zannis. We are currently partnered with multiple reputable financing companies to help our patients break down the cost of their treatments into affordable monthly payments.

Please call our New Bern office at (252) 633-1197 or schedule your appointment online, and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.

References

1. Furnas HJ. Trim Labiaplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2017;5(5):e1349. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000001349
2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner.; 2023. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2023/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2023.pdf
3. Filho OP, Ely JB, Lee KH, Paulo EM. Labiaplasty with Stable Labia Minora Retraction—Butterfly-like Approach. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open. 2020;8(4):e2664. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/gox.0000000000002664
4. Willis RN, Wong CS, Pai A, Patel BC. Labiaplasty Minora Reduction. Nih.gov. Published April 3, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK448086/