Genital Surgery
(Labiaplasty)
Early Recovery Period After Labiaplasty Surgery
On the evening following Labiaplasty surgery patients are encouraged to rest and do minimal standing or walking. Ice should be applied and sanitary napkin may be utilized. Gentle washing with an irrigation bottle or a low pressure showerhead can be performed carefully when needed. Ointment (such as Polysporin ointment) should be applied to the stitch lines liberally and frequently in this early postoperative period.
Patients are encouraged to take the pain medication with the prescribed antinausea medication as pain is developing rather than waiting until it becomes severe. This will result in the best overall pain control. Standing and walking may be gradually increased in the second and third days but patients are encouraged not to overdo any activity during the first week. Laxatives are encouraged while pain medication is being used since constipation is a side effect of the pain medication and may be problematic if not addressed early. A postoperative visit will be scheduled within the first week after surgery. At the time of that visit swelling and bruising may still be present but this should subside during the second week after surgery.
Labiaplasty surgery can be performed under outpatient conditions in approximately 1½ hours. Recovery to normal daily activity is between one week and ten days. Most patients are fully active at two weeks. Because of the nature of the surgery, some activity (such as horseback riding or sexual activity) is discouraged for four to six weeks until full healing has taken place. There is an extremely low complication rate and a very high satisfaction rate with this operative procedure. Because of the swelling the final result may not be evident for three to four weeks.