Labiaplasty - Should I Wait Until I'm Done Having Kids to Get the Procedure?

Great question - You raise many issues - The first is the concept of "VBAC" or vaginal birth after C-section. While the debate has gone back and forth most obstetricians and nurse midwives would agree that patients who have delivered by c-section previously are much more likely to have a c-section again. The reason this should be a consideration in your planning is that you correctly surmise that some distortion, change in shape or trauma to the labia can happen during childbirth. However,... more

There is no definitive answer to your question, but here are various thoughts/facts that may have an impact on your decsion: In a recent survey, about 2/3 of the patients undergoing labiaplasty had not yet had children. To some degree, it depends on the amount of discomfort you are experiencing and the timing of planning your next child. Labiaplasty does not ensure that your pain will be relieved but only that the labia will be reduced. Also take into consideration, that in the same survey... more

Labiaplasty can be performed at anytime and does not need to be timed with childbirth. Since you are having discomfort due to your enlarged labia, you should consider having the procedure soon.

When to have a labiaplasty is when you first notice that there is a problem.  The operation is very simple and consist of trimming off the elongated portion of  the labia.  The operation takes less than 15 minutes and heals in about three weeks.  Labiaplasty is performed  under local or I.V. sedation.  Cost is about $2500.

Dear SSGR Your answer regarding when to have labia reduction is the same as so many issues we treat in Plastic Surgery. The time to have your treatment is when you are aware that your displeasure is constant and persistant. There is no medical reason to wait until after childbearing years, especially when you have already had a C section. Dr Sadove Genitourinary Plastic Surgeon

Labiaplasty can be used to change the shape of the labia, both inner (minora) and outer (majora).  For most women that I see in New Jersey, labiaplasty is synonymous with reducing the size/length of the inner labia or labia minora.  Some want to reduce the outer labia (labia majora) while others want to increase the fullness of the outer labia with fat injection.  For the majority who want to reduce the size of the inner labia, it can be performed at any time and I... more

Labiaplasty is a procedure used to treat labial hypertrophy. This is a progressive condition that will not cease before or after pregnancy.  My advice to patients is to undergo the surgery if the condition bothers them. 

Labiaplasty is a surgical technique to reduce the amount of skin and mucosal tissue in the labia of a female patient. It is possible that this skin may stretch during vaginal childbirth. However, if you are only going to deliver babies through C-section, you may perform the labiaplasty now or at any time.  

There is no right or wrong answer to when you should have a labiaplasty.  If you have it now, there is a chance that the labia minora could stretch out again with childbirth ( assuming they let you try a VBAC ( vaginal birth after c-section)).  However, they would not be able to stretch out to the same amount since you have physically removed excess tissue already, and the tissues can only stretch so much.  If you wait until after you are done having children, then you... more

You are having some discomfort now. You are a good candidate for labiaplasty now. The pregnancies may or may not change the results of the surgery. I think it will NOT change the results. Do the surgery and enjoy life.

There is no medical reason that should stop you from having a labiaplasty performed further childbirth; however, you may wish to defer your surgery until afterwards, so that you do not feel that you need to have this done a second time. However, since you had a C-section, there is a good possibility that you may have another C-section and then there is less chance of having significant changes following repeat pregnancy. Regarding your discomfort with intercourse, this may be improved with... more

It all depends on the amount of discomfort that you have and the timing for your next child. It might be easier just to wait after your second delivery. One thing to know about labiaplasty, it will only make the labia smaller. If you have any discomfort unrelated to the labial size, a Gyn exam might be needed.

Hello, Although I do not do vaginoplasty (inside), but rather work on the outer structures, I think you are probably better off waiting until you are done having kids. All because you had one child through a C-section doesn't mean any others you might have will be delivered the same way.