24 Year Old, No Children - London, UK

I have wanted this procedure since I was around 16/17 years old and yesterday after much deliberation and preparation I finally did it.

I was relieved to find 'realself' whist doing my research pre-op, there is nothing like reading honest, first hand advice/experience from real women who have had the procedure themselves. Here's my experience (so far)...

I went for a consultation with a gynacologist on March 8th. He was very pleasant and seemed to be very experienced. We talked through why I wanted the procedure and what I felt unhappy about. I was a little suprised that he did not have any photos of past labiaplasties that he had carried out, this almost put me off but he explained that his main area of work was around re-constructions so he only took photos of these more complicated procedures. He examined me which was a little embarrassing as i have never had a stranger that close to lady garden before! There was a female nurse present at all times and although embarrassed, I was made to feel at ease. He explained that he thought de-epithelization was the best option for me (where they keep the natural edge of labia), I had a full redundant prepuce on the right side (the fold of skin between the inner and outer labia) which he said he will do his best to remove.
My advice to anyone who is going for a consultation is to NOT hold back on questions, it is likely you will not have another opportunity to openly chat about the procedure with your surgeon. Ask everything and anything, even if you think its a silly question.

Here are some questions that I printed off and took with me:
* Do you think I’m a good candidate for the procedure (why or why not)?
* Will you need to consult with my GP before we can go ahead with the surgery
* Walk through of surgery:
* How long (aesthetic – local, sedation or general?)
* Where
* When
* Scalpel or medical laser
* What method you use for my case and why? Pro’s and con’s of this method (Edge resection, wedge, deepithelialize)
* Are the stitches likely to form a notched scar?
* What are the associated risks? What is the most common post-op complaint?
* I read that the surgery is best not performed around the time menstrual cycle due to increased risk of infection etc.
* Healing time:
* Time advised to book off work
* Complete rest advised or is minimal stress activity okay e.g walking/driving okay
* When wounds have healed, should I use products to help reduce the scaring eg. Bio oil
* Aftercare – What aftercare would be included in the price of the operation eg. What should I do if I experience complications post-op (I do not have private medical insurance so should I go to my GP in case of complications experienced post-op?)
* When I want to have children should I expect a higher risk of tearing or any other complications? Is it something I should tell the midwives that I have had done?
o What should I do to prepare for surgery?
o Cost?
> Can I see pictures of past surgeries completed by yourself to help me gauge what results I should expect and manage my expectations?
> How many Labial reduction procedures have you carried out?

Questions I didnt ask and wish I did:
Hygiene after procedure -
- when I go to the toilet should I rinse the area or just dab dry?
- how hot should my showers be? (fear of fast dissolving of stitches so I have only taken a tepid shower)
- Should I continue drinking lots of fluids or just drink small but oftern? (liquid goes straight through me so if i drink lots I end up going to the toilet ALOT, im worried this can cause irritation to the area)

The Procedure:
My surgery was scheduled for the afternoon. I arrived 1 hour before, as advised, but was left in the waiting room until 10 minutes before my scheduled procedure (I thought that I had been forgotten about!) The receptionist called down to advise them that I was still waiting for collection and a nurse hurried up and scooted me downstairs soon after. This bit all felt a little rushed (i really do think they had forgotten about me!!) but it was okay because i wasnt taken into surgery for another half hour after my scheduled time so it gave a little time to relax again. The anaethatist came to visit me and explained what will happen next and how the anaestic will make me feel - he was super friendly. Then my surgeon came in and quickly went over the details with me again, adding that he may do some trimming to remove wing tips that he hadnt originally planned to do, I agreed i was happy with this and i signed the concent form.

I was walked through to the theatre and laid on the table, the anaethatist popped the canula in and I was away. Next thing I knew i was awake and in the recovery room. I felt fine but had the shakes, they just covered me with lots of blankets and popped a heater inside the covers and the shakes soon stopped.

I went through to the patient care area and spent 2 hours in there before I left. The pain was minimal, I started to feel a slight burning sensation on one side but took a tramadol and was soon feeling fine again. My first wee didn't sting at all like I had feared, I just dabbed dry a little and applied the [eye!]cream they gave me and waddled back to the patient care area. I would advise everybody to take a taxi or get a lift home after the procedure as standing for an extended period can become a little uncomfortable. I stood outside for just 10 -15 minutes waiting for my lift and started to feel a little pressure in the downstairs region... glad i didnt get the train home like i had first planned!!

Day 1Post-Op
Today i woke up with not pain at all, i couldnt believe it! I had some tea and toast but by 10ish i started to feel the tiniest bit sore so I took 2 paracetamol which has warded off any pain. At 10:30 I took a tepid shower (no soap!) and did my first wee of the day in the shower (a little gross I know but i felt as the first wee is always the strongest of the day this would be the most hygienic - wound wise, that is!) I dabbed dry with a fresh towel and am now lying in bed like a lady of luxury with a cold pack between my legs. So far, so good! A little uncomfortable but I certainly wouldnt use the word pain to describe anything (so far).

The only uncomfortable area is at the bottom left side - it seems that my outer labia is stitched to my inner labia in this small section. Strange? Can anyone tell me whether they have theirs is the same?

So I woke up today with lots of itchiness! I was a little worried because when i went to the toilet there appeared to be some brownish discharge and i couldnt tell whether this was just normal discharge that had been mixed with the blood from the wound, or whether it had been produced from the wound itself (Arrgghh!)

I decided to have a shower, get back into bed and put the ice pack on it for a while - this feels like instant relief. I have decided not to wear any pants today so I can let the wound 'breath' (freeeedom!)

Currently a little sore, but still wouldn't describe it as pain. I will take 2 paracetamol with my tea :) Nothing like a good cuppa tea to get you sorted, eh ladies?!

So day 3 - 5 have been pretty much the same. Still no pain, no more than a slight twinge and soreness here and there. However, I think it's really important to note that I still do not feel anywhere near 'recovered' enough to resume normal activity. Movement is uncomfortable and I live in fear of ripping the stitches. My surgeon advised me to book 4-5 days off work... I am SO glad I booked an extra 3 days off on top of what was recommended because I still cant sit upright on a hard surface or walk like a normal person. My incisions still feel very tight and i have a small amount of bleeding (spotting) quite alot of the time - does anyone know whether this is normal for day 5, or whether the incisions should be scabbed up or should they be starting to seal by this point?

No pictures because there is no change to the appearance.

Cabin fever is setting in....