1 year post labiaplasty, why is it this swollen? (photos)

HI kelly,

I think that you should see your surgeon as soon as you can. It is possible that you have fluid in the left labia, be it clear serous fluid, an infection or perhaps a hematoma (blood collection). It is unusual to have this type of swelling 1 year after a labiaplasty.

Hope this helps a bit,

Best,
Dr. Christine Rodgers

Thank you for your question Your photo shows that the prepuce was not treated There are two pairs of labia: a lower pair that inserts into the clitoris and an upper pair called prepuce that forms the hood that can insert into and even overwhelm the lower pair. The prepuce should be treated first to optimize results with the lower pair That is what you see swelling and can be treated See the video below

You may have sustained some trauma to the area from intercourse. There is some disrupted lymphatic outflow after surgery (in any type of surgery). Regardless, I would see someone experienced in female genitalia as soon as possible to ensure that this is not something more serious such as bleeding (unlikely), but it is important to be more safe.

Hello,
Thank you for the question and photos.
It can take up to 1 year for the final wound healing to take place and for all the swelling to go down.
Sometimes, conservative management with massaging the area can help when swelling recurs after surgery.
I would definitely discuss your questions and concerns with your Plastic Surgeon.
I hope this helps.Best regards, Dr. Karanetz
Dr. Irena KaranetzFellowship-TrainedBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

I am not certain why you are experiencing the swelling of the labia minora. It could be a an allergic reaction to something. A response to the process of stroking or rough intercourse. A reaction to an irritant such as lubricant, spermicides or soaps. It could be a gartner's duct cyst, or a bartholin duct cyst. The only way to get a definitive answer is to have a gynecologic examination.

As the inventor of the central wedge technique in 1995, I have done thousands of these procedures and revisions. I do not know why your left labium swelled like that. Perhaps, you had an allergic reaction to something or developed a skin infection in some of the residual small glands in the labium. If it is a recurrent issue, then you will need more detailed exams to determine the cause. If the area that causes the swelling is isolated to a location in the left labium, it can be excised with a revision. Your result is not ideal from your previous labiaplasty, and a revision can also be done to give you a much more symmetrical result.

A revision is much more difficult than a primary labiaplasty and should be done by a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in labia reconstruction. I published the first and most extensive paper on labia reconstruction in the prestigious journal "Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery" about ten years ago. You may need various reconstructive techniques to give you a good appearance. You can have a much better appearance by a very skilled reconstructive labiaplasty surgery. Approximately 40% of the surgeries I perform are revisions of other surgeons' labiaplasties

Gary J. Alter, M.D.

Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NY

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. Unfortunately it is difficult to know why you have that level of swelling but I would ice the area and give it time to resolve on its own. This should not be a chronic issue.

Hello ,I have never encountered such a situation after our labiaplasty surgeries. After a while, this complaint may be corrected.
if it does not improve
You still have excess ducts after labiaplasty. especially on the left side, around the clitoris, in the part of the skin we call the foreskin. if you fix this. your complaint will go away.

you should contact your surgeon ASAP for an examination to determine why you have this issue. This is not normal and should be evaluated.

Hi there. So sorry this is happening to you. It is not really possible to make a diagnosis from a picture. You have clearly demonstrated the swelling and that is very helpful, but to determine the cause, it would be best for you to return to your surgeon for a thorough examination.