Does this look like a botched labiaplasty? (Photo)
Doctor Answers 15
I'll weigh in and echo everything that my colleagues, Drs Marosan and Pelosi have said. If you are a "frequent follower" on RealSelf, you have seen over and over and over again the aesthetic surgeons here, who have together performed thousands of labial reduction labiaplasties warn about "..The Botchers," those ill-trained docs who will say"...Oh, yeah, I can do that," and offer a cut-rate price or "...do it under insurance." Yes, sometimes it goes OK, but a huge portion of the time results are disasterous, as these docs have no idea of "plastic technique," how to truly "shape" and get things right, and-especially- how to deal with the clitoral hood and "unusual anatomy," which often is the rule in women with "robust" labia. They use heavy caliber sutures, "cut it all off", and then, to add insult to injury, "whip-stitch" the inner amputated area to the outside, almost assuring that the patient will have sexual pain for years.
Many of the docs on this site have the disquieting task of consulting with attorneys in instances of "botched labiaplasties," such as yours. Invariably, the tune is the same: untrained Ob/Gyn's who think "...hey! It's the labia. I'm a gynecologist & I know this area. How hard can it be..?" They offer cutrate prices, or acccept insurance, calling it an "indicated" rather than cosmetic procedure, as they are NOT TRAINED in cosmetic labiaplasty. KNOW WHAT? They are not truly credentialled by their hospital for cosmetic labiaplasty, only "Partial Vulvectomy," which is AMPUTATING the labia usually for [pre]-cancer, and that is what they do: AMPUTATE. This is such a shame, as-truly- the only time you have to truly "get it right" is the first time. Both the doc AND the hospital or surgical center who let them do this are MEDICALLY LIABLE. Your surgery, especially in the area of the country where you live that has many fine labial surgeons is well below the legally defined "Standard of Care." In my humble opinion, it is not until these docs and the hospitals that let them do this to patients are sued again and again that maybe women such as yourself will be protected!
There is hope. Since your doc had no idea how to deal with your robust hood, she/he left it long, and this hood tissue may be used later to reconstruch decent looking labia via a "flap" technique. BUT, as other docs have said here, wait at least 6 months for reconstruction, and see a real EXPERT for the reconstruction. The sad thing is, if you had seen a good, savvy, experienced surgeon in the first place, your labiaplasty, if done by an expert in your area of Southern California would have cost you maybe $5000-6000 Now, a "salvation re-do" will probably cost you > $10,000 for OK results, but nowhere as good as you could have gotten the first time around.
Sorry to be so blunt, but hopefully this will be read by other women and keep THEM from being botched by unknowing and inexperienced hands. Ask to see at least 25 "before and after pics of the surgeon's work. Choose training + experience. In plastic surgery, like most other things, you get what you pay for!
The weblink below may be additionally helpful for you.
Best wishes,
Michael P Goodman,MD,FACOG, AAACS
Davis, CA, USA
Learn more: http://www.drmichaelgoodman.com/botched-labiaplasties/
Thank you for your question and photo. Unfortunately you will need to wait 4-6 months to ensure you have healed completely before evaluating how much labia tissue is left. Reconstruction could be possible but is difficult when there is little tissue to work with. When swelling has completely gone, if you are not happy, I recommend that you see a board certified Plastic Surgeon who specialises in Labiaplasty reconstruction.
All the best
Learn more: http://www.edelsteincosmetic.com/
Revison surgery for #labiaplasty may be requested make the labia more even.; correct over reduction; ismprove the appearance of color, texture, and scars after previous treatment.
Revisions are generally possible but, as with other surgeries, revision becomes more difficult than the initial first operation These should be performed by a surgeon experience with #CosmeticFemaleGenitalSurgery. You should wait at least 6 months for the initial surgery to resolve. Tissues need to heal and soften before they are re-operated upon.
Learn more: http://www.pacificcenterplasticsurgery.com/body-procedures-newport-beach/vaginal-rejuvenation/
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If your surgeon shows no interest in helping you and owning up to this result, you should do your best to warn others by using social media. Bad results are always possible in any surgical practice but yours appears to have gone beyond that.
Learn more: http://www.garyalterplasticsurgeon.com/secondary_labia_reconstruction.htm
I think we need to focus on the next step, getting you a revision by a professional and experienced surgeon.
I would wait at least another 4 to6 months before attempting any surgery. I would also speak with your surgeon and make sure they are aware of the situation.
Unfortunately, your results are not satisfactory by any means. I agree with all of the comments already written below. Whoever did this to you has no experience performing a labiaplasty and should have referred you to someone who is highly trained in performing labiaplasty reduction surgery. I am sorry that you have had this experience so far and hope that you can find someone who will be able to do you justice with a revision when the time is right.
Because you are only two weeks out from your surgery, it is best to wait about 6 months for all of the swelling to go down and healing completed before having another surgery. A cleaner look can definitely be achieved. When you are ready be sure to research plastic surgeons and cosmetic-plastic gynecologists who are specifically trained and highly experienced in labia minora labiaplasty and their complications. For more information on labiaplasty, visit the link below.
I hope this information is helpful and I wish you the best of luck in resolving your concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Troy Hailparn
Learn more: http://www.cosmeticgyn.net/procedures/labiaplasty.html
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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