Does this look like a botched labiaplasty?

Question

i went in for a labiaplasty a couple weeks ago and all i asked were for them to be cut a little shorter and instead it looks like my doctor cut them completely off. It looks bumpy and uneven to me. Is it normal to have them cut all your labia off?

Troy Robbin Hailparn, MD · Answer

Dear Labiaplasty101,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

Marco A. Pelosi III, MD, FACOG, FACS · Answer

Labiaplasty, in precise terms, refers to a reshaping of the labia. Your labia have been completely removed and unevenly at that. To the point: This is not what a properly performed labiaplasty result should like by any technique. Even if your goal was complete removal, the right and left sides have irregular edges that don't match and the midline in the posterior protrudes unaesthetically. The clitoral hood demonstrates significant excess tissue bilateral which wasn't addressed and also protrudes unaesthetically. If you want this fixed, wait at least 6-12 months for everything to heal before you consider a revision. It will be complex and it will be expensive. Don't shop for price, shop for expertise.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,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

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

#RevisionlabiaplastysurgeryRevison 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.

Gary J. Alter, MD · Answer

I reviewed your photo. It appears that most of your labia minora were removed. You had a trimming labiaplasty. However, no attempt to revise your labia should be done until you are at least five months after your past procedure as your appearance will improve, and the swelling will be less. You need to control your anxiety and wait. The reconstruction is 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 two years ago. You may need various reconstructive techniques to give you a good appearance, but this won't be known until all the swelling is gone. Fortunately, you have a large clitoral hood which can be used to reconstruct your labia, so do not let anyone remove any of it.  Therefore,I probably would recommend clitoral hood flaps to reconstruct your labia  I invented this procedure about eight years ago and have done it about 40 times with outstanding results. You only get one good chance to reconstruct you, so be patient and ask a lot of questions.

David Ghozland, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing and I am sorry you are going through this.  At this point, it is no surprise to say that the labiaplasty you intended to have was not given to you. 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.

Oscar A. Aguirre, MD, FPMRS · Answer

I'm sorry about the outcome of your surgery. This isn't a desired look by anyone who is wanting aesthetic enhancement surgery of their labia. You are now left with asymmetry and bumpiness of the labia minora and a top heavy look due to your clitoral hood not being addressed at the time of your initial surgery. In retrospect, at least you have your hood intact which may be used for your eventual revision many months from now.

George Marosan, MD · Answer

It is botched and I agree with everything that Dr. Pelosi said. I find that many patients shop around and want to have their insurance company to cover the cost of the procedure. Unfortunately,some unscrupulous practioners justify this as a "functional " procedure and due to their poor understanding of the anatomy and poor surgical technique can end up with a botched result. This is very difficult to correct and it will never be as good as if it would've been done by an expert. One word of caution, do not let anyone trim your excess clitoral hood. This tissue will be important in reconstructing your labia, at least partially.  Let things heal, this cannot be rushed. Seek out an expert who is familiar with this type of surgery and also at reconstructing surgical misadventures. Good luck.

Sanjay Azad, MS, FRCSEd · Answer

I would agree that the labial trim has been too aggressive. This is now a complicated situation and may require significant reconstruction in the future. Leaving matter for 6-12months is a key so that the scar has time to settle before going down the route of any further surgery.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

because its unanimous that your results are less than satisfactory and that too much was removed.  I hope your surgeon can learn from this and can help you through the healing process and whatever is needed to provide you the desired result.  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.

Does this look like a botched labiaplasty?

Answers (15)