Are these stitches normal? 18 hours post labiaplasty and hood reduction.

Question

Any advice would be very much appreciated. I asked for my inner labia to be contained within the out Labia. I have been looking in the mirror at the stitches, the surgeon has sewn my inner labia onto my outer labia. Is this normal please help, I have been crying for hours with worry. I still wanted SOME inner labia!! If this is not right what sall i do??

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

Your results are neither a properly conducted linear labiaplasty nor a wedge. This is a crudely overdone removal of the entire labia minora. Unfortunately, the minora cannot be restored. An option to camouflage the area would be to inject fat into the labia majora to hide the area. This wreaks of inexperience.

Kristi Hustak, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is difficult to tell because there is so much swelling, but it does appear that the majority of the minora have been removed throughout its length with some agglutination of the minor and majora, usually consistent with a trim technique. Without pre-operative pictures to compare, its difficult to know how much redundancy you had pre-operatively. It is still VERY early in the healing process to tell definitively. The type of sutures used  in the picture are a normal variant for the trim technique. Swelling in the first week is normal. There is extensive bruising posteriorly, so monitor this for increase or worsening and seek consultation with your provider for the concern for a hematoma.Once the swelling goes down, you will have a better idea of what tissue is left and you may be surprised how well they look after.  For now, concentrate on resting and healing. If the resection was more aggressive than you anticipated or desired, reconstructive procedures by a board certified plastic surgeon can be done in the future if needed to modify the appearance. Serial discussions with your surgeon are helpful and I encourage you to have these with your surgeon as you heal. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Dr. Hustak

Adam J. Oppenheimer, MD, FACS · Answer

Based on the amputation photos, your doctor is not a nuanced labiaplasty specialist surgeon. It also appears that you may have internal bleeding. This is an appearance I have never seen in any of my patients because I do not do amputations like most GYNs. I use an extended wedge technique that is very delicate and usually results in minimal swelling. Hematomas require surgical evacuation and control of bleeding. I would see your surgeon or a better one who understands the anatomy and surgical procedure a bit better. Once you have this acute issue addressed, and you're completely healed, you can have a re-evaluation by a different doctor to see what can be done in the future, if anything is needed. 6 months are required for the full healing process before any revisions are considered, but there are other issues to be dealt with first.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and for sharing your photographs.  I see your areas of concern but your swelling, bruising, and possible hematoma are obscuring some of the results of your surgery.  It appears that much if not all of your labia minora was removed during your labiaplasty.  Unfortunately at this point the only treatment is to allow your body an opportunity to heal and assess your results for a possible revision at 3 months based on what remaining tissues you have of your clitoral hood, though much was already removed.  Use pelvic elevation, cold compresses, arnica montana, and bromelain to try and minimize your swelling.

John R. Miklos, MD, FPMRS, FACS · Answer

Dear 321321:I am sorry to hear and see of your surgical dilemma.  It is obvious you do have a ton of swelling but to be honest it appears that your minora are sewn to your majora because your labia minora are completely removed.  This is another example of a surgeon who doesn't know what they are doing or their complete lack of experience.  This is also another example of why woman need to do their due diligence  before signing up to have surgery done based on location or other reasons.  I am so sorry that the results of your surgery is not what you have planned.   The only thing you can do is wait and see if after the swelling resolves and see what is the final outcome.  Your labia minora can not be replaced especially since your surgeon removed the lateral prepuce too.  Fortunately for you you have a small clitoris and clitoral hood and perhaps after all the swelling goes down the results will be more acceptable.John R Miklos MDUrogynecologist  & Cosmetic Vaginal SurgeonAtlanta ~ Beverly Hills ~ Dubai

Are these stitches normal? 18 hours post labiaplasty and hood reduction.

Answers (8)