5 weeks post labiaplasty healing. I have lumps. Will these fade?

As the inventor and innovator of the wedge technique in 1994, I reconstruct many women who have had labia reductions by other surgeons, both wedge and trimming techniques. The reconstruction technique depends on the deformity. 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 adequate clitoral hood to reconstruct your labia minora with clitoral hood flaps, which I invented and published in that journal article.   I have done this surgery about 60 times with excellent results. The surgery takes about 3+ hours so it is not a simple office procedure. If any surgeon reduces more of your clitoral hood, you will be ineligible for this repair. You only get one good chance to reconstruct you, so be patient and ask a lot of questions.
Gary J. Alter, M.D. 
Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NYC

Thank you for your question and photos. It looks like most of the swelling resolved, and what I see in these views is an over resected left labia and an irregularly resected right labia with divots. Nothing will "fall down" with time. Your surgery was done by someone who is not well versed in these delicate surgeries and has less than optimal understanding of the surgical anatomy. DO NOT let the "lumps" be removed, that tissue will be critical in reconstructing your labia. Need to wait 3-6 months before this can be undertaken. See a board certified plastic surgeon or gynecologist with experience in these surgeries. You will want to review lots of before and after photos before choosing your next surgeon. Good luck with your healing.

Dear Monkey94:I am sorry to hear of your situation but at 5 weeks you are practically healed and the results you are seeing.  The lumps on you left clitoral hod will not fade as what you are seeing is a poor contouring result where the labia meets the frenulum of the clitoris and the clitoral hood.  Yes he/she was aggressive in the surgery and removed the majority of your labia.  Though I might be wrong I have been labiaplasties and revising labiaplasties for 20 years, nothing is going to " fall down in time".   If you would have had a wedge resection I would tell you that you would need to wait for a revision surgery but with a linear resection you can see a revision specialist in 3-4 months.I encourage you not to see seek a surgeon who is a qualified revision surgery specialist and this does not mean they need to be board certified nor do they need to be a plastic surgeon.  Board certification does not require you to take a surgical test based upon ones surgical skills and technique, it is a written examination.  If you take the examination and you pass your are board certified.   Choose a surgeon with experience, expertise, a national reputation and one who can achieve outstanding results in botched aka revision labiaplasty surgery.  I will say that your results are not the best but fortunately for you --- you have a small clitoral hood and clitoris and this will help to make any revision appear more aesthetically pleasing.  I am sorry for your misfortune.John R MIklos MDAtlanta  ~ Beverly Hills ~ Dubai

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs. You are approaching your long-term results at 5 weeks, with much of the swelling from surgery having resolved.  I see your areas of concern but would counsel you to wait at least three months before deciding on the need for any revision procedure.  Hopefully the lumps will soften and smooth but I do think that there will be some retained asymmetry on the amount of labia minora present along your right and let sides.  Hope this helps.

Hello,Although I cannot see much detail in your image, most irregularity in results improve over time. Have you shown your surgeon? Best Regards,John Di Saia MD

At five weeks, you are still a little swollen, and you'll go through more healing. You'll have a good idea of your final result at six months. If at that time you still notice the lumps, you can discuss it with your original surgeon, or could you seek a second opinion from a board-certified plastic surgeon or gynecologist with experience in labiaplasty surgery. Check out before-and-after photos.All the best.

Hi,At 5 weeks, you should be very close to your final result.  However, small improvements can continue for a few more months.  It is difficult to give you precise recommendations based on the photos only.  Speak with your surgeon and re-evaluate the result in a couple of months.  Some of the bumps may improve with time.Dr. Parham Ganchi - NJ Plastic Surgeon

vary widely by how the procedure is done.  But most lumps and redness do improve with time.  But bumps at the ends of your incisions are 'dog ears' and they will not go down.  To remove that requires a revision.  It does look like you've had a very aggressive labiaplasty and I've never seen them 'settle' and 'fall down' with time.  I personally try to leave a cm of labia as I believe labia do have a function.  Do you have any labia that extend beyond the reflection between your minora and majora?  It doesn't look like that.

Thank you for your
question and sharing your photographs. Swelling is common after labiaplasty with the amount dependent in part based on the time since surgery.  The final result will be seen after several months, which at that time one can evaluate if a secondary surgery would be recommended.   If you are concerned about your results then I would recommend discussing this with your surgeon.  If you are concerned about the need of a secondary procedure, I would recommend finding an experienced genital surgeon for a second opinion.Genital reconstruction can be more
challenging than the original labiaplasty.  I would recommend finding an
experienced reconstructive genital surgeon, which include Cosmetic
Urologists, even if it involves traveling.  There are several types of surgeons who promote themselves as performing labiaplasty, but a Cosmetic Urologist can offer unique qualifications compared to plastic surgeons, gynecologists and general urologists. Cosmetic Urologists typically have both extensive training and experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive genital surgery.   Best of luck.   
Jeffrey S. Palmer, MD,
FACS, FAAP (Cosmetic and Reconstructive Urologist -- Cleveland, Ohio)

...Not the MOST aesthetic results in the world (but not "bad..."), performed perhaps by a surgeon "...less-than-expert" in this work..? With the exception of the "bumps" which are secondary to inflammation around the suture knots under the skin, which will take 'til ~ 3-4 months post-op to fully soften, what you see now is more-or-less what you will get. If you were sure enough about the qualifications of your surgeon to pay his or her fee and let that person operate on such an important part of you, I'd suggest that you follow his or her instructions and advice. If you remain dissatisfied after 3/4 months post-op, see your surgeon re: his/her advice for minor revision to better meet your aesthetic desires... "...Fall down in time..?  WHAAA?? B.S.!!Best wishes,Michael P Goodman, MDDavis, CA, USA