Is supervision necessary after a labiaplasty?

Most labiaplasties done under local require no supervision. However, if something unexpected happens during the procedure that requires monitoring, it's probably a good idea to have a trusted friend available to keep an eye on you. They don't need to know what you had done. If your procedure is done under general or deep sedation, it is mandatory to be accompanied by a responsible adult that you know and the Uber driver doesn't count. These anesthetics have lingering effects that take hours to wear off.

I echo the sentiments of my colleagues that if general anesthesia or twilight anesthesia is given during your procedure you should have someone observe you overnight to be assured the medications used leave you body without harmful affects. If however, your procedure is performed under local anesthesia this will allow you to recover alone, without having someone else in the house. Prior proper preparation will be necessary. It is important for you to have plenty of food available so that you won't have to leave the house for a few days. With the Trim method it is important to have little to no activity including driving for at least three days. If having a wedge procedure, I would add two more days for a total of five days with little to no activity. The day of surgery it is recommended to have a friend, family member or Uber to drive you home. Prior to receiving your local anesthetic you will usually receive an anti-anxiety medication to help you to relax which could have detrimental effects on your ability to drive. Finally, at my office I provide my patients with a "Love Bag". It has all the necessary items needed for your post op recovery. Here is what is included: Peri-bottle (to keep the area clean after restroom breaks), ice packs, Telfa pads to prevent the sutures sticking to underwear/maxi pads, disposable underwear (you could always buy a few pairs of “granny panties”), Tucks pads (nothing worse than TP getting stuck to your incision lines), Dermoplast spray (for itching and superficial pain), inflatable ring cushion, 5 Cu-3 hydrating cream, and Arnica (a homeopathic medication used to help with swelling and bruising). Best of luck! Dr Michael Reed aka @thecosmeticgyn Davis, CA

Please follow the instructions provided to you by your surgeon. Usually, these instructions include assistance in the first day or two after surgery, particularly if general anesthesia is administered. This is for your safety.