Will the trim method work for me? I'm getting labia and hood reduction on 8/23/22, doctor is going to use the trim method.

Thank you for your question You definitely should have hood (prepuce) reduction preceding labial reduction Either the trim or natural edge procedures would give nice results once the excess prepuce is cleared away. See the video below for more information

If desired, your labia minora and clitoral hood can be reduced to improve the appearance. A labiaplasty with a clitoral hood reduction can reduce your hood size. However, it must be performed by a surgeon with experience. One of the two most common labiaplasty techniques is the central wedge technique, which I invented in 1995 and published in the plastic surgery textbooks. It is also known as the "V" or wedge technique. Gynecologists and most plastic surgeons perform a labiaplasty very differently. They essentially trim the labia minora (inner vaginal lips) and leave a long suture line instead of the normal labial edge. Their technique is the same whether a scalpel or a laser is used. In contrast, the central wedge removes triangles of tissue and bring the normal edges together. Thus, the normal labial edges, normal color, and normal anatomy are preserved, but the darkest labial tissue is usually removed. There is rarely a sign that the woman has had surgery.

Since you have extra tissue on your clitoral hood, it can be reduced at the same time. Your clitoral hood is long and protuberant. It can be decreased somewhat by reducing the sides. I pioneered a clitoropexy with clitoral hood reduction in which the clitoris is pushed closer to the pubic bone and the width, thickness, length, and protuberance of the clitoral hood can be decreased. With this procedure, I lift up the clitoral hood skin, move the clitoris closer to the pubic bone, thin the tissues under the clitoral hood skin, and then remove a large amount of excess skin. This results in a dramatic decrease in the length, thickness, and protuberance of the clitoral hood, so that the hood is now within the labia majora when the woman stands. I have performed this procedure over 300 times with outstanding results. I have not published this technique, so no one does it like me.​

Your labia are very thick and, unfortunately, I do not think that you would have a good result from a trim.
The leading edge would be wide and would not be aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, your hood is very thick, protuberant, and wide. It is very hard to achieve a tucked look with such a hood unless you have a very aggressive clitoropexy and hood reduction, which requires very advanced skill.

No matter the technique, an inexperienced or unskilled surgeon can lead to a high rate of complications, chronic scar discomfort, labial deformities, and further surgery.​​ Approximately 40% of the female genital surgeries that I perform are reconstructions of other women's botched labiaplasties and hood reductions. Be very careful!

Gary J. Alter, M.D.

Beverly Hills, CA - Manhattan, NYC

Trimming and wedging are techniques of reducing the labia minora, not the hood. The hood is managed separately by excising loose skin. The direction and extent of the excision depends upon the shape and orientation of the loose skin and this varies from patient to patient. It can be done at the same time as a trim or a wedge.