POSTED UNDER Labiaplasty REVIEWS
24 years of discomfort. Long healing process, but worthwhile!
ORIGINAL POST
Like so many women here, I have been aware I...
mar91March 4, 2016
WORTH IT$3,500
Like so many women here, I have been aware I looked different down there since I was maybe sixteen or seventeen. I thought for so long that I would never be able to do this because of the cost, but during this past year I have realized that I can make this a reality, that there are financing options and that it truly was something that I felt would make me feel immensely more physically comfortable and confident. The "tipping point" for having this surgery was actually telling my mom about it this past summer. I was so afraid she wouldn't understand my desire to have this procedure, but she really surprised me in her support. I started looking into doctors on Real Self and found a younger surgeon who has just opened his own practice in the past year. Reputable ratings on RealSelf (although still a new profile), board certified, and has lots of experience in a teaching hospital. Plus, he studied surgery at Emory and Yale so I imagine he's brilliant. I met with him for a free consultation, which was super, since it was my first consult and I was still unsure if I even wanted to do this at this point. After our meeting it was a crazy feeling knowing that I was finally going to make this happen! I contacted him when they were doing a labiaplasty special, so I am getting to take advantage of this fantastic deal. I was in the midst of my final semester of college when I met with him, so it was absolutely crazy for a few months and I had to put it on the back burner. Met with him again in February for a second consult, and was nervous but he really made me feel better and showed me some great before and after photos he had taken of several labiaplasty patients since I'd last seen him.
Yesterday I booked the procedure for March 19. My mom is flying from my home state to come stay with me for several days to drive me to/from the surgery and to help me recover. I am so grateful for her support. I dont think I would be able to handle this alone.
I am so excited but also incredibly anxious. I know most people seem to have really great and easy recoveries, but I am concerned about something going wrong during surgery, like bleeding out during or after. I have a very enlarged labia, larger than most people on this site. (The labia hang down easily 2 1/4-2.5 inches, more like 3" if i stretch them.) Does anyone know if swelling will be greater depending on how much tissue is removed? Since I will likely have a lot of tissue removed I am concerned my recovery will be awful.
I am generally wary of pharmaceuticals and the idea of general anesthesia makes me so anxious, so I am having it done locally. Dr. says I will have an "extended wedge" labiaplasty. This will decrease the size overall and also narrow the bulk that is around my clitoral hood (but is not a hoodectomy).
Since I am having this done in about 2 weeks, I am starting to prep my body for surgery.
No alcohol, eating as clean as I can manage, lots of veggies and tea and water.
I normally take a lot of vitamins and supplements, but a lot of these are known to thin the blood (like ginger, garlic, and vitamin E) so I am going to start taking only vitamin C, and a "super antioxidant blend" by NOW foods which has turmeric and some other anti inflammatory healthful things in it.
I am about to buy a bunch of stuff on amazon for my recovery. this includes: arnica tablets, arnica gel (for topical bruising), bromelian and quercitin (to start after surgery), perineal irrigation bottle for washing after urinating, dermoplast spray (for a few days after to help with pain), and these postpartum ice pack pads that are self-cooling when you activate them.
Does anyone have any tips or comments to ease my anxiety about excessive bleeding? Trying not to fixate on that since I truly will be so so so so happy once I am healed.
Sorry for the novel of a post! Its a surreal feeling writing one of these after only reading others' reviews for so long and wondering if I would ever be at this point.
Yesterday I booked the procedure for March 19. My mom is flying from my home state to come stay with me for several days to drive me to/from the surgery and to help me recover. I am so grateful for her support. I dont think I would be able to handle this alone.
I am so excited but also incredibly anxious. I know most people seem to have really great and easy recoveries, but I am concerned about something going wrong during surgery, like bleeding out during or after. I have a very enlarged labia, larger than most people on this site. (The labia hang down easily 2 1/4-2.5 inches, more like 3" if i stretch them.) Does anyone know if swelling will be greater depending on how much tissue is removed? Since I will likely have a lot of tissue removed I am concerned my recovery will be awful.
I am generally wary of pharmaceuticals and the idea of general anesthesia makes me so anxious, so I am having it done locally. Dr. says I will have an "extended wedge" labiaplasty. This will decrease the size overall and also narrow the bulk that is around my clitoral hood (but is not a hoodectomy).
Since I am having this done in about 2 weeks, I am starting to prep my body for surgery.
No alcohol, eating as clean as I can manage, lots of veggies and tea and water.
I normally take a lot of vitamins and supplements, but a lot of these are known to thin the blood (like ginger, garlic, and vitamin E) so I am going to start taking only vitamin C, and a "super antioxidant blend" by NOW foods which has turmeric and some other anti inflammatory healthful things in it.
I am about to buy a bunch of stuff on amazon for my recovery. this includes: arnica tablets, arnica gel (for topical bruising), bromelian and quercitin (to start after surgery), perineal irrigation bottle for washing after urinating, dermoplast spray (for a few days after to help with pain), and these postpartum ice pack pads that are self-cooling when you activate them.
Does anyone have any tips or comments to ease my anxiety about excessive bleeding? Trying not to fixate on that since I truly will be so so so so happy once I am healed.
Sorry for the novel of a post! Its a surreal feeling writing one of these after only reading others' reviews for so long and wondering if I would ever be at this point.
Replies (18)
March 12, 2016
Personally, I didn't experience much bleeding at all. A LOT less than I expected. I had an extended wedge as well, though much less than you will have taken off. I bled a bit the day of the surgery, similar to a period, but by the next day there was almost none and after that I only needed a panty liner for a tiny tiny spot here or there from where I had a separation. I was told that if I experienced any excessive bleeding though to take a clean pad and apply firm pressure for 10 minutes straight, no letting up. And if it didn't stop with that to repeat the process. Honestly the bleeding really isn't a big thing to worry out and it seems to be one of the less common complications.
From what I've seen, bleeding and extreme swelling seem to be much more troublesome with the trim methods
Just make sure you ice and that will help keep swelling down, along with staying in bed. With how much your having removed I would definitely suggest staying in bed as much as possible
I can't wait to see your results! It's gonna be a life changer :)
From what I've seen, bleeding and extreme swelling seem to be much more troublesome with the trim methods
Just make sure you ice and that will help keep swelling down, along with staying in bed. With how much your having removed I would definitely suggest staying in bed as much as possible
I can't wait to see your results! It's gonna be a life changer :)
March 12, 2016
Thanks so much for telling me about your experience! As the date approaches I am feeling a lot better about it. I think I have been reading too many "horror stories" and even had a bad dream about bleeding out. Haha, so trying to just focus and meditate on a positive healing and end result. I CANT WAIT for smaller lips!!! Will be such an emotional and physical relief. And starting to just get excited instead of feeling fearful haha. Luckily I will have ample time to rest afterwards; my mom and I got a hotel for 5 days so I can really just lay around and limit movement. Thanks for the tips on compression in case you do bleed--- great to know.
March 12, 2016
I think you'll find that if you look at more wedge reviews there are significantly less complications ;)
Honestly the discomfort I went through on a day to day basis with my larger labia was more painful than the recovery
You're gonna do great!
Honestly the discomfort I went through on a day to day basis with my larger labia was more painful than the recovery
You're gonna do great!
UPDATED FROM mar91
9 days pre
Before photos
mar91March 9, 2016
These are so hard for me to share but here are my before's. 10 days til surgery! Going grocery shopping today and only going to eat whole, unprocessed foods the next 10 days to nourish my body before surgery.
Replies (4)
March 9, 2016
Well done for sharing, I know how hard it is. Just remember it will all be over soon and everything is gonna go just fine, OK! It's the best feeling once it's done [RS bleep]
March 10, 2016
It was hard for me to share my photos too. The fact that something so personal is out there on the Internet was terrifying, but then at the same time it felt a little freeing for me. I was finally able to let go of this and the photos were the final step after scheduling my surgery. And don't stress about excessive bleeding. While it can happen, it's pretty rare. And I seem to think I see more women who get the trim and/or hood reduction that report excessive bleeding versus the wedge. But either way, don't worry! You will be just fine - just stay off your feet and keep icing. I think it's great you will have your mom with you. I did this alone and didn't (and still haven't) told anyone I had this surgery. I'm glad you'll have someone there to help you if needed. And you are on the right path eating so well before surgery. I'm sure that'll really help in your recovery. A few tips from my personal experience: 1. Request a topical numbing cream that you can apply to your labia before the surgery (if your doc hasn't already addressed this). I also had a local and barely felt the injections since I used the cream. I've read reviews were women did not use a numbing cream and were in terrible pain when they received the local injections. A tube of the cream cost me $25 at the surgeons office. 2. Get a donut pillow or use a travel neck pillow for when you want to sit up. You will likely feel pressure when sitting or standing up. I didn't have a donut pillow, but used my travel neck pillow and it really helped. My pillow had the little beads inside versus all foam, so I could move them around so I could sit more comfortably. It definitely helped when I was sick of laying down all the time. Rest as much as you can and don't overdo it. You will do great. Remember that it's going to take time to see your true end result. Waiting is the hardest part! We are here for you. Keep us updated on how things go. Deep breaths if you get nervous and remember there are many of us here who have gone through it took and we made it through just fine. Good luck!
March 10, 2016
Thanks so much for the super helpful tips and reassurance, love! You have no idea how much I appreciate it :) my doctor did say he had an awesome numbing cream that I would have put on about 20 min before surgery, and he's prescribing me a Xanax or something similar or 2 , one for the surgery so I can just listen to my iPod and chill out during, and one or two in case I need them while recovering. I tend to have anxiety about my health so I think those may come in handy. Truly, thanks again for the reassurance! Makes me feel a ton better :)
UPDATED FROM mar91
3 days pre
Only a few days now!
mar91March 15, 2016
Got my period yesterday, thank god, I'll just have finished it the day we have surgery. Great timing.
Got my prescriptions called in. Antibiotic and diflucan in case of yeast infection, Tramadol for pain, and Valium for nerves during surgery if I need it. Has anyone taken tramadol before? Doc says I'll be taking it right before and after surgery. I hate taking prescription pills and am wary of everything but I'll probably want to have the pain meds to take just in case.
Is it pretty safe to use Valium and tramadol together? Did tramadol give anyone nasty side effects?
a bit nervous but looking forward to the results!
Got my prescriptions called in. Antibiotic and diflucan in case of yeast infection, Tramadol for pain, and Valium for nerves during surgery if I need it. Has anyone taken tramadol before? Doc says I'll be taking it right before and after surgery. I hate taking prescription pills and am wary of everything but I'll probably want to have the pain meds to take just in case.
Is it pretty safe to use Valium and tramadol together? Did tramadol give anyone nasty side effects?
a bit nervous but looking forward to the results!
Replies (3)
March 15, 2016
Glad you got your period now. I got mine either the day of or after surgery, I just didn't realize it was my period at first. At least you'll know for sure what, if any, bleeding is from the surgery so you don't have to worry. I only used over the counter pain meds and only until the morning after. Maybe you could start with over the counter and see if you can get by with that and then move on to the tramadol if those don't work. I hate meds too so I didn't want something really strong. With ice and staying off my feet, I was able to get by. You might want to double check with the pharmacist about the interaction between the two meds, just to be safe. I filled the prescription for Valium but didn't take it. I drove myself to the surgery and didn't want to have to worry about taking a taxi. You are getting close - good luck to you!! Keep us updated :)
March 18, 2016
I'd recommend sticking to your prescriptions the day of the surgery because that's when you're going to be feeling pretty rough, but honestly the day after the pain is almost entirely gone and over the counter pain pills are fine, if needed at all
March 19, 2016
Here in the uk they are much stricter with drugs. I was prescribed paracetamol only for pain and 1 antiobiotic. Whilst everyone is different I would take as little drugs as is necessary. That means a painkiller and and anti-biotic. If you're nervous about taking lots of drug combos I would stick to this because I just went through it all on barely anything! But of course, we are all different, take what you feel you need, but only what you need and what you are comfortable with. Just focus on being stress-free, however works for you best. Everything will be amazing [RS bleep] btw you can mix all of those drugs and you will be absolutely fine. There are no interactions and your body will cope just fine with them all, all at once. My only reasoning is that it seems better to hold off if you can [RS bleep]
The truth is that surgery goes differently for everybody but it is not true that the more tissue is removed the more it will swell, as the area covered will be very similar to every other woman who's had it done.
You sound very prepared and you are lucky you will have your mum looking out for you (I've just done it all by myself so you can definitely do it!!) the only way to not stress about the surgery is to not allow yourself to get lost in horrible stories and images because the more you give those thoughts time, the more you believe them to be true. If you find yourself worrying about it just observe your thoughts and focus on your immediate environment (this is called mindfulness btw and you should look it up if you are interested because it is a practice that has incredible effects on anxiety and changed my life a few years ago!)
Over 95% of these surgeries go extremely well and as long as you have an excellent surgeon that you trust and follow all pre and post op instructions you will be absolutely fine! Feel free to message me with any questions you have! And remember it's totally fine to feel nervous, you are never going to be without nerves, just focus on the end result :) xx