Damaged from 2 Births, Time to Do Something About It. Las Vegas, NV

So, my doctor didn't seem to think I was the cause of the little separating, suggesting that it could have been a stitch popping or something. She said it was healing and probably would be sealed in a week. Portions apparently look like nothing ever happened there and it's not even 2 weeks from surgery! She said everything looked good, and she cleared me to exercise!!!!! I'm so happy about this. The only cautions were to not bike (not even thinking of that), and to ice a little if I get swollen. She seemed most concerned about any friction, so I'm going to be careful about that. I celebrated with a brisk 3.5 mile walk and might jump on the treadmill now. I didn't think recovery would be quite this fast, and I'm very pleased. I did force myself to bed rest for the first 3 days and I also ate a ton of protein and vegetables to help recover.

So I see my doctor for my follow-up this week, and I will ask her about the small separation I have. It's been there for a while and seemed to be healing, but then it started bleeding (teeny bit on toilet paper) a week post. I'm not sure if it's b/c I was exercising (fast walking, squats…I know, dumb!!) or if it was just because I wore underwear for almost a full day instead of my usual commando in baggy pants. Anyway, this has been a bit of a bummer b/c since Day 6 or so I have felt 100% and want to be exercising and back to normal. So, the good news is that there is no pain, minimal swelling, things look fine and I feel great. The area feels irritated like I was extra zealous with a loofah, but when I'm out and about I don't even think of it. I've gone out to socialize, grocery shop, etc. w/o needing a soft seat in my car, help lifting things, etc. I would have figured a separation would close faster than it has, so I too disagree that the healing is as easy as some doctors describe. I recall a cut on my finger where it seemed like the Grand Canyon was between the two edges, and yet they knit back together seemingly quicker than the super vascularized vulva. Go figure.

I've been reading a lot on the RS website, and I would like to counter the opinion that the only way to go is with a wedge and with a plastic surgeon (opinion mostly offered by plastic surgeons who only do wedges!). I am happy with the conservative approach taken by my OB and the trim method she followed. Before surgery I had asked her about the scalloped edges and said I was afraid of looking like a rat chewed off my labia, and she seemed confused, and now I know why. It looks like she folded the cut edge inward and did what I can only describe in sewing terms as a bracelet stitch, leaving the exposed edge smooth. I didn't want any clitoral hood reduction, and everything is well-blended (but I think she had that easy b/c the parts removed were in the center and the original labia were retained in the front and back). So, it does seem that in some cases the trim method is really appropriate, and I would ask about stitching technique and show pictures if you too are concerned about the scalloped edges and bumps seen with some stitching approaches (and if you're not, that's fine too. Personally I'm on the low-end with respect to concern how things look up close and could live with scalloping). It saddens me when people are very upset post surgery about a little asymmetry or what they deem extra skin. I think everyone looks just fine in their pictures, and the only things I'd be concerned about it infection, big separation, or other real problems that are totally unnatural or unhealthy.

I have noticed as well that there are conflicting recommendations on after care. I personally am leaving it alone as much as possible. I did put a little antibiotic cream on the separation but will hold off until seeing my doctor. No sitz baths, no oil, etc. I take a shower daily and use mild soap but don't dig into my labia. Leave well enough alone seems to be working for me.

I'll let you know how things go with the doctor. Once the wound is entirely closed and I am cleared for hard exercise, I will consider this a tremendously successful procedure and experience!

Well yesterday I couldn't stand being in bed all day, so I got up, cooked food, did laundry, stood at my desk, and basically had a normalish day. There is no bleeding but everything is tender and feels raw. I iced some and today am trying compression, wearing two pairs of underwear and sometimes slipping a gel pack in between. I have driven, seen people, and feel basically back to my old self. I miss exercising but can do planks and push ups w/o any issues to keep up my strength. Despite moving slowly and being a slug, I'm sleeping really well which tells me that my body is working hard to repair itself. I strongly recommend taking it easy and feeding your body well to speed your recovery.

I had questions about whether or not things will soften up again. I'm not very swollen, and the sutured areas feel really hard like the rubber on the bottom of a boot. Please tell me that things will be soft and slippery once again someday! Only 4 days post, it seems too early to use coconut oil. I'm still basically putting nothing down there and rinsing with diluted hibiclens. I haven't looked at myself, partly b/c I can't find my hand mirror! I ordered another one which should arrive today. I think I have bumps from the stitches, and definitely feels like rubber tread. I hope someone can reassure me that this is not permanent. My doctor just said that things "heal nicely" in this area.

Since I'm sitting around a lot, I was reading all the blogs and articles against labiaplasty calling it "female mutilation." I am amused by the hypocrisy where certain body modifications are ok while others are not. Why have an opinion on what someone else wants to do, especially when I'm sure most of these people are very ill-informed? I can't tell you how happy it makes me to pee in a straight stream now and not get anything caught in my undies!! Things people don't understand and some even think we are mentally ill and/or succumbing to societal pressure. The best are those who doubt that anyone could possibly be uncomfortable with large labia and that we are just making that part up. Yes, people are idiots, but we knew that. I hope none of you are feeling down at all by all the negativity.

Oh, this is kind of silly, but I was really worried about gaining weight but have lost 2 lbs. since surgery. Again my body must be using energy to repair, and I've been very careful to eat well and less since I'm burning zero calories moving. Just wanted to let others know that this fear isn't one to worry about. I just had pancakes and am going to bake now, so maybe I'll gain it back today. :-)