REDUCTION OF THE LABIA MINORA
OR LABIOPLASTY / NYMPHOPLASTY
OR LABIOPLASTY / NYMPHOPLASTY
REDUCTION OF THE LABIA MINORA : presentation
What does a labia minora reduction, or nymphoplasty, consist of?
Dr. Diacakis has experience in surgery to reduce the labia minora. The procedure is both reconstructive and aesthetic and involves reducing the size of genital labia. It corrects the appearance of the vulva by reducing the size of excessive labia.
Who is this surgery intended for?
Treatment of female genitalia, including nymphoplasty, is a part of intimate medicine and surgery.
The procedure is intended for women who may experience physical or emotional discomfort due to excessively sized labia minora. The labia minora are typically hidden by the labia majora, but may, in cases known as “labia minora hypertrophy,” exceed the labia majora in size.
Three kinds of discomfort may lead a patient to seek labia minora reduction surgery :
- Aesthetic discomfort: Some patients wish to modify the appearance of their vulva because they believe their labia minora are too visually apparent.
- Sexual discomfort: Hypertrophy of the labia minora may cause discomfort during intercourse, as well as pain due to the retraction of tissue during sexual intercourse (penetration). Some patients may experience dyspareunia (pain during intercourse).
- Functional discomfort: Some patients may experience discomfort or irritation when practicing certain sports (including cycling, horseback riding, or even prolonged walking) or when wearing particularly tight clothing.
Patients who suffer major functional discomfort due to hypertrophy of the labia minora may be entitled to partial coverage of the operation by social security, as the operation is considered reconstructive.
Prior to a Nymphoplasty Operation
Dr. Richard Diacakis will receive you for a pre-operative consultation during which you will discuss your needs and expectations and together establish a quote. Dr. Diacakis will present the various advantages and disadvantages of each technique and advise you on which procedure would be most appropriate for your morphology. You will also discuss the consequences and results of the operation.
Nymphoplasty Procedure
The procedure is carried out by Dr. Diacakis, who reduces excess mucocutaneous tissue on the labia minora in order to give them the desired appearance. The procedure typically lasts 45 minutes and is performed under local or general anaesthesia. Stitches are resorbable and will fall out on their own in 5 to 21 days.
There are two types of nymphoplasty procedure:
Longitudinal nymphoplasty:
This operation consists of removing excess mucous membrane along the labia minora in the shape of a crescent.
Dr. Diacakis uses a “buried suture” technique to hide scars inherent in the procedure.
This technique allows the labia minora to retain their natural appearance; the risk of sutures loosening is very low. This technique does place the scar along the underwear line.
Triangular nymphoplasty:
In this procedure, we resection excess mucocutaneous tissue in the form of a V, or triangle. This limits the size of the scar to the central part of the labia minora, concealing it between the labia minora and labia majora. The labia retain their original thickness and color along their entire length, and the natural folds of the labia are the same after the operation as before.
This operation provides excellent results, but is not always effective in cases with particularly large hypertrophy of the labia minora. In those cases, longitudinal nymphoplasty is more appropriate.
Post Nymphoplasty Operation
After-effects of the operation are simple, provided patients follow prescribed hygiene recommendations during recovery. Patients should apply a local disinfectant several times a day and after each visit to the restroom until absorbable stitches disappear (10 to 15 days after the operation).
Patients should avoid bathing until stitches are completely healed and absorbed.
Patients may experience discomfort and slight sensations of burning while walking during the first few days after the operation. This can be relieved by simple painkillers.
Patients should refrain from sexual intercourse during their recovery (three to four weeks).
The results of this procedure
The results of this procedure are immediate, though the final result becomes visible only after three to six months, once swelling has completely disappeared and the labia have regained complete suppleness.
The results
Costs of a Nymphoplasty Operation
The cost of a consultation with Dr. Richard Diacakis for nymphoplasty is 100 euros.
The price of an operation to reduce the labia minora varies according to different factors, including the magnitude of the operation, the chosen clinic, desired services, and any potential associated operations.
This operation is typically covered by health insurance. Dr. Diacakis will provide you with an estimate at the end of the pre-operative consultation, which you can give to your social security and/or health insurance company in order to find out whether your operation will be covered. Your agent will call you to discuss your request before providing their approval.
During the consultation, you will receive an estimate including :
- The cost of the clinic (operating theater fees, accommodation in a single room)
- Surgeon fees
- Anaesthetist fees
- Assistance costs
- Application of 20% VAT (in cases not covered by social security)
Only the first consultation is charged. Dr. Diacakis does not charge a fee on any other pre- or post-operative consultation.
For all cosmetic operations, patients are given a minimum reflection period of fifteen days.
