When choosing to undergo a labiaplasty procedure, it’s important to understand the downtime required, the recovery timeline, and what aftercare you will need to follow to ensure a smooth recovery.
In this blog, we will provide a guide to labiaplasty recovery and aftercare so you can understand what to expect as you heal.
At CREO, labiaplasty surgery is led by Dr. Omar Tillo, our double-board certified body contouring surgeon. Dr. Tillo has mastered the delicate skills required to artfully adjust the female form to your desired aesthetics while enhancing your comfort.
Find out how labiaplasty surgery can enhance your lower body.ย
Stages of Labiaplasty Recovery
As your body heals from labiaplasty surgery, you can expect to go through several distinct stages:
Day 1 (Day of the Surgery)
In the first few hours after labiaplasty surgery, you will experience some numbness around your vagina as the anaesthetic wears off. After this, you may feel some discomfort at the incision sites and from related swelling, which can be managed with prescribed pain medication.
Week 1
In the first week of labiaplasty recovery, side effects should gradually subside, improving your comfort. Many women can walk regularly and perform light, daily activities at this stage. However, you may still have some residual swelling, bruising, and itchiness as the incisions continue to heal.
Week 2
During the second week after surgery, most patients are able to return to office work and other non-strenuous activities. At this stage of labiaplasty recovery, most side effects should be significantly reduced, and you will begin to see the results of your procedure. However, you will still need to avoid using tampons, sexual intercourse, and other strenuous activities that place pressure on the vagina.
Week 3
At the week three mark of labiaplasty recovery, most bruising should have healed, and other side effects will continue to dissipate.
Weeks 4-6
After six weeks of labiaplasty recovery, most patients are fully recovered from surgery and are cleared to resume strenuous exercise, use tampons, and engage in sexual activity. As the swelling should have completely resided at this stage, you should be able to enjoy the final results of your labiaplasty procedure.
Ongoing Stages
Over time, your body will continue to heal from the surgical procedure, reducing any residual swelling and gradually improving the final results of your labiaplasty. For some patients, this can take up to 3-6 months. During this process, you should continue to carefully monitor your progress and speak to your surgeon immediately if you have any concerns.
Aftercare for a Labiaplasty
Following labiaplasty surgery, you will be provided with thorough aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery period. In addition, you will also be given with any necessary prescriptions to ensure your comfort as your body heals.
At CREO, we offer three follow-up appointments to monitor your labiaplasty recovery process at one week, six weeks, and six months after surgery. As you heal, Dr. Tillo will gradually clear you to resume various activities, such as exercise.
Tips to Ensure a Faster Recovery Following a Labiaplasty
There are several things you can do to promote a smooth recovery after labiaplasty:
- Keep the area elevated – Keeping the pelvis elevated for the first few days after surgery can help to reduce swelling by moving fluid away from the surgical site.
- Use a cold compress – Applying a cold compress for the first 48 hours can help minimise swelling and physical discomfort.
- Wear loose clothing – Baggy clothing and underwear can reduce friction around the vagina, which may cause discomfort.
- Abstain from sex – For the first 6-8 weeks, you must abstain from sex to avoid placing pressure on the vagina that may delay healing or distort your results.
- Maintain hygiene – Keeping the surgical wounds clean can reduce the risk of infection.
