VAGINOPLASTY

One of the plastic surgery procedures that have gained wider acceptance in recent years is vaginoplasty or vagina tightening surgery. Proven safety and success record of this procedure has encouraged many women to consider it with an experienced cosmetic surgeon to enhance their sexual aesthetic. The conditions treated by vaginoplasty surgery range from acquired medical conditions like vaginal laxity and trauma (often resulting from vaginal childbirth and natural aging processes) to congenital vaginal defects.

Vaginoplasty procedure is designed to produce aesthetically appealing, slender and smaller labia. Some patients are concerned whether this surgery may adversely impact their sexual pleasure. The shape and length of the labia minor or labia major, or both, may be adversely affected due to aging, childbirth, gravitational pull, or other factors. Over time this can lead to enlargement, asymmetry, or sagginess in the labia. However, the fact is that when vaginoplasty is performed correctly, it may only enhance sexual sensitivity by providing improved access to the clitoris.

The procedure begins with the surgeon placing small incisions in pre-determined locations around the labia. Excess tissue will be removed through the incisions or the edges of the labia minora will be smoothened as needed. Incisions will finally be closed with dissolvable sutures.

Common Reasons for Considering Vaginoplasty Surgery

• Urinary incontinence - When a baby travels through the birth canal and out of the vagina it can cause some serious issues to a woman’s bladder, one of those being urinary incontinence. During vaginal births, muscles are often stretched out and unable to bounce back. In addition, the event can stress the pelvic area. Those weakened muscles can then make it difficult to control the bladder, thus urine may involuntarily leak. For some women, a sneeze, laugh or cough will provoke the bladder and pee will leak out. Or they can’t hold it very long once the urge strikes. Some urinary incontinence conditions can be solved using less invasive procedures such as a bladder sling. But for women with more severe cases of urinary incontinence, vaginoplasty, which will tighten the vaginal walls and reduce the pressure on the bladder, may be the answer.

• Better sex life - Remember when sex was filled with sensation and excitement? When every touch down there felt electric and you could climax? There’s no denying that it’s difficult to enjoy sex when the vaginal muscles are lax and the opening is loose. Orgasm may be a distant memory or a rare occurrence these days. For women dealing with a less-than-ideal sex life due to weakened vaginal muscles, a vagina tightening surgery is a great option.

• Tightening it up - Some women may not be happy with the appearance of their vagina. Whether it’s from childbirth, age or genetics, these women may choose to undergo a vaginoplasty, specifically, labiaplasty, to reshape their vaginal “lips” or labia minora. 

How can Patients benefit from Vaginoplasty?

Patients who elect to have vaginoplasty performed on their vagina can experience a number of benefits from the procedure.

• For those with congenital defects, vaginoplasty can address problematic and painful complications while enabling women to have a fully-functioning vagina and to experience greater sexual confidence and satisfaction.

• For patients with acquired medical conditions, vaginoplasty can allow them to restore their normal urinary functions, regain their sexual satisfaction and confidence, and alleviate their symptoms of pain and discomfort.

Whatever medical concerns you may have that are causing you to consider undergoing a vaginoplasty, you are not alone. Seek out the guidance of a medical professional to determine if vaginoplasty or similar procedures are the right treatment path for you.

Reconstructive vs. Cosmetic Gynecologic Surgery

When considering gynecologic surgery, it’s best for a woman to understand the difference between a cosmetic vs. a reconstructive surgery. Cosmetic gynecologic surgery is performed to change the appearance of the female genitalia. This might be the route to go for someone who is insecure or even embarrassed by an abnormality (like a birth defect) in the labia or vagina.

Reconstruction surgeries – including vaginal reconstruction – improve the function of a particular body part. In this case, the vaginal surgery could help in the following scenarios.

• Tighter vaginal muscles could potentially improve sexual experience.

• Defects in the genitalia can cause problems with normal functions like urination, menstruation, or even sexual activity. Vaginal reconstruction can help a woman’s body function normally.

Procedure of Vaginoplasty

A vaginoplasty surgery tries to bring separated muscles back together, thereby tightening the vagina in the process which has become loose due to vaginal or natural childbirth and or due to aging. The additional mucosa skin is removed from behind the vagina. Vaginoplasty surgery is also done to treat malignant growths such as cancer and abscesses or in other words accumulation of pus inside the tissue of the concerned patient.

Although a vaginoplasty surgery can be performed in children, it is subject to matters of human rights debate as children are not of the age to give consent legally. All those below 18 years of age are not eligible to go for irreversible genital reconstructive surgery or vaginoplasty surgery.

The concerned patient will be asked to quit smoking a month before the scheduled surgery date as smoking reduces oxygenation. This hampers blood flow and also slows down significantly the body’s ability to heal itself. The surgery cannot be performed at the time a woman is having her periods and has to be scheduled in a way that it takes place at the end of the menstrual cycle. If the surgery is scheduled right after the end of your periods then the operated area will heal in time so as not to cause you any discomfort during your next cycle.

A physical examination will be carried out by the doctor to check your health condition and you will also be given counseling regarding the possible risks and complications.

Before undergoing surgery patients will be required to do bowel preparation. Then a check is done by the surgeon to determine and fix the amount of tightening that needs to be done. The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia. Sometimes, it is also performed under conscious which is a process where a drug called Diprovan is administered. This medication will keep the patient in a state of sleep and will continue to have its effects as long as the drug is being administered.

Post Recovery and Care after Vaginoplasty

• You must take antibiotics to protect against a post-operative infection, anti-inflammatory drug to lessen the wound pain and acetaminophen drug, as prescribed by Dr. Vitasna, especially the antibiotic which should be wholly completed.

• After 1-2 days of the Hymenoplasty procedure, you are allowed to take a shower. You should clean the surgical wound at the perineum area with soap daily when you are taking a shower in the morning or before bedtime. Do not put anything or clean inside of the vagina.

• Within 2 weeks after the procedure, cleaning the surgical wound at the perineum area after urinary excretion may be done with sanitary wipes and after fecal excretion done using water and toweling gently. You should try to avoid moisture around the surgical wound to let it heal faster.

• You may experience light reddish bleeding out of the vagina in around 1-2 weeks after the procedure, and you should use a sanitary napkin to monitor the bleeding. In case of excessive bleeding or reddish blood clot, swollen wound and high fever, please contact the Center for suggestions or come to see Doctor for the surgical wound examination.

• You may have all kinds of food, with the exceptions of alcohol drinks, pickled food, and smoking for about 1 month after the surgery.

• For the Vaginoplasty with mini-Perineoplasty, green-yellowish discharge may be expected after the procedure. The vagina is full of secretions and bacteria, causing a reaction to the surgical wound and suture. Itching and curd-like discharge may be caused by vaginal yeast infection, after prolonged use of antibiotics. Sanitary pads should be used. In the case of smelly or vaginal fungi infection, additional medications may be prescribed.

Vaginoplasty Surgery in Hyderabad

KIMS hospital in Hyderabad is one of the finest cosmetic plastic surgery practices for vaginoplasty that attracts patients from throughout the state and India as well. Dr. Sharath Chandra Reddy and his team of plastic surgeons at KIMS hospital Hyderabad have decades of combined experience in all kinds of plastic and cosmetic surgery. Please fill out the form below to book your appointment now with Dr. Sharath and discuss your issue and understand the possible course of action.