Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPreparations for RecoveryDay 1Day 2Days 6 to 7What’s Next
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Preparations for Recovery
Day 1
Day 2
Days 6 to 7
What’s Next
Labiaplasty recovery time varies among individuals. In the first week after surgery, you may feel uncomfortable, itchy, and in pain. By the end of the second week, most people can resume normal daily activities. You will need to abstain from sex for at least six weeks, and it can take three to six months to recover fully.
Though often considered cosmetic surgery, labiaplasty—a procedure to change the appearance of the skin folds surrounding the urethra and vagina—also has a medical purpose. It can relieve the physical discomfort associated with having a larger-than-average labia and be a part of gender-affirming care.
This article discusses labiaplasty recovery. It explains how to prepare for a labiaplasty and what to expect during the all-important first week after surgery.
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Before you have your surgery, consider taking some steps that will make that first week easier:
Life Without Sex?If you can’t go without sex for six to eight weeks, you are not a candidate for this procedure. Your incisions will need adequate time to heal, and even gentle sex can interfere with the healing process.
Life Without Sex?
If you can’t go without sex for six to eight weeks, you are not a candidate for this procedure. Your incisions will need adequate time to heal, and even gentle sex can interfere with the healing process.
The first day after surgery, expect the inner and outer labia (the labia minora and labia majora, respectively), to be quite swollen. The skin over yourclitorismay be bulging as well even though no cutting was done in this area.
Use That Spray BottleYou may experience a stinging sensation while you urinate. This too is normal. Use that spray bottle filled with water to squirt the incisions as you urinate. Doing so should reduce the sting. It will also help keep the genital area clean.
Use That Spray Bottle
You may experience a stinging sensation while you urinate. This too is normal. Use that spray bottle filled with water to squirt the incisions as you urinate. Doing so should reduce the sting. It will also help keep the genital area clean.
The swelling may intensify. This is typical, for it often gets worse before it gets better. So try not to become alarmed. Continue using the spray bottle when you go to the bathroom. Once you put more than 24 hours between you and the surgery, your surgeon may allow you to take asitz bath.
Expect SymptomsIf in the first week, expect a range of symptoms: Pain, itching, drainage, and maybe a fever. Contact your physician if you experience a symptom that is not listed on your personalized post-op instructions.
Expect Symptoms
If in the first week, expect a range of symptoms: Pain, itching, drainage, and maybe a fever. Contact your physician if you experience a symptom that is not listed on your personalized post-op instructions.
Some itching around the stitches is normal. You will likely have a postoperative appointment around this time or in the next day or two.
Brace Yourself for ItchingItching is normal as your body kicks into healing mode the first week after a labiaplasty. If the itching becomes unbearable, or doesn’t respond to a cold compress, mention it to your healthcare provider. You’ll want to be sure you don’t have a yeast or bacterial infection or even an allergic reaction to a medication.
Brace Yourself for Itching
Itching is normal as your body kicks into healing mode the first week after a labiaplasty. If the itching becomes unbearable, or doesn’t respond to a cold compress, mention it to your healthcare provider. You’ll want to be sure you don’t have a yeast or bacterial infection or even an allergic reaction to a medication.
Once you’ve made it through this critical first week, it should become easier for you to make the lifestyle adjustments necessary to heal from a labiaplasty. You still have several weeks ahead of you. And while every woman’s recovery looks different, it’s fair to expect that:
Summary
What to Expect 3 Weeks After Labiaplasty
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What to expect at every stage of your labiaplasty.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.Furnas HJ.Trim labiaplasty.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(5):e1349. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001349.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What to expect at every stage of your labiaplasty.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.Furnas HJ.Trim labiaplasty.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(5):e1349. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001349.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What to expect at every stage of your labiaplasty.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.Furnas HJ.Trim labiaplasty.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(5):e1349. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001349.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.What to expect at every stage of your labiaplasty.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Four common questions women have about recovery after labiaplasty.
Furnas HJ.Trim labiaplasty.Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(5):e1349. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000001349.
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