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.
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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.
Your incisions will need adequate time to heal, and even gentle sex can interfere with the healing process.
The skin over yourclitorismay be bulging as well even though no cutting was done in this area.
Absolutely donotexpect them to look normal.
Genital tissue is quite compliant, meaning it can stretch significantly.
Avoid keeping the compress on the area for longer than 15 minutes at a time to avoid skin damage.
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.
Day 2
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.
Continue to take your pain medications and apply ointment to the incisions as directed by your surgeon.
Pain and/or discomfort is normal.
Blood-tinged drainage on your underwear or a sanitary napkin is normal, too.
Continue icing if permitted by your surgeon.
Bouts of cold should help greatly with pain and swelling.
Contact your physician if you experience a symptom that is not listed on your personalized post-op instructions.
Days 6 to 7
By days six and seven, the swelling should improve slightly.
The pain will likely still be present but should be lessened.
Ointments and pain medication should be used as directed by your surgeon.
At this point, you will likely begin tapering off your pain medications.
Some itching around the stitches is normal.
You will likely have a postoperative appointment around this time or in the next day or two.
You still have several weeks ahead of you.
You need rest, too, to properly heal.
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.
