Sex after labiaplasty requires patience to promote a full recovery. Since genital cosmetic surgery causes pain and discomfort, you need to adhere strictly to your surgeon’s guidelines for a swift recovery period by abstaining for several weeks.
“How long after labiaplasty can I have sex?” is one of the most common concerns for both health and comfort reasons. Post-surgery labiaplasty care reduces the risk of unusual symptoms or a compromised healing process.
Learning about what to expect after your procedure will mentally and emotionally prepare you for transformative results and maintaining healthy sexual intercourse.
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What is Labiaplasty and How Does Labiaplasty Surgery Work?
Before we talk about sex after your surgical procedure, it helps to understand how labiaplasty surgery works and the body parts it affects. This form of plastic surgery alters the visible skin folds around your labia minora to improve its appearance or reduce discomfort caused by excess tissue.
There are a few labiaplasty surgery techniques available depending on the kind of work you need done and your health needs. Labiaplasty procedures are quick and painless since they require local or general anesthesia. If you choose local anesthesia, you’ll be able to drive home yourself and immediately begin your labiaplasty recovery.
How Long Should You Wait Before Having Sex After Labia Surgery?
One of the many reasons labiaplasty patients seek out these procedures is to maintain a healthy, normal sex life. However, having sex too soon can cause severe pain and make a smoother recovery difficult.
Surgeons generally recommend patients wait at least four weeks before having sex, though some suggest six to eight weeks. The timeline sometimes changes depending on the surgical technique and your lifestyle.
There are many tools you can use to reduce discomfort in the meantime, such as snipping out strenuous exercise, using an ice pack or cold compresses, and avoiding tight clothes like leggings or skinny jeans.
The Wedge Procedure and the Trim Procedure: Timeline Recovery
The wedge technique involves reducing the size of the labia minora while preserving its natural appearance. Your medical professional will carefully suture the edges of the cut areas to promote smoother healing and reduce scarring.
Since sexual activity can cause these sutures to pull apart, you’ll need to wait at least four weeks before sexual intercourse.
The trim technique earned its name by trimming the outer edge of the patient’s labia minora to remove excess skin, which sometimes causes a loss of sensitivity. Four to six weeks is a common recommendation for a swift recovery (with the added bonus of giving your body time to recover its sensitivity).
In some cases, a few weeks won’t be enough to be safe. Your plastic surgeon may recommend up to eight weeks for their post-operative recommendations. Not only will you need to avoid intercourse, you’ll need to apply antibiotic ointment to reduce the risk of infection.
How Do I Know If I Have Problems After Undergoing Labiaplasty?
Communicating consistently with your plastic surgeon about your symptoms, concerns, and lifestyle goals is key to a successful labia surgery recovery period. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you’ll need a follow-up appointment.
Abnormal Bleeding
A little bleeding is normal for about a week after your procedure. Your surgeon will recommend you wear a pad to soak up minor bleeding and avoid tight clothing to keep from aggravating the surgical area.
If bleeding is excessive or lasts longer than a week, reach back out to your surgeon’s office.
Ongoing Pain
You’ll experience discomfort for four to six weeks after surgery as your body goes through the natural swelling and healing process. However, time and patience should reduce swelling and gradually restore your usual sensitivity and comfort.
Ongoing pain that doesn’t abate after around three months, or gets worse, could mean post-surgery complications. Your surgeon will be able to narrow down the cause and provide supplemental guidance.
Persistent Numbness
Numbness or reduced sensation is very common for the first few weeks after labiaplasty surgery. Since your nerves and blood vessels underwent physical stress from the trimming and suturing process, they need time to heal.
However, loss of numbness a few months after surgery could be a possible sign of nerve damage. Reaching out to your plastic surgeon will give you the full picture and treatment methods to help your nerves recover.
What is the Average Labiaplasty Cost?
The full cost of a labiaplasty surgery procedure ranges between $3,000 to $6,000 on average, though it can go beyond $10,000+. These costs will vary depending on the surgeons you work with, the anesthesia used, and the procedures recommended to you.
It’s common for patients to seek additional treatments alongside their procedure, such as hormonal treatments or a comprehensive mommy makeover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still need to learn more about sex after labiaplasty? We’ll answer some common questions so you know what to expect when you undergo labiaplasty treatment.
Does Sex Feel Different After Labiaplasty?
It’s common for sex after labiaplasty to feel different, usually for the better. Most patients report more sexual satisfaction due to the reduced self-consciousness around their appearance and improved comfort levels after removing excess tissue.
Does Labiaplasty Increase Sensation?
In some cases, yes. Some patients notice a major improvement in their sexual life after the removal of excess folds, which can sometimes dull sensation or cause too much friction.
How Can You Speed Up the Labiaplasty Recovery Time?
Following your plastic surgeon’s post-surgery recovery is the most important contributor to your recovery, but there are a few additional things you can do. Getting plenty of rest, avoiding heavy exercise (like cardio), and avoiding alcohol are all helpful for recovering from cosmetic surgery.
Book a Consultation for Your Labiaplasty Surgery
Sex after labiaplasty is often more enjoyable for patients due to their boost in self-confidence and more consistent physical comfort. When you work with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sanam Zahedi, you’ll enjoy a supportive and compassionate environment that helps you enjoy a safe and healthy sex life.
Reach out to us today to book a consultation.
