Vaginoplasty :

Vaginoplasty is a cosmetic as well as a reconstructive surgical procedure to improve the appearance and tone of the vagina by tightening the vaginal muscles, support tissues and reduce the relaxed vaginal linings.

Some more terms to remember -

• Vaginal Relaxation - Vaginal Relaxation is a term loosely used to describe stretching of the vaginal muscles due to weakness, loss of tone and strength. Vaginal Relaxation may result from aging, multiple vaginal childbirths and not strengthening pelvic and perineal muscles especially after childbirth.
• Labiaplasty (Labia Reduction, Labia Beautification) - In this procedure, the labia majora and labia minora are surgically reduced and made smaller to give a woman's external genitalia more youthful look
• Hymenoplasty - In this procedure, the ruptured hymen is reconstructed to a pre-sexual state.
• Perineoplasty - In this procedure, the muscles of the perineum are tightened.
• Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) - This non-surgical procedure is performed to enhance vaginal muscle tone, strength, and control. It will also effectively decreases the internal and external vaginal diameters and strengthen the perineal body
• Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV) - This procedure is performed for the enhancement of the vulvar structures, labia minora, labia majora, mons pubis, perineum, introitus and hymen
  Un-hooding of the Clitoris - Removal of thick skin from over the clitoris to obtain maximum gratification during sexual activity

Who is an ideal candidate for Vaginoplasty?

If you are a woman who is determined to maximize her sexual sensation, gratification, would also like to improve the appearance of her external genitalia, restore her self-esteem and rejuvenate her love life, then you are an ideal candidate for Vaginoplasty. Women suffering from stress incontinence of urine (involuntary loss of urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or sex) can also have this problem corrected by Vaginoplasty.

What does Vaginoplasty involve?

It is not uncommon to have a combination procedure i.e. Vaginoplasty and Labiaplasty during the same surgery. They can also be performed at the same time with most cosmetic surgical procedures such as Liposuction, Breast Augmentation, Breast Lift or Breast Reduction, Facelift, Thigh Lift, Rhinoplasty and Eyelid Surgery. Vaginoplasty is performed under general anesthesia and you will be required to stay in the hospital for a maximum of 2 days. Vaginoplasty is performed as a standard gynecologic surgical procedure and takes about 60 - 90 minutes. You will spend an hour in the recovery room under the supervision of a nurse to monitor for post-operative complications like excessive bleeding. Vaginoplasty tightens vaginal muscles and the surrounding soft tissues. The incisions made to tighten your vaginal muscles will either be stapled or sutured with dissolvable suturing material. The result of a Vaginoplasty is an immediate decrease in the size of vaginal muscles, resulting in more friction during sexual intercourse.

How to prepare pre-operatively for Vaginoplasty?

Like all other surgeries, preparations for Vaginoplasty also require you to be aware of a few do's and don'ts which are as follows:

• During your Vaginoplasty pre-operative visit, remember to inform your surgeon and anesthetist about your health condition and all the prescription and non-prescription medications including vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements that you are taking.
• Your surgeon will request routine pre-operative testing of blood, urine, pap test and a pregnancy test to make sure that you are not pregnant.
• If you smoke, stop smoking 2 weeks before Vaginoplasty to avoid healing problems during the recovery period.
• Eat a balanced diet to help expedite your recovery after Vaginoplasty.
• Do not eat or drink anything at least 10 hours before Vaginoplasty
• Do not have sexual intercourse the night before Vaginoplasty to help the surgeon assess the vaginal tissues properly.

What is the recovery period like following Vaginoplasty?

There will be pain and discomfort for the next week or so following Vaginoplasty. Your surgeon will prescribe you pain medication to relieve pain, antibiotics to prevent infection at the incision site after Vaginoplasty procedure. You will also be instructed to refrain from sexual intercourse for at least 2 weeks or until the incisions made for Vaginoplasty heal completely. This is extremely critical as expansion of contraction of vaginal muscles during sexual activity can lead to tearing and incomplete or delayed healing after Vaginoplasty. You will be asked to come back after a week to get the sutures removed. Do exercises to strengthen and tighten the pelvic muscles, avoid straining during defecation (avoid being constipated), lifting heavy objects for about a month following Vaginoplasty. Vaginal muscle stretching exercises are very important after Vaginoplasty as it reduces the amount of scar tissue formed and may ensure an adequate sized vagina.

What is the outcome of Vaginoplasty?

The results from Vaginoplasty are very rewarding and it can make you and your partner very happy. Vaginoplasty tightens and restores the vaginal muscles thereby re-establishing friction that increases sexual gratification for both women and men! There is a 98% success rate, in about 2% of cases you might need a minor revision procedure to get the results you want.

Benefits of Vaginoplasty

The benefits of Vaginoplasty are to improve the esthetic appearance of your vulva and vagina and also to tighten and strengthen your vaginal muscles and enhance the pleasure and gratification during sexual activity. If you are uncomfortable with the changes your private parts have undergone due to aging, childbirth or any trauma, then you will most certainly benefit from Vaginoplasty.

Risks of Vaginoplasty

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Allergic reaction to anesthesia
• Painful intercourse - If your vaginal muscles are not too lax to begin with, then Vaginoplasty may cause them to further tighten, resulting in pain during sexual activity

Alternatives to Vaginoplasty

These alternative treatment options can be used alone or in combination to improve the look of your external genitals and make your sexual experience a fulfilling and pleasurable one

• Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation (LVR) - This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. In this procedure laser is used to strengthen and tighten the vaginal muscles.
• Designer Laser Vaginoplasty (DLV) - This procedure is used for enhancement of the vulvar structures, labia minora, labia majora, mons pubis, perineum, introitus and hymen.
  Laser Reduction Labiaplasty - This technique can sculpture the elongated or unequal labial minora (small inner lips)
• Laser Perineoplasty - This method is used to enhance the sagging labia majora (large outer lips) and labia minora to give your vulva a youthful and esthetically appealing look