Female intimate surgery
Labiaplasty
The labia minora vary a lot in shape and size from one woman to another, and that variation is normal. Sometimes, though, large or asymmetric labia cause rubbing, irritation and discomfort when cycling, in certain clothes or during intercourse. For other women the reason is cosmetic.
Labiaplasty removes excess tissue and reshapes the labia while keeping a natural edge and sensation. It is done under local anaesthesia (possibly with sedation) and takes about an hour. The stitches dissolve on their own.
Hymenoplasty
Hymenoplasty is reconstruction of the hymen by bringing together the remaining tissue. It is a short procedure under local anaesthesia. The reasons are personal, and the discussion is strictly confidential.
Who it is for
- adult women with physical discomfort or dissatisfaction with the shape of their labia;
- after childbirth or with age, when the shape has changed;
- for hymenoplasty, adults who request it for personal reasons.
At the consultation you are examined, your expectations are discussed and local infection is ruled out.
Recovery
- First days: swelling and discomfort, eased with cold compresses and painkillers.
- Hygiene: a lukewarm rinse after each use of the toilet, as instructed.
- 1–2 weeks: avoid sport, cycling and tight trousers.
- 4–6 weeks: you can resume sexual activity and use tampons.
Risks and things to know
- asymmetry, or too little or too much tissue removed;
- partial opening of the stitches;
- haematoma or infection, both rare;
- temporary changes in sensation.
Results vary from one patient to another.
Male intimate surgery
Lengthening
Part of the length of the penis lies inside the body, held by a ligament that attaches it to the pubic bone. Partially releasing this ligament allows part of the penis to become visible at rest. The gain is usually modest, a few centimetres at rest, and does not change erect length.
Thickening
Girth can be increased with your own fat or with fillers injected under the skin. Part of the fat is reabsorbed and the result can be uneven, which is why touch-ups are sometimes needed.
Who it is for
- adult men with a small size or persistent dissatisfaction;
- patients whose penis is “hidden” by fat over the pubic area, where liposuction of that area sometimes brings the biggest benefit.
For many men, size is within the normal range. The consultation can include a discussion of this too, and in some cases a psychological consultation is recommended before surgery.
How the operation is done
The operation is done under general or spinal anaesthesia and takes one to two hours. The incision for lengthening is in the pubic area, above the penis.
Recovery
- 1–2 weeks: back to light activities;
- 6 weeks: no sexual activity;
- traction devices are sometimes recommended in the following months to maintain the length gained.
Risks and things to know
- less gain than expected;
- the angle of erection may change after the ligament is released;
- irregularities or uneven reabsorption after thickening;
- haematoma, infection, scarring.
Results vary from one patient to another.
The consultation and confidentiality
The discussion takes place in strict confidence, in the consulting room, with the doctor. At the consultation you are examined, your reasons and expectations are discussed, and the doctor explains what can realistically be achieved, which technique suits you and what recovery looks like. You decide in your own time, once you have all the information.
