The ultimate guide to Labiaplasty

Last fact-checked: 27 August 2020

Labiaplasty is a popular surgical treatment, especially for Western women; the main advantages of having it abroad are, of course, the lower costs as well as the fact that patients can enjoy a pre-surgery holiday, or relax in pleasant surroundings after as part of the recovery process. 

Medical Departures has partnered with a growing number of clinics and hospitals around the world that offer this procedure to international patients. Keep reading to discover where you can have it done and how to book online to secure the best prices. 

What Is a Labiaplasty?

A labiaplasty is a form of genital surgery that removes the ‘excess’ parts of the vaginal lips. You may have medical or cosmetic reasons to have the procedure done: the lips may become swollen after childbirth, causing discomfort or hygiene issues, or some women may not like the appearance of their labia. Either way, this is a relatively quick procedure to perform;  downtime after the operation is a few days.

Am I Suitable for Labiaplasty?

As long as you are in good general health and have realistic expectations as to the outcome of the surgery, you should be suitable for labiaplasty. You can always get an opinion from a specialist at home before you travel if you are not sure whether a labiaplasty is suitable for you. 

What Is Involved in the Labiaplasty Procedure?

The procedure typically takes between one and two hours and may be carried out with either a local or general anesthetic. The excess tissue to be removed will be excised either with a scalpel, or with a laser, and the remaining tissue closed with fine sutures, which are dissolvable.

Some patients choose to have the procedure carried out as part of a vaginal rejuvenation or so-called "designer vagina" treatment. Thus, other procedures, such as hymenoplasty, vaginoplasty or clitoropexy may be performed at the same time.

What Is the General Recovery Time for Labiaplasty Surgery?

You will usually be allowed home on the same day as your treatment is carried out, and while it may be uncomfortable, you will be encouraged to walk around as soon as possible to help reduce the chance of blood clots and to ease swelling.

Other things to note about your recovery:

• Applying cool ice packs to the area may ease the discomfort for a day or two, as you will be lying down, rather than sitting.
• Feminine pads will be useful to absorb any discharge.
• You will need to keep the area clean and dry until the stitches have dissolved, which means no sitting in the bath or swimming. 
• Most people return to work within a week after which most everyday activities can be resumed.
• You will be advised to avoid sex, heavy lifting and swimming for around six weeks.

How Much Does Labiaplasty Cost Abroad?

This will depend on where you have it done and where you are flying from. In most cases, savings of at least 50% are not unusual.

For example, labiaplasty at our partner clinics in Thailand costs on average $2,200 and $1,500 in the Philippines. This is compared to $6,500 in the United States—a savings of 60-70%. 

[Please note: these prices are approximate estimates based on international data, calculated at the time of writing.]

What About the Quality of Labiaplasty Abroad?

Providing you do some homework, there is no reason why the quality of your surgery abroad will be any less than what you would receive at home.

This is why, at Medical Departures, we pre-screen to ensure our doctors meet the standards we would expect. Checking legal and criminal records, as well as verifying qualifications and professional memberships is part of this process, as are patient testimonials and clinic visits. Only when these criteria are met do we list a particular facility on our website.

To get started, browse our clinic listing in some of the world's top medical and cosmetic tourism destinations below:

• Labiaplasty clinics in Bangkok, Thailand
• Labiaplasty clinics in Mexico City, Mexico
• Labiaplasty clinics in Turkey
• Labiaplasty clinics Seoul, South Korea

How Do I Book?

Click through to browse our clinics and book your free appointment directly through Medical Departures. For advice, a no-obligation quote and 24-hour booking assistance, don't hesitate to contact our Customer Care Team today.

Sources:

I Got Surgery to Have a Designer Vagina. Vice. 11 June 2019. https://video.vice.com/en_uk/video/i-got-surgery-to-have-a-designer-vagina-plastic-planet-labiaplasty/5c3f6978be40777d9f2d7492

Vaginoplasty and Labiaplasty. WebMD. 19 April 2019. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginoplasty-and-labiaplasty-procedures

International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Website accessed: 27 August 2020. https://www.isaps.org/