Popularity of Labiaplasty is Increasing

Over the past couple of years, I have seen more women seeking consultation for  labiaplasty than ever before.  Many people have speculated as to why there is increasing interest in these procedures, and explanations include social trends toward greater hair removal in the genital region thereby exposing the area more, as well as greater societal exposure to nudity.  Patients seek out treatment for a variety of reasons and come from all walks of life.  Some women feel self-conscious about the way they appear even if no one else sees the area.  Others develop irritation and physical symptoms related to pressure from excessive or protrusive tissues.  Specific reasons that women seek consultation include:

1) The desire to reduce the size or improve the shape of the labia minora or labia majora for cosmetic purposes.  Many view the excessive and protrusive tissues as appearing "stretched" or excessive, and not youthful.  As with other aesthetic procedures, correction can improve self-confidence.
2) The desire to reduce the labia minora size because of irritation, pressure, or pinching during sports, exercise or certain activities.  There are also circumstances in which such individuals are uncomfortable during sexual relations secondary to traction and irritation.
3) Many women have an imbalance in size or an irregular shape that gives the appearance of an "abnomality" and can cause patients to feel self-conscious.

Although labiaplasty is offered by a variety of medical professionals, I believe that the well-trained plastic surgeon is ideally suited to handle this kind of operation with skill and finesse.  While historically, many surgeons simply "cut off" the extra tissue and "sew it up," such procedures can leave a lengthier scar at the edge of the labia and could result in increased sensitivity in that area.  My own philosophy, on the other hand, is to bring the principles of plastic surgery to this arena and use smaller scars and avoid placing them along the labial edge when feasible.  These techniques have proved very worthwhile.

I feel very privileged to be able to offer two options to patients at my center in Encino/Los Angeles, California.  One option is the full labiaplasty procedure performed without the need for general anesthesia.  Patients remain completely comfortable and pain-free while the correction is performed, but are able to be discharged in a short time, alert and awake, and without having the after-effects of anesthesia or the need to have bloodwork checked in advance.  The total cost for this option is also lower, with fees that are some of the most affordable in plastic surgery.  The other option is the use of general anesthesia, which provides the ultimate in ease for the patient experience.  Patients who undergo labiaplasty under general anesthesia tell me that the procedure seemed to have taken "only a few minutes."

Many patients begin their journey toward this procedure by reading reviews such as this one and gaining awareness of what is involved.  The next step for interested patients is the scheduling of a consultation to assess each patient's specific needs.  At the first visit, I typically give my patients the information they need to understand the procedure and the risks, discuss the option of having it done with or without general anesthesia, and provide a copy of the aftercare instructions so that each individual is well-prepared in advance.  The recovery is not very difficult, and often requires only a few days off work if one's job is office-based.

For greater detail and real case analyses, you can find more detail at my web site: www.drberger.com.

How About a Drive-Thru Facelift?

We are frequently exposed to ads for surgery purported to rejuvenate the face in seemingly remarkable ways. "In as little as one hour . . . with miraculous results . . . with no scars or down time . . . over your lunch break . . . " and so on. Usually there are accompanying photos which show dramatic results that appear almost "too good to be true." Is it all true?

It is important for individuals seeking facial rejuvenation to have both a careful evaluation by a professional who performs reliable procedures and an understanding of the various options available. A successful treatment plan usually considers the recovery and down time involved, the possible risks of the treatment as well as the patient's medical status, and the pros and cons of the choices (and there are many choices nowadays). Did you know that some of these heavily advertised procedures are offered by "franchised" operations that involve non-physicians for patient screening and evaluation? Did you know that some of the procedures that are speedier than others may be a poor match for certain patients and can increase the risk of side effects or the amount of down time? Did you know that some of the photos which appear in ads represent results achieved only weeks after surgery (and may not hold up over time)? Did you ever think that an effective procedure performed over lunch would allow the average individual to return to work "business as usual?"

For most of us, applying common sense would raise suspicions and doubts about many of these claims. The aging process in the face is quite complex, and involves many factors including loss of skin tone, changes in fat volume and location, and changes in the skeleton itself. Each of us ages in our own way based upon factors such as genetics, environmental influences, diet, and lifestyle (and there are other factors). Surely, common sense would suggest that we are not all candidates for the identical treatment!

More than twenty years of plastic surgery practice have allowed me to make some observations:

(1) Good results are generally based on a skilled assessment of the aging changes for a specific individual, rather than a "cookie cutter" approach;

(2) Often, the best results require a larger procedure that may involve longer healing and recovery instead of a "quickie" approach;

(3) A non-physician or non-expert evaluating a patient in order to devise a treatment plan that is implemented by a physician creates a "disconnect" or fragmentation of care that may compromise the results; and

(4) While some "quickie" procedures are completed in a short time, they may create unnatural results.

As with many things in life, if it looks "too good to be true," it often is. Quick and easy works great for online shopping . . . just don't shop that way when it comes to your looks!

To your health!

Dr. Berger