What is the labiaplasty recovery timeline?

Home » Blog » Labiaplasty Labia reduction

The recovery period following a labiaplasty treatment varies from person to person and is dependent on your particular needs. At The Private Clinic, we will fully discuss what to expect from labiaplasty surgery and can help if you are feeling anxious about the recovery period.

What is the labiaplasty recovery timeline?

Immediately after surgery

Once you have left theatre, you will be taken to a private recovery room where our medical team can monitor your post-op recovery and administer any necessary medications. You will usually stay here for around 1 hour following your labiaplasty procedure before you are signed off by your surgeon and their medical team. You will be provided with an aftercare plan and be prescribed medications to treat inflammation and reduce any pain or discomfort that you may feel in the upcoming weeks.

Week One

You will have received a call from one of our nurses the day following surgery to ensure that you are feeling well and answer any questions you may have regarding your aftercare plan.

You will be advised to take it easy and avoid doing anything physical or strenuous. It is recommended that you rest during this time, but this doesn’t mean you want to be completely sedentary. We recommend taking regular short walks to aid your recovery and minimise your risk of blood clots.

Bleeding or spotting is normal following your procedure, patients are recommended to wear maternity pads or sanitary towels to provide some padding for a week or so after surgery and to wear comfortable underwear.

Week Two

Many patients feel able to return to work after 1 week but depending on their job role and own personal healing time, may prefer to take 2 weeks.

At this stage, swelling should have reduced.

Week Three

Your stitches should have fully dissolved by this stage, and you should feel more comfortable moving around and less sensitive in the area.

Weeks Four & Five

Whilst you may be near the end of your recovery and feeling back to normal, it is important that you continue to follow your aftercare guidance and avoid any activities that could put strain or pressure on the surgical area.

Week Six

At 6 weeks you will return to clinic to see your surgeon to discuss your results.

You will now be able to use tampons, have sex and exercise as normal.

Most of the swelling should have subsided, but some may still remain, and it is best to wait until 4-6 months following the procedure to see your final results.

Labiaplasty Aftercare FAQs

How painful is labiaplasty recovery?

Whilst the recovery process for Labiaplasty surgery is 6 weeks long, any pain and soreness is going to fade after 1-2 weeks. You will be provided with pain medication following surgery to help you feel comfortable. It is also advised to follow your aftercare instructions to avoid any unnecessary discomfort.

When can I go to the toilet after a labiaplasty?

Immediately, there are no restrictions on using the toilet following your labiaplasty procedure.

If you experience discomfort while urinating, you can flush warm water over the area to relieve this. Urinating may be painful for a few days following the procedure, but this should ease by the end of the week.

After urinating, it is recommended that you use a squirt bottle to cleanse the area and then gently pat the area dry.

Will getting pregnant / childbirth affect my results?

It is unlikely that pregnancy or childbirth will drastically change the results of your labiaplasty procedure.

However, every woman’s body responds differently, and some very subtle changes may be noticed.

It is common for vaginal stretching to occur during vaginal birth and during pregnancy it is normal for additional labia growth to occur due to increased hormones.

A second labiaplasty procedure due to childbirth is a more straightforward procedure that focuses on labia growth, tears, and stretching of the tissues, much like an original labiaplasty procedure.

What happens if I get my period whilst recovering from labiaplasty surgery?

Your menstrual cycle will not affect the healing process of your labiaplasty surgery. However, many patients choose to schedule their procedure so that it is unlikely to occur during the early recovery process.

You will not be able to use tampons, a menstrual cup or anything else that requires insertion into the vaginal canal for 6 weeks following your procedure. If your period does start before this time, we recommend using sanitary towels or period pants.

Maintaining Vaginal cleanliness is also important during the recovery process. To cleanse the area, you should use water to gently rinse the area in the shower. The area should then be gently pat dry, and clean dressings applied if required. Keep the area clean according to your surgeon’s guidance to avoid infection

Will my scar be noticeable following labiaplasty surgery?

Scarring will look different on everyone as we all heal differently. Our surgeons try to ensure that any potential scarring is as unnoticeable as possible, concealing them within the folds of the labia.

It can take up to 6 to 12 months for the scar to fully fade. There may be some discoloration or pigmentation in the treatment area in the first few months which will fade over time.

Why choose The Private Clinic for a Labiaplasty?

The Private Clinic has over 40 years of experience in providing the best treatments and procedures.
Highly experienced Cosmetic Surgeons who have years of experience in Labiaplasty procedures.
As many post-operative care and appointments with your surgeon and nursing team as required.
24 hour patient helpline to ensure you are always in the best of hands.
Discreet clinic and hospital.
Excellent reputation for patient safety and satisfaction, honest advice, and outstanding care.

Get in touch

To find out more about the labiaplasty procedure or to book a consultation with a specialist surgeon please call 0333 920 2471 or use our online contact form to request a callback.