When Can I Return to My Daily Routine After Labiaplasty?
As with any surgery, patients are often concerned with how long the recovery will be following labiaplasty. This, among many other frequently asked questions, is thoroughly answered during the consultation with Dr. Steven Yarinsky. Aside from helping his patients at Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, Dr. Yarinsky also answers women’s questions about labiaplasty on the online medical education forum RealSelf.
One patient asked: “What is the healing process after labiaplasty? When can I resume my normal activities such as sports and having sex?” Dr. Yarinsky was pleased to clear up any confusion from mixed information received from other plastic surgeons she had seen by replying with this explanation.
Dr. Yarinsky stated that since the skin in the labia region is very delicate, it takes 2 to 3 months (typically 8 to 10 weeks) before he allows his patients to resume any activity that puts pressure, or causes friction or traction, on the skin of the perineal region or vulva. It takes this long for collagen to mature in the labiaplasty wound to be strong enough to not tear from resuming regular activities.
For safety, Dr. Yarinsky clarified that the woman should avoid wearing thongs, having intercourse, using tampons, or placing anything else inside the vagina for the first 2 to 3 months after labiaplasty. He also strongly recommended avoiding strenuous sports – especially those that place pressure on the groin region such as bike riding or spin classes – during that time to allow for proper healing.
If other surgeons allow their patients to resume those activities earlier, they have ignored the fact that it take several months for healing wounds to become strong enough to resist tearing. “When it comes to wound healing, you can’t speed up mother nature!”
For a detailed consultation including an individualized description of what you can expect during labiaplasty recovery, please contact us to set up a consultation with Dr. Yarinsky.