About the Procedures

Many women are embarrassed dealing with excess skin and fullness in the pubic and vaginal areas. This problem can impact women of all ages, not only affecting their self-esteem but causing serious physical discomfort. Prominent skin of the labia minora or clitoral hood that extends past the normal level in the area can cause irritation while exercising, create difficulty or pain during sexual intimacy, and make the skin dry, resulting in chafing and tenderness.

At Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, we are pleased to help women suffering with this concern feel more comfortable using female intimate cosmetic surgery, one type of which is medically referred to as labiaplasty. This procedure is one of the most popular at our practice. In fact, our board-certified plastic surgeon,
Dr. Steven Yarinsky, has been performing labiaplasty and vaginal rejuvenation procedures for more than 25 years, helping countless women eradicate the constant skin irritation and dissatisfaction with the way they look and regain confidence in their appearance.

“Thank you so much for the great care and concern extended to me during every visit to your office. Most importantly the day of & day after surgery. It certainly meant a great deal to me. I realized just the other day I finally feel ‘Complete’! Thank you just isn’t enough!”B.P*

Since female intimate surgery is such a sensitive matter, Dr. Yarinsky does his best to make you feel comfortable and answer any questions you may have. During the consultation, he will determine whether you are a good candidate for labiaplasty and thoroughly explain what you can expect from the procedure.

• Your Anatomy
• Vaginal Rejuvenation Benefits
• Types of Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery
• Vaginal Rejuvenation Safety
• Non-Surgical Vaginal Rejuvenation
• Vaginal Rejuvenation Results
• Vaginal Rejuvenation Scars
• Vaginal Rejuvenation Side Effects

Your Anatomy

The labia minora are the inner lips of the vagina. They are the most common area treated with a labiaplasty because of their excessive length, asymmetry, and when long may cause symptoms including chafing, skin irritation, pain and wetness. The labia minora may tear with vaginal childbirth creating asymmetry which may also be corrected.

The labia majora are the outer lips of the vagina that may be reduced in volume using liposuction if they are too full. If the labia majora are deflated with aging, loose skin may be removed, or they may be reinflated by filling with fat or injectable fillers to restore a more youthful appearance.

The clitoral hood is the anterior skin overlying the clitoris and excessive protruding skin in this area is often removed as part of a labiaplasty to provide a trim and balanced appearance.

The pubic mound or mons pubis is the area of the lower abdomen or upper groin located above the clitoral hood which may lose volume and become deflated or become too full or bulky with aging.

The hymen is the delicate membrane within the vaginal opening that is most commonly and naturally torn with intercourse. Some women choose to have hymen repair or reconstruction prior to getting married for cultural reasons.

What Are the Benefits of Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Vaginal rejuvenation can provide numerous benefits for women according to their individual needs and areas of concern. This specialty of cosmetic plastic surgery in which Dr. Yarinsky is extensively trained and experienced in performing uses a wide range of techniques to provide you with the results that you desire. Depending on the specific procedure being performed, you may experience improvement including:

• Increased comfort when exercising, such as when riding a bicycle
• Less visible and less prominent labia when wearing tight-fitting clothes
• Reduction of excess or loose tissue
• Tightening of the vaginal opening
• More desirable cosmetic appearance
• Improved sexual function
• More clitoral or vaginal sensitivity and enhanced ability to reach orgasm
• Enhanced self-esteem

The specific benefits you can expect from your procedure will depend on the type of labiaplasty you choose. Dr. Yarinsky will provide you with a realistic understanding of what your procedure can help you improve.

Labiaplasty and Vaginal Rejuvenation Procedures

Female intimate surgery is performed at our in-office operating suite for added convenience, comfort, and privacy. Our facility has been accredited by The Joint Commission, the “Gold Standard” for safety in healthcare. Depending on preference and your unique needs, either local or general anesthesia will be used for your procedure. Labial surgery can take anywhere from one to three hours to complete. Some of the techniques provided by Dr. Yarinsky include (click on each procedure to learn more):

• Labiaplasty

  Labiaplasty is designed to reduce the size of the labia majora or labia minora so they are balanced with each other. For reducing the inner lips or labia minora, Dr. Yarinsky most often utilizes the central wedge technique, invented by labiaplasty expert Dr. Gary Alter, as seen in the past on Doctor 90210. Compared with an edge trim technique for reducing the labia minora, the wedge procedure provides more symmetry, nearly invisible scars and can significantly reduce after-surgery discomfort and pain. The double wedge resection also reduces the clitoral hood skin excess to provide a balanced, more symmetrical appearance and overall trimmer look to the labia minora. Dr. Yarinsky will explain the different techniques, and which one will provide you with the best possible result at your personalized consultation.

• Clitoral Hood Reduction

  Clitoral hood reduction can shorten excess skin hanging over your clitoris. Dr. Yarinsky carefully excises this tissue utilizing the Alter wedge technique to minimize the risk of post-operative numbness or loss of sensation.

• Hymen Repair Surgery

  Hymen repair surgery is performed to reconstruct a ruptured or injured hymen, which is the membrane that helps close the internal vaginal opening. Through surgical repair, Dr. Yarinsky can reverse the breaking of the hymen that can occur following penetrative sexual intercourse, or after using tampons or undergoing vigorous exercise.

• Liposuction of the Pubic Mound and Labia Majora Regions

  Liposuction can be performed on the pubic mound (the area above the pubic bone) as well as the outer or larger labia majora – two areas that tend to accumulate fat. Through liposuction, Dr. Yarinsky can reduce the excess fat, eliminating the undesirable, bothersome prominence that can occur.

• Labia Majora Reduction –Reducing the “Camel Toe”

  Labia majoraplasty reduces the size of the bigger outer vagina lips (labia majora). Heredity, weight gain, childbirth and aging can lead to larger labia majora with loose skin and/or excess fat present beneath the skin. This leads to the embarrassing appearance of the “camel toe” or bulge when wearing tight clothing such as undergarments, yoga pants, tight jeans, and bathing suits. If liposuction alone doesn’t adequately reduce the labia majora, Dr. Yarinsky surgically removes skin and underlying fat, hiding the scar in the groove located between the outer and inner lips (between the labia majora and labia minora). This effectively reduces the appearance of or totally eliminates the “camel toe” and has helped many of his patients to look and feel their best.

• Labial Puff

  Many women develop skin looseness and loss of volume of the labia majora as they age. Decreases in estrogen may contribute to aging in this delicate area just like in the face. After childbirth and around menopause are common times when women notice this condition. Skin wrinkling and loss of volume can be corrected with the injection of one’s own body fat or other injectable filler such as JUVÉDERM^® or RADIESSE^®. The Labial Puff procedure is designed to fill the labia majora or outer lips/labia to help conceal the labia minora and create a more pleasing youthful appearance.

• Vaginal Tightening / Perineoplasty

  Vaginal tightening can be accomplished with a wedge-style labia majora reduction done alone or with a perineoplasty. The perineoplasty is a surgical reconstruction or repair of the area between the vaginal opening and the anus which is prone to damage during childbirth. The skin of the posterior vaginal opening may naturally tear with delivery or be damaged with an episiotomy (surgical division of skin by your gynecologist at the time of birth of your child). A tear in this area results in a larger or gaping vaginal opening which can lead to reduced sensation during vaginal intercourse for you and your partner. Perineoplasty can restore the correct size of the perineum and in doing so reduces the diameter of the vaginal opening. Dr. Yarinsky removes excess or loose perineal skin and stitches together the underlying lateral muscles and skin in a layered fashion to narrow the vaginal opening. This tighter opening may result in improved sexual function due to more friction, sensation, and enhanced gratification from sexual activity.

  Dr. Yarinsky uses absorbable sutures for female intimate surgery Discomfort is typically minimal after these procedures. After the initial healing process, at about 6 weeks after surgery, scars are virtually undetectable.

Is Vaginal Rejuvenation Safe?

Vaginal rejuvenation procedures, such as labiaplasty, are considered safe with a minimal risk of complications when carefully planned and executed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Yarinsky. The most important step in your decision to undergo this specialized type of surgery is finding the right physician. Take your time with researching professionals, and choose a qualified surgeon that will perform a thorough evaluation and assessment prior to surgery to determine your candidacy.

Having over 25 years of experience performing female intimate surgery, Dr. Yarinsky takes every precaution to minimize risks during the procedure and optimize post-operative recovery and healing. Additionally, the in-office surgical facility at Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery is accredited by the Joint Commission, an elite status known as the “Gold Standard” for ensuring safety and exceptional care.

Non-Surgical Vaginal and Labial Tightening

As an alternative to female intimate surgery, many women are candidates for the new non-surgical procedure known as ThermiVa^®. This technology is the first and only heat-controlled system that uses radiofrequency energy to treat both vaginal and labial tissue. ThermiVa^® has proven to help tighten loose tissue, improve muscular contraction, improve lubrication, decrease stress urinary incontinence, and enhance sexual intimacy. The thin “S”-shaped handpiece the diameter of your little finger is guided to warm and gently massage the target area to specifically address each woman’s concerns. A groundbreaking advancement in vaginal rejuvenation, the “RealSelf” highly rated ThermiVa^® is a viable option for women who wish to restore their body to a more youthful state following childbirth or weight loss by reversing the effects of menopause and aging on vaginal health and appearance. ThermiVa^® can reclaim your vaginal health, restore your satisfaction, and revive your relationship!

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What Can I Expect in My Recovery from Labiaplasty?

While recovery following female intimate surgery will vary based on the specific procedures performed, the majority of the recovery is typically about five to six days before you can return to work. To aid in healing, Dr. Yarinsky prescribes patients oral antibiotics and provides instructions for local wound care with antibiotic ointment. Patients can resume most activities by the second week and should wait about six to 10 weeks to resume sexual intercourse, strenuous exercise, using tampons and any activities that would place pressure on the groin region. Any discomfort felt throughout the recovery can be controlled with oral medication.

After their labiaplasty, Dr. Yarinsky’s patients often report that they no longer experience the pain, irritation, or chafing they once felt from routine activities, and love their trimmer labial appearance and feel a new sense of confidence. An area of their body that bothered them physically, or visually, is no longer a bother and they go on to live more fulfilling and enriched lives. In labiaplasty like other cosmetic procedures the catchphrase “look good – feel good” definitely applies.

How Long Do Vaginal Rejuvenation Results Last?

Vaginal rejuvenation surgery offers long-lasting or permanent results, and you should be able to enjoy your results for many years. Keep in mind, however, that your body will continue to evolve with age, and you may develop new concerns in the future. While female intimate surgery cannot “wear off,” non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation with ThermiVa does require touch-up treatments to maintain your results long-term. Depending on the details of your treatment plan, Dr. Yarinsky will provide you with a description and understanding of what you can expect with your results.

Will I Have Noticeable Scars from My Vaginal Rejuvenation?

Scarring after vaginal rejuvenation surgery with Dr. Yarinsky is usually minimal. Using meticulous surgical skill, he makes small incisions in the natural folds and creases, ensuring they are virtually undetectable. Over time, your scars should continue to fade, and the tissue should soften. While it typically takes six weeks to reach the 90% point in scar maturation and healing, the remaining 10% occurs over the course of a year. While the location of your scars will vary based on the procedure you have done, Dr. Yarinsky will help you understand how to practice proper wound care to ensure you heal well and experience nearly invisible scarring.

What Are the Side Effects of Vaginal Rejuvenation?

As with any surgery, there are potential complications and side effects that can occur after a vaginal rejuvenation procedure. Common side effects that should quickly fade as your body heals include discomfort, swelling, bruising, and changes in sensation. Although exceedingly rare, other side effects that may occur with vaginal rejuvenation can include infection, poor wound healing, pain with sex, pain followed by numbness or burning sensation, loss of sensitivity, dryness, loss of urine retention, and severe scarring. In most cases, these symptoms will dissipate with time, healing, and are minimized by following all post-procedure recovery instructions.

As an expert in vaginal rejuvenation, Dr. Yarinsky uses his meticulous surgical skills and consultation process to create a thorough surgical plan custom-tailored to the patient. Generally, with labiaplasty procedures, he prefers to use the wedge resection technique (V-shaped “wedges” are removed from both sides of the labia and the remaining edges are stitched back together), as it is designed to provide better symmetry, a more natural appearance, a nearly invisible and less painful scar, and can significantly reduce post-procedure discomfort and pain.

To learn if female intimate surgery is the best method for addressing your needs, please contact Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery with any questions you may have, or to schedule your consultation with Dr. Yarinsky.