Vaginal rejuvenation, encompassing procedures like labiaplasty and vaginoplasty, offers both aesthetic and functional benefits. This guide, authored by the esteemed Dr. Paul Vitenas, delves into the intricacies of these procedures, recovery processes, and long-term effects, providing a holistic understanding for those considering this transformative journey.
Understanding Vaginal Rejuvenation Procedures: Vaginal rejuvenation includes several surgical options, each tailored to individual needs.
- Labiaplasty: Focuses on reshaping or resizing the labia minora or majora for comfort and aesthetics.
- Vaginoplasty: Tightens the vaginal canal, often sought after childbirth or due to aging.
- Clitoral Hood Reduction: Enhances sexual pleasure by reducing excess skin around the clitoris.
Each procedure, performed under anesthesia, involves specific techniques and goals, ensuring personalized care and results.
Take Time Off From Work
How much time you’ll need off from work after vaginal rejuvenation depends on the type or types of surgery you had. After labiaplasty, you might feel well enough to return to the office the next day. Patients who had vaginoplasty usually find that they want at least one, if not two, weeks off from their job.
If your job and budget allow it, it can be a good idea to take more time off than you think you’ll need. For example, even though you might feel up to heading back to work the day after labiaplasty, you might also feel better if you give yourself another day or two to rest.
Recovery Phases and Tips: Recovery varies by procedure but generally follows a similar trajectory:
- Initial Recovery (1-2 weeks): Expect mild discomfort, swelling, and limited mobility. Rest and ice packs are crucial.
- Intermediate Phase (2-6 weeks): Gradual return to normal activities, avoiding strenuous exercises or sexual activities.
- Long-Term Healing (6 weeks onwards): Full healing, with most patients resuming all activities, including sexual intercourse.
Get Childcare Help
Part of ensuring a comfortable recovery after vaginal rejuvenation is finding ways to keep your stress levels low. One way to do that is to make sure you have plenty of help at home, especially if you have young children.
Even if you don’t usually work with a nanny or babysitter, now might be the time to hire one, at least temporarily. They can look after the kids, help them with their homework, and generally keep them out of your hair so that you can focus on healing.
Another option is to have your kids visit family or close friends for a week or weekend. When the kids are out of the house, you’ll be able to focus on your comfort and won’t feel stressed about any arguments or concerns they might have.
Prep Before the Surgery
Preparing as much as possible for your recovery before your surgery will help make the recovery period go as smoothly as possible. Along with scheduling time off from work and finding someone to look after your kids, there are several other things you can do to prepare for the recovery period.
For example, you might want to find ways to occupy your time quietly by lining up books to read or movies to watch. You might also want to schedule a meal delivery service or prep several meals that you can simply reheat and eat. If you don’t have someone who cleans your house regularly already, you might consider hiring someone to do light dusting and vacuuming while you rest.
Potential Risks and How to Mitigate Them: While generally safe, potential risks include infection, scarring, and changes in sensation. Choosing a qualified surgeon like Dr. Vitenas and following post-operative instructions meticulously can significantly reduce these risks.
Long-Term Effects and Benefits: Patients often report enhanced self-confidence, comfort in clothing, and improved sexual satisfaction. The psychological benefits, coupled with the physical improvements, contribute to an overall enhanced quality of life.
Use Ice Packs
Some swelling and bruising in the vaginal area are to be expected after your surgery. You can ease any discomfort in the area and help to bring down swelling by applying an ice pack or cold compress to the area. To ensure your comfort and safety, don’t put ice right on the skin. Instead, wrap the ice pack in a soft towel first.
You might also find that taking pain relievers helps to improve your comfort after surgery. Your plastic surgeon can give you a prescription or recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever to try.
Spray, Don’t Wipe
Whether you had vaginal rejuvenation or not, it’s always a good idea to treat the genital area gently, especially after using the bathroom. Gentle treatment is particularly critical after your surgery. You don’t want to disturb the sutures or irritate any incisions.
For that reason, it’s recommended that you spray the area with a small amount of water rather than wipe it after using the bathroom, at least during the initial recovery period.
Keep Clothing Loose
To minimize pressure on the healing area and to keep irritation at bay, choose the clothing you wear after your vaginal surgery carefully. Loose-fitting, breathable clothing is best. Choose comfortable cotton briefs or boy shorts rather than shapewear or thongs.
Wait for Sex
Although one of the reasons you might have decided to have vaginal rejuvenation was to rejuvenate your sex life, it’s important to give your body time to fully heal after surgery before you have intercourse or sexual contact again.
Your surgeon will let you know when it’s OK to resume sexual activity. Usually, you can expect to wait about four to six weeks after surgery before sex is back on the table again.
Hold Off on Exercise
Exercise, particularly exercise that will put pressure on the vaginal area, is also off of the table for weeks, if not months, after your surgery. Your plastic surgeon might give you the all-clear to take short walks starting a day or two after the procedure. But activities such as swimming, cycling or horseback riding should be postponed for at least six to eight weeks.
With many years of experience in cosmetic surgery, Dr. Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in vaginal rejuvenation. His expertise, coupled with a commitment to patient care, makes him a trusted choice for those seeking cosmetic gynecological procedures.
You can discuss the recovery process following vaginal rejuvenation more in-depth during your consultation with a plastic surgeon. Dr. Paul Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon with a well-known practice in Houston, Texas. He’s available to answer any questions you have about vaginal rejuvenation, and what to expect after surgery. Book your consultation online or call 281-484-0088 to set up an appointment.