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Choosing the right surgeon for labiaplasty surgery is one of the most critical decisions patients can make to get the best labiaplasty results. Unfortunately, not all surgeons have the right skills and experience to carry out labia reduction surgery competently. Revision labiaplasty may be required when poor results have been achieved following a primary procedure. Our surgeons regularly see patients who have had botched labiaplasty procedures performed elsewhere. We carry out over 150 labiaplasty procedures each year and increasingly carry out revision labiaplasty for women who have had surgery at another clinic.
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Many patients understandably come to us upset and distressed at the outcome of their procedure and are often keen to know if something can be done to improve their results. We always recommend, in the first instance, to be seen by your surgeon who originally carried out the procedure to see if anything can be done to correct your labiaplasty gone wrong. This is because your surgeon will clearly understand what was carried out in the first procedure and may already know what may need to be done as part of a revision labiaplasty procedure. If your surgeon is unable or unwilling to treat you, we may be able to help. The first step is to have a face-to-face consultation at our Baker Street clinic for a full clinical assessment. We ask that you bring any medical notes from your first procedure for your surgeon to review to enable her to form an accurate clinical assessment.
It is essential to be aware that the surgeon may be unable to correct your initial problem, and they certainly don’t want to make things worse. Your surgeon will aim to provide an honest and accurate clinical assessment of what can be done, if anything, to improve your labiaplasty results.
There are two types of labiaplasty procedures. The most common type is a labia minora reduction. Many women do not like their large labia, which may cause significant embarrassment, especially in personal relationships. While some women may have large labia from birth, others may develop enlarged labia with the ageing process or after experiencing childbirth.
Excessively large labia minora can rub on certain items of clothing, and this can cause significant pain and discomfort. Some women may have difficulty riding a bike, running or even walking. A labial reduction can significantly improve both the appearance of the enlarged labia and relieve symptoms of pain and discomfort. Labia majora reduction is commonly performed to reduce the size of enlarged labia majora. Large labia are most commonly caused by childbirth or by women who gain or lose significant amounts of weight. Liposuction may sometimes be an effective treatment for enlarged labia majora, although our surgeons recommend surgical removal as the first-line option.
Why do women have revision labiaplasty?
The most common reason for corrective surgery to be carried out is the excessive removal of too much labial tissue. Inexperienced surgeons often exert traction on the labia as they are making the incision, and this can result in too much tissue being removed as the labia are naturally elastic and will shrink in size after releasing the tissue. Excessive removal of labia minora can be complicated to surgically correct. In some cases, some extra tissue may be located at the bottom of the labia near the perineum or towards the upper end near the clitoral hood. In these cases, a V-Y reconstruction may be performed. Many experienced surgeons have difficulty managing excessive tissue around the clitoral hood and often leave excessive tissue behind in this area. This extra tissue can be very useful for reconstructive surgery when too much labia minora has been removed.
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Other reasons women may seek revision surgery for a botched labiaplasty include the surgeon using a poor surgical technique, which may result in the development of a haematoma. A haematoma is a collection of localised blood within the labia. The haematoma can prevent the suture line from healing adequately, leading to a wound breakdown. This can lead to an unsightly ‘step deformity’ on the labial edge. In some cases, your surgeon may be able to trim these edges, but in most cases, a repeat wedge technique may need to be performed. This second procedure may not heal as well as the primary surgery.
The least common type of botched labiaplasty result is because surgeons remove inadequate amounts of labial tissue during the first procedure. This problem most commonly arises from a lack of communication between the patient and surgeon regarding the amount of labial tissue to be surgically removed. Although from a reconstructive surgery point of view, removing less tissue than more at the first procedure is better, the patient has become unnecessarily subject to having a second revision labiaplasty procedure.
How to choose the best surgeon for labiaplasty
The best way to minimise the need for a second corrective labiaplasty procedure is to ensure it is carried out correctly in the first place. This is why it is essential for the surgeon to carry out meticulous preoperative planning. In a small number of cases, it may be challenging to achieve good results if the first procedure is not carried out correctly. Some patients may be suitable for a revision labiaplasty, but this will be determined case-by-case by a skilled labiaplasty surgeon.
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We recommend conducting detailed research on your choice of surgeon and clinic when considering labiaplasty surgery in London. It would be unwise to base your decision on the best labiaplasty surgeon on price alone. We continue to treat patients who have had botched labiaplasty procedures overseas, mainly from Turkey, who chose them based on low labiaplasty prices.
Revision labiaplasty often requires reconstructive surgery and can take at least 2 to 3 hours to carry out. It is always carried out under a general anaesthetic for your full comfort both during and after the procedure.
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If you are keen to learn more about correcting botched labiaplasty surgery and if you are a suitable candidate, please get in touch today on 020 7993 4849 and speak to one of our friendly and experienced patient coordinators. Please be advised that there is a non-refundable consultation fee for revision labiaplasty of £250 for the doctor’s detailed clinical assessment. You should also be aware that there is no guarantee that the surgeon will recommend surgery, as the results could be too severe to warrant a successful labia reconstruction procedure.
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