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Labiaplasty reshapes or reduces the labia minora – the inner folds of skin around the vaginal opening. You might choose this surgery because you feel uncomfortable during exercise, sitting, sexual intercourse or when wearing certain clothing. Or for reasons linked to confidence, changes after childbirth, or a wish for greater symmetry.

The aim is a natural result that feels comfortable in your daily life. Surgery removes only the excess tissue while protecting your sensitivity and the normal contours of the area.

Key facts about Labiaplasty

Benefits of Labiaplasty

Reduced rubbing and irritation caret-down

Removing excess tissue can ease discomfort you get from your clothing, exercise, or movement.

Improved comfort during daily activities caret-down

Many people feel more at ease sitting, walking or being active after surgery.

Support with hygiene and skin health caret-down

Less moisture or friction can help reduce infections or irritation.

 

A shape that feels more balanced to you caret-down

Surgery can improve symmetry or contour while keeping the area looking natural.

Emotional and psychological wellbeing caret-down

Research shows that when physical discomfort is reduced, many people also feel calmer and more confident in their bodies.

Who labiaplasty may help

Labiaplasty may help if you:

  • Have discomfort from enlarged or uneven labia
  • Experience rubbing, chafing or hygiene difficulties
  • Notice changes after childbirth or ageing
  • Feel self-conscious about labial shape
  • Prefer a more balanced or symmetrical contour
  • Are in good general health and a non-smoker

Labiaplasty may not be the right choice if you:

  • Have active infections or skin conditions
  • Are unable to stop smoking or nicotine use before and after surgery
  • Expect a completely “perfect” or uniform appearance
  • Are pregnant or planning pregnancy very soon
  • Require major reshaping beyond safe surgical limits

Your Journey

We support you through surgery and beyond

1

Your consultation caret-down

 

Your consultation will be private and unhurried. Examination will always take place with a female chaperone present. You’ll have time to speak openly about your reasons for considering surgery, any symptoms you’re experiencing, and what you hope to achieve. Your surgeon will examine the area gently, explain the techniques, and discuss expected healing and scarring. Afterwards, you’ll receive a personalised clinic letter summarising everything discussed.

2

Pre-surgery preparation caret-down

 

To help you prepare safely:

  • You may need blood tests or an ECG (if having sedation or general anaesthetic)
  • Avoid shaving or waxing in the 48 hours before surgery
  • Stop HRT and oral contraceptives 6 weeks before
  • Stop GLP-1 weight-loss medication 3 weeks before and after
  • Continue GLP-1 medication if used for diabetes
  • Stop aspirin/clopidogrel 7 days before (unless advised otherwise)
  • Stop Factor Xa inhibitors  (eg Riveroxiban, Apixaban, Edoxiban etc.) 48 hours before (unless advised otherwise)
  • Avoid smoking for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery
  • Avoid food or drink after 10 p.m. the night before (if under general anaesthetic)
  • Arrange for someone to accompany you home and stay with you for 24 hours

3

Day of surgery caret-down

 

You’ll meet your surgeon and anaesthetist to review your plan and confirm your consent. Labiaplasty can be done under local anaesthetic (awake but comfortable) or general anaesthetic (more typical).

Your surgeon will use one of two techniques:

  • Edge resection (trimming): A small amount of tissue is removed along the outer edge of the labia minora to create a smoother, neater contour.
  • Central wedge resection: A small wedge of tissue is removed from the middle of the labia, keeping the natural edge and its pigmentation.

Both methods aim to protect sensation and create a natural, balanced shape. Absorbable stitches and a light dressing are applied. Most people go home the same day.

4

Treatment and recovery caret-down

 

Swelling, bruising and sensitivity are normal in the first few days. Keep the area clean using gentle rinsing after passing urine. Wear loose cotton underwear and avoid friction. Light activity usually resumes after 1 – 2 weeks. Avoid tight clothing, exercise, tampons and sexual activity for 6 – 8 weeks, or until your surgeon confirms it is safe. Attend your follow-up appointment to check your healing.

Led by experience

At The Antler Clinic, you’ll be cared for by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr David Izadi, whose work combines advanced surgical expertise with the calm, honest approach patients value most.

With over two decades of experience in reconstructive, aesthetic, and hand surgery, including international fellowships in rhinoplasty and hand surgery, and a dedicated cosmetic surgery fellowship. 

Every plan begins with listening to what matters most to you.

Frequently asked questions about labiaplasty

A quick guide to the things most people want to know before and after their procedure.

Why would someone get a labiaplasty? caret-down

Labiaplasty can help if you have discomfort from rubbing, exercise, sitting, sexual intercourse or clothing. Some people choose the procedure for symmetry or confidence. Others come after pregnancy or age-related changes.

Does labiaplasty make you tighter? caret-down

Labiaplasty reshapes the labia minora only. It does not tighten the vagina or vaginal muscles. It is not a vaginal tightening procedure.

How painful is labiaplasty? caret-down

Most people describe mild to moderate discomfort for a few days. Pain relief is provided, and swelling settles gradually over the first few weeks.

How long does swelling last after labiaplasty? caret-down

Swelling is most noticeable in the first week and improves steadily over 2–3 weeks. Final settling can take several months.

Will I lose feeling after labiaplasty? caret-down

Temporary numbness is common after labiaplasty. Permanent changes in sensation are rare but possible. Your surgeon will explain how these risks are reduced.

Can you still get wet after labiaplasty? caret-down

Labiaplasty does not affect arousal, your natural lubrication or your sexual function.

Do labia grow back after labiaplasty? caret-down

Removed tissue does not grow back after a labiaplasty. Natural changes may still occur over time as you age, your hormones change, or due to childbirth.

Will labiaplasty leave scars? caret-down

All labiaplasty involves scarring, but stitches are placed to help scars sit within natural folds. Your scars will soften and fade over several months.

How long until I can have sex after labiaplasty? caret-down

Most people wait 6 – 8 weeks before sexual activity. You should only start having sex again when you’re fully healed and cleared by your surgeon.

Is labiaplasty life-changing? caret-down

Many people report a significant improvement in comfort and confidence, especially if their symptoms affected how they exercised, the clothes they wore, or intimacy.

How much does labiaplasty cost in the UK? caret-down

Costs vary depending on the technique and whether a local or general anaesthetic is used. You will receive a clear, personalised quote after consultation.

What are the risks of labioplasty? caret-down

These will be covered by your surgeon in detail at your consultation. Risks include bleeding, infection, pain, wound separation, delayed healing, asymmetry, fistula, and haematoma.

clear and transparent costs

Pricing and Finance

You will receive a clear quotation setting out the cost of your treatment and what is included before you decide whether to proceed.

Consultation Fees caret-down

A new consultation is charged at £200.

Follow-up consultations are charged at £150, unless the appointment forms part of an agreed surgical package or postoperative follow-up pathway.

Consultation fees are payable regardless of whether surgery is subsequently arranged. A consultation provides assessment, advice and discussion of treatment options; it does not guarantee that surgery will be recommended or offered.

Non-Attendance and Late Cancellation caret-down

Patients are kindly asked to provide at least three working days’ notice if they need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.

Non-attendance, or cancellation with less than three working days’ notice, will incur a fee of £125. This fee reflects the clinical time reserved for the appointment and the difficulty of offering the appointment to another patient at short notice.

Self-Pay Surgery Packages caret-down

For self-pay patients, surgery is usually provided as a fixed-price package. This is intended to give patients clarity and reassurance about the cost of their planned procedure.

Your written quotation will confirm what is included. In most cases, the package price includes:

  • Hospital fees for the planned procedure

  • Surgeon’s fee

  • Anaesthetist’s fee, where applicable

  • Standard postoperative follow-up appointments relating to the procedure

  • Routine aftercare directly related to the planned surgery, as specified in your quotation

Package prices are based on the procedure agreed at the time of booking. If the surgical plan changes, if additional procedures are requested, or if further treatment is required outside the agreed package, additional fees may apply.

Complication Cover caret-down

Self-pay surgical packages usually include a period of cover for the treatment of complications directly related to the procedure. The exact terms, duration and exclusions of this cover are set by the hospital where your surgery is performed.

Depending on the hospital, complication cover may apply for a defined period, which may be 6 or 12 months. Full details will be provided by the relevant hospital before surgery.

Complication cover is not a guarantee that all future treatment, revision surgery or additional procedures will be provided without charge. Cover may not apply to unrelated medical problems, pre-existing conditions, treatment required outside the hospital’s terms, or surgery requested for aesthetic preference rather than a recognised complication.

In an emergency, patients should seek urgent medical attention through the most appropriate service, including NHS emergency care where necessary.

Revision Surgery and Further Procedures caret-down

Every effort is made to achieve the best possible outcome, but no surgical procedure can guarantee a specific result, perfect symmetry, invisible scarring or complete satisfaction. Healing, scarring, swelling and final results vary between individuals.

If revision surgery is required because of a complication, eligibility for cover will depend on the hospital’s package terms and the clinical circumstances.

If surgery has been performed to an appropriate clinical standard, but a patient remains dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome or wishes to pursue further refinement, any revision or additional surgery will usually incur further charges. These may include hospital fees, surgeon’s fees and anaesthetic fees.

Additional Costs and Exclusions caret-down

Unless specifically included in your written quotation, additional costs may apply for investigations, scans, specialist opinions, extra procedures, further hospital admissions, prescriptions, dressings, garments, travel, accommodation, time off work or treatment unrelated to the planned surgery.

The written quotation and the hospital’s own terms and conditions will take precedence over any general information provided on this website.

Payment Terms caret-down

Payment terms, deposits, cancellation policies and refund arrangements are determined by the hospital where your procedure is booked. These will be provided to you before surgery.

Surgery can only proceed once all required payments have been received and all relevant consent, preoperative assessment and hospital requirements have been completed.

Finance caret-down

To help make treatment more affordable, you may choose to spread the cost of your procedure through a personal medical loan with Chrysalis Finance. Subject to eligibility and approval, Chrysalis offers a range of flexible finance options, allowing you to pay for your treatment in manageable monthly instalments rather than a single upfront payment.

The hospitals we work with offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance. Please contact your chosen hospital directly for further information or to discuss any questions.

 

Get in Touch

Your next step starts with a conversation.

A consultation at The Antler Clinic is simply a chance to talk – to ask questions, explore your options, and decide what feels right for you.

You’ll leave with clarity, reassurance, and the same calm support that defines everything we do.

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