INTIMATE (FEMALE)
The esthetic and reparative procedures are already part of the everyday life of many Brazilians and, more and more, can be done to increase the quality of life and self-esteem. For women, for example, there are techniques to improve several parts of the body, including the intimate parts. Increasingly independent and empowered, women are seeking their freedom and achievements. This is reflected, even, in correcting something in their bodies that they don’t like or feel uncomfortable with.
Did you know that the women who most undergo plastic surgery in the vulva region are Brazilian? According to a survey by ISAPS (International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery), there were about 21,000 surgeries of this type performed in 2017 in Brazil alone.
WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT IS DONE
Before we talk about the female Intimate surgery, anatomically it is important to define what is vulva: it corresponds to the set of external and visible female genital organs composed by the labia majora, labia minora, mount of Venus or pubis, clitoris, vagina or vaginal introitus (internal channel that extends from the vulva to the cervix), among others.
The women who are adept at waxing (hot) can have a darker vulva region. For those who feel uncomfortable, there are a series of (non-invasive) treatments that aim at improving the aspect of the skin, making it lighter, such as the use of whitening creams in the groin and in the upper part of the Mount of Venus. The fractional laser stimulates collagen production, helping to lighten the skin. Just like the facial and body peeling, the treatment done in the vulva region has the objective of renewing the cells and contributing with its whitening.
Another option is the microdermabrasion that throws a jet of particles to stimulate the production of collagen. Similarly, radiofrequency devices release an energy different from that of the laser to make the intimate region lighter. Our advice is that these treatments should be done under the supervision of a gynecologist and/or dermatologist.
Our area of expertise is if a woman is bothered by the appearance of some organ in her vulva. If it is indicated, we perform the female Intimate surgery with the objective of improving and correcting the aesthetic and, also, functional problems. Depending on the organ of the vulva, we have the following surgical techniques:
Filling – The filling technique is used to restore volume and improve the aesthetic appearance of the labia majora and labia minora. Generally, after the age of 35, women may experience a drop in hormone levels, causing a loss of volume and elasticity of the labia majora and labia minora. One of the injectable substances we use is synthetic hyaluronic acid. All the injected volume is absorbed between 6 and 8 months, and new applications are necessary to maintain the desired volume. The other substance is autogenous fat that is removed (and treated) from the body itself through liposuction. While the acid acts temporarily, the fat acts permanently, although part of it is absorbed by the body. In this case, we can schedule one more application to reach the desired volume.
Labioplasty – Known as Labia Minor Hypertrophy Correction or Nymphoplasty, it is the surgical technique that aims to reduce the size and correct asymmetries of the labia minora. In this condition, they acquire a disproportionate size that sometimes becomes exposed over the labia majora. This gives the appearance of excess skin and flaccidity, which is what most embarrasses many women. Besides the aesthetic discomfort due to the excessive size (they become apparent in tighter clothes such as gym clothes, for example), it can hinder hygiene and ventilation of the site, increase the risk of infection, and make sexual intercourse uncomfortable. The causes can be congenital (it can be noticed in adolescence), friction due to sports (cycling, horse riding etc.), use of anabolic steroids, post-pregnancy, among others. It is the most requested and performed female Intimate surgery technique in Brazil.
Labia Majoraplasty – It is the surgical technique that aims to reduce the size and correct asymmetries of the labia majora. When they become too flaccid – after 45 / 50 years of age or post-pregnancy, most of the times – they lose their ability to close completely over the labia minora and clitoris, leaving them apparent. When necessary, we combine exeresis of the excess skin and filling with hyaluronic acid or autogenous fat.
Liposuction – We use this surgical technique to remove excess fat from the Mount of Venus, where most of the pubic hair is concentrated. Some women are embarrassed, because this part of the vulva becomes prominent due to the fat, causing a bulging effect and revealing extra volume, often noticeable in bikinis or tight clothes. It can happen, even in thin women. Usually, we make three incisions of 0.39 inches each to aspirate the fat with special syringes (cannulas) of small caliber.
Clitoral Hood Reduction – This is the surgical technique that aims to correct clitoral hypertrophy through the removal of a small portion of skin that covers the clitoris (prepuce) so that it can be exposed when reaching full sexual excitement through contact and friction. Clitoral hypertrophy is frequent among women who take male hormones for aesthetic purposes. Of all the intimate surgical techniques, it is the most complex, because there is a risk of affecting local sensitivity and diminishing the sensation of sexual pleasure.
Vaginoplasty – The surgical technique promotes the narrowing of the vagina (channel from the hymen region to the uterus). Enlargement of the vagina can cause decreased sensitivity and can result from a complicated normal birth or even with advancing age (after the age of 40), weakening the muscles in the region. This condition often leads to dystopias such as prolapse (descent) of the uterus and the bladder into the vaginal canal.
The techniques used in the female Intimate surgery are relatively simple and can be done with local anesthesia and sedation. After we make an evaluation of the real need for the surgery and verify that it is indicated, we do several exams and detailed analysis to make the best surgical planning. The procedures take, on average, 40 minutes and the patient is released on the same day.
It is important to point out that there is no aesthetic standard for the vulva that is considered “ideal” or “perfect”. In fact, diversity is the most wonderful thing of (and in) all species!
INDICATION
When it is properly indicated by a specialist professional, plastic surgery meets a series of needs for body aesthetic and, consequently, psychological improvement. It is even better if the patient is healthy and without any life-threatening or medical conditions that could impair healing, with a positive attitude and realistic expectation of the surgical result.
Aesthetic, physical, psychological and functional inconveniences have always been part of the day to day of many women when the subject is the vulva. Added to this are the difficulty in cleaning the region, infections, inconvenience in doing physical exercises, difficulty in urinating, pain during sexual intercourse, loss of pleasure and even indiscreet glances directed to the protruding contours that appear in tight clothes.
Lately, women of various age groups have rejected feeling uncomfortable, especially if it affects their sexuality. They want the organs of their vulva to be symmetrical and proportional. So much so that Brazilian women are the ones who most undergo Intimate surgery procedures in the world.
The procedures are contraindicated for women with active skin infection in the region, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and uncontrolled asthma. There is no contraindication for pregnancy after the surgery, but the recovery period must be respected, which is usually calm.
PREOPERATIVE
It is very important that you consult the SCHEDULED THE SURGERY? page which has a series of questions to talk about during the consultations, to help you with your doubts and where you will find recommendations for the day of the procedure.
Besides that, there follows a checklist to help you organize yourself before the female Intimate surgery:
🅐 The surgery must be performed outside the menstrual period, to facilitate sanitation and healing.
🅑 Inform us in case of menstrual delay or possibility of being pregnant.
🅒 If you have any, remove the piercings from the region.
🅓 Take a shower using intimate antiseptic soap.
🅔 Wax the hair of the entire vulva region, avoiding wounds or scratches. We will pass on more specific recommendations, if necessary.
🅕 Make sure that during this most critical period of recovery, from 1 to 2 weeks, nobody depends on you in the family or at work. Following the planning to the letter is to ensure the desired results.
POSTOPERATIVE
After the surgery, according to the needs of each case, the patient is released after a few hours up to 24 hours of hospitalization, always taking into account her comfort and safety. It is normal to have edemas in the areas that received the acid and fat injections. Cold compresses on these areas for a few days are a good option.
Depending on the surgical technique (and on each patient), it is possible that in the first days there may be seroma production (accumulation of liquids in the operated area), edema (swelling), temporary loss of sensibility, pain (light to moderate), ecchymoses (purple spot), hypertrophy and hyperchromia of the scar, surface irregularities, hardening of the liposuctioned area etc.
As the procedures are done on an organ that is located in a sitting and moving position, the post-operative period can be uncomfortable for the first few days. The first 2 days must be of absolute rest, which is fundamental for healing. Afterwards, do not remain lying or sitting for prolonged periods. Get up and move around at home, but avoid great efforts. Wait 30 to 40 days to have sexual intercourse and ride a bicycle.
Opt for lighter food on day 1 (fruit, soup, gelatin, fiber, liquids etc.). From the 2nd day of the procedure on, you can eat practically anything, but food with a minimum of salt in order not to increase swelling, and mainly protein-based (meat, milk, eggs) and vitamin-based (fruit). Drink plenty of liquids. Do not go on a diet or weight loss regime until you are cleared by your doctor. Alcoholic beverages, smoking, saunas, and very hot baths must be avoided during the entire recovery period.
Pay good attention to the hygiene of the area that must be washed, for example, with baby shampoo with neutral pH because of its mild cleaning and because it does not harm the skin. Try to wear clothes that are easy to put on and take off, and that do not irritate the vulva area, at least during the first 2 weeks.
After 1 week it is already possible to return moderately to daily activities, but without physical effort and try to limit sudden and large movements with the legs. Light exercises (such as walking and stretching) from 1 to 2 weeks are allowed, as well as driving. More intense physical activities and contact sports after evaluation. Avoid as much as possible exposure of the scars to the sun for at least 3 months; after that, always use sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF (sun protection factor).