Recovery and aftercare labiaplasty

Read all aftercare information and our advice on how to recover optimally from a labiaplasty here. Please read this carefully, as proper aftercare can make a significant difference in the final result.

Availability after the procedure:

During office hours (09:00 – 17:00), you can reach us at: 088 – 0042 702. Outside office hours, for emergencies, call the emergency number we provided after your procedure. The on-call doctor is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you reach our voicemail, please leave your name and phone number, and we will call you back as soon as possible.

The following symptoms are NORMAL after surgery:

• The labia and surrounding area may be painful and swollen. Be prepared for this, especially in the first few days after the procedure. Cooling with an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas can help relieve pain and reduce swelling.
• You may experience temporary numbness in the treated area.
• As with any surgical procedure, the body needs time to heal. The area around the labia will initially appear bruised, swollen, and possibly discolored. Scars may also be red and raised shortly after the procedure. Don’t be alarmed — this is a natural reaction of the body.
• The genital area has a rich blood supply, which supports quick healing. On average, full recovery takes several weeks. The treated area may feel uncomfortable, tight, or tense. This is completely normal and not a cause for concern. Bruising and swelling of the labia usually begin to subside after about three days and, in most cases, disappear within a few weeks.
• Some light bleeding may occur after the procedure. This can continue for the first few days and is considered normal.
• If you experience heavier bleeding, roll up a towel tightly, place it between your legs, and sit on it for 10–15 minutes. This acts as a pressure bandage and will help reduce the bleeding.

Important: do not sit on a ring cushion or inflatable swim ring, as this may increase swelling and discomfort.

The following symptoms are NOT NORMAL after surgery:

If any of the following symptoms occur in the days after your procedure, you must contact us immediately:

• Excessive swelling with dark purple discoloration, on one or both sides
• Active bleeding that does not stop after applying pressure with a compress for 5 minutes
• Pain that does not subside with painkillers, or pain that increases in the days following the surgery
• Pus formation and fever

Advice after the procedure:

Driving after surgery

You should not drive yourself home after the procedure. Depending on your recovery you can start driving again after one week.

Aspirine, Ibuprofen and Paracetamol

In the first few days, you may take two Paracetamol (500 mg) tablets every 4–6 hours. Once the pain decreases, you can reduce this to one Paracetamol (500 mg) tablet every 4–6 hours. If needed, you may also take Ibuprofen (400 mg) in addition to the Paracetamol. Any other medication or pain relief should be taken as prescribed by the doctor.

Cooling

For the first few days, it is advisable to cool the area for 10–15 minutes every hour using an ice pack, which we will provide. Please make sure to always place a piece of gauze or a clean cloth between the ice pack and your skin.

Towel

We advise you to sit on a tightly rolled-up towel as much as possible for the first three days after the procedure. This acts as a pressure bandage and helps minimize any swelling.

Resting

It is very important to take one full week of rest after the procedure. Make sure someone is nearby to assist you if needed.

Showering

You can shower with the stitches in place. We recommend gently rinsing the wound twice a day using the showerhead. Make sure the water is not too warm to prevent bleeding. Taking a hot bath is strongly discouraged for 4–6 weeks after the procedure, as it may increase swelling.

Exercise / physical activity

We advise against exercising or performing any heavy physical activity during the first 4–6 weeks after the procedure.

Sex

We advise avoiding sexual intercourse for the first 6 weeks after the procedure. It creates too much friction and increases the risk of infection.

Urinating

After urinating, rinse briefly with water.

Work

Heavy physical work should be avoided for at least the first four weeks.

Menstruation

We advise against using tampons for the first 6 weeks after the procedure. Our recommendation is to use sanitary pads and gently rinse with the showerhead twice a day. You may also use menstrual underwear — these are specially designed panties that absorb menstrual blood and light urine leakage, so you don’t have to use tampons or pads. Moodies Undies offers a wide selection of menstrual underwear.

Do you have questions or doubts? Please contact us at:

P: +31 (0)88 – 0042702
E: info@v-klinieken.nl

Follow-up appointment

Two weeks after the procedure, you will return to the clinic for your first follow-up appointment, during which the stitches will be removed. After 5–6 months, you will come back for a final check-up with your treating doctor. During this appointment, it will be determined whether any additional correction is necessary.

Result labiaplasty

Do not expect immediate results after a labiaplasty. In the first few weeks after the procedure, the treated area may still feel tight or tense. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about. After a few weeks, all swelling and bruising will have subsided, and the results will already be clearly visible. The final result will appear after several months, when the labia have fully settled and become a natural part of your body again.