Vaginoplasty: Procedure, Cost, Risks & Benefits, Recovery

What is vaginoplasty?

Some common questions that arise are, ‘Where can I find a laser vaginal tightening near me?’ 

Does femilift really work? 

It is needless to say how important the decision of going under the knife can mean to a patient. But do not lose confidence; you can make the best decision with the best healthcare providers. 

We need to understand vaginoplasty is a general word for a package of cosmetic gynaecological surgeries rather than referring to a single specific procedure. 

Vaginoplasty is a procedure done under spinal or general anaesthesia that helps in the vaginal reconstruction of a human female to improve its function or to correct congenital or acquired anomalies. The surgery works especially well for women who have had a normal delivery. It can also be a part of gender-affirming surgery. 

What does vaginoplasty treat?

Vaginoplasty is performed to enhance sexual function and confidence, correct a congenital defect, and reduce gender dysphoria. It can comprise internal surgery to ameliorate the pelvis, bladder, or organs connected to sexual satisfaction to surgically detach skin to improve the aesthetics of the external appearance of the vagina.

Is vaginoplasty and vaginal rejuvenation the same?

Procedure 

Patients often come up with queries, What does vaginal rejuvenation do? Is it the same as vaginoplasty? We all fear surgical procedures, and this fear often leads to misconceptions at times. Understanding the clear difference between vaginoplasty and vaginal rejuvenation is important to make the correct clinical decision.  

Vaginoplasty is not a single procedure but a collection of many unique surgeries aiming for vaginal function correction and aesthetic appearance. On the other hand, the term vaginal rejuvenation is coined generally for all types of procedures that can enhance sexual function, comfort, and self-esteem. Vaginal rejuvenation techniques may be non-surgical, like laser-oriented or radiological. Such procedures are pain-free, require less recovery time as compared to surgeries, and allow the patient to maintain day-to-day life without any disruption. The only precaution will be to abstain from sexual activity for 3–4 days. 

The basic types of vaginoplasty are 

1. Vulvoplasty: This generates a feminine-like outer genital area accompanied by a shallow canal. 

1. Penile inversion vaginoplasty: This procedure creates a cavity in the vagina utilizing an inverted penile skin flap, which may be upgraded with skin grafts from the scrotum. Some of the other important techniques are clitoroplasty, partial penectomy, labiaplasty, penile dissection, and orchiectomy. 

1. Vaginal replacement, posterior skin flap, and pull-through: The technique can be helpful in cases of girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. 

1. Robotic vaginoplasty is a minimally invasive technique, using a peritoneal graft to create a vaginal mucosa. 

There are multiple different vaginoplasty procedures going on at the same time. However, the result needs to be functional as well as aesthetic. 

What happens before vaginoplasty?

Anybody deciding to undergo a vaginoplasty is inquisitive of virgin tightening surgery before and after. Is labiaplasty an outpatient procedure?  

All these answers can be given by the right practitioner. 

The patient needs to follow some tests and assessments to be eligible for the surgical procedure. 

A gynaecologist makes the patient aware of all the benefits, risks, postprocedural care, and precautions of the surgery. The doctor may ask the patient to abstain from smoking, control weight, and take continuous medical advice. 

Electrolysis and laser-assisted methods are used for hair removal from the scrotum and skin from the lower penis area. This skin is utilized for generation of the vaginal cavity. 

What happens during vaginoplasty?

To understand vaginoplasty meaning it’s important to visit the right centres and care providers. To understand Vaginal tightening resets the anatomical conditions so that optimal sexual stimulation of the vagina is possible. The main reason for the decline of sexual stimulation is because of childbearing and age. The vagina becomes flattened and widens. 

First, the vaginal tube is narrowed by removing a segment of the anterior and posterior vaginal wall along the entire vaginal length. Then the endopelvic facia is tightened as well as the pelvic floor muscle, which gives the vagina support and additional pressure from the outside. The vaginal wall is plumped up and thickened by injecting the body's own fatty tissues. Compared to the initial situation, the surgery narrows the vagina, thickens the vaginal wall, and raises and firms the pelvic

As part of gender affirming surgery, what happens during vaginoplasty?

Is vaginoplasty for transgender men? 

A gender affirmation surgery is of two types, male to female and female to male. 

In a male to female surgery 

• First, the testicles are removed. 

• The skin of the penis is cut and inserted down. 

• Erectile tissue in the penis is dissected and removed. 

• The labia are created with the help of the shaft, and the scrotum helps in creating the vaginal canal. 

• The clitoris is created by the tip of the penis. 

• The urethra is then brought up and sewed to the new vaginal canal. 

• After this, the vagina is sutured to the scrotal anal cavity. 

• The labia are created with the rest of the scrotal skin. 

In a female-to-male surgery 

• After double mastectomy and hysterectomy, the following steps are performed. 

• After these, the genital transformation procedures are started. 

• The step starts with the rerouting of the urethra to permit urination through the phallus 

• The scrotum is created with the help of the labia majora. 

• The next step involves the artificial implantation of synthetic testicles with the help of scrotoplasty. 

• The penis is constructed using skin from the radial forearm or an alternative portion of skin. 

• After this step, the hormones get into action to alter the testosterone levels in the patient’s body. 

How long does vaginoplasty take?

How long does labiaplasty surgery take? a commonly asked question 

The time taken for a vaginoplasty may be anywhere between 90-120 minutes, i.e., 2-3 hours. If it is combined with additional procedures, the surgical duration will extend. It should be noted that some surgeries can take as long as 10 hours.

What happens after vaginoplasty?

Most concerned patients ask about the vaginoplasty side effects. 

After a vaginoplasty, it is recommended for patients to abstain from sexual intercourse for at least six weeks. Before this time, sexual intercourse can lead to undue pain and abnormal bleeding sometimes, and the scar can weaken. After this period one can start. However, initially there may be slight discomfort, but gradually the pain will settle, and about three to four months you can resume your normal sexual activities. 

Another question most young mothers ask is, ‘If I have a vaginoplasty and I want to have another child, how will it affect the surgery?' 

The answer depends on which procedure. For example, with labiaplasty, there should not be any problem in having a child. But with vaginal reconstruction, we are narrowing down the vagina, so if we try to push the baby through this, we will cause damage to the baby. So, one can still have a child, but a C-section is advisable in such cases. 

It is common for the patient to undergo such outcomes. 

• Moderate bleeding for a period of up to 48 hours straight after the surgery. 
• The genital area becomes swollen and bruised, and this can persist for several weeks. This condition can result in patients undergoing gender affirmation procedures to spray or dribble while urinating. 
• A sensation of itch and feeling of numbness occurs due to the healing of nerve endings. 
• A pattern of scarring 
• The patient will need the help of a catheter to urinate. 

Does insurance cover vaginoplasty?

Increased queries in the minds of patients such as labiaplasty cost covered by insurance needs to be addressed in an informative manner. 

Generally, there is no insurance coverage for vaginoplasty as it is a cosmetic surgery. However, in exceptional cases like childbirth injuries or trauma, you can get coverage. Patients need to still contact their respective health insurance agents prior to their decision-making. 

What are the risks of vaginoplasty?

Most patients are keen to know the vaginoplasty side effects. 

Complications may be functional or aesthetic. 

Among the common functional surgical risks are rectum injury, vesicovaginal fistula, which may cause urine leakage, and vaginal stenosis, a condition arising from aberrant fibrous tissue growth. Vaginoplasty can cause an early menopause in patients. Other surgical outcomes are clitoral sensation complications and discomfort during intercourse, which may arise when a person resumes sexual activity before suture healing. 

We also have aesthetic concerns after the surgery. Many people may not like the final appearance and may not suit their aesthetic needs.  

Some other complications like infection, sexual arousal disorder, nerve damage, loss of sensation, blood clotting, labial asymmetry, permanent discoloration, and tissue death in the surgery area may be experienced by patients. 

It is to be noted that all these complications require reconstructive surgery. 

Benefits of Vaginoplasty?

Most patients wonder about their life after labiaplasty. 

Vaginoplasty and associated surgeries have awarded improved sexual satisfaction and self-esteem to patients all around the globe. They have reported improved quality of life with respect to their lives pre-surgery. 

For gender affirmation, what are the risks and benefits of vaginoplasty?

Raising interests have been seen over the topic of transgender vaginoplasty. 

The patient may suffer complications like bleeding, urinary tract infection, loss of sexual satisfaction, bladder issues, or might feel difficulty in vaginal maintenance. 

While each person's benefits from gender reassignment surgery will differ, some common ones include better mental and physical health, more self-esteem, enhanced social engagement, and decreased gender dysphoria. 

What is recovery like after vaginoplasty?

Vaginoplasty recovery time is a very significant parameter to determine its success. A person can require a full recovery period of 2–12 weeks. Sexual activity needs to be abstained till the patient recovers totally from the surgery. 

When should I contact my healthcare provider after vaginoplasty?

The moment you experience any of these, visit your doctor immediately. 

• Excessive bleeding 

• Yellowish discharge 

• Pain that is not relieved despite medications 

• Blood clot signs such as groin or lower leg swelling 

• Vomiting 

Other than these, a normal follow-up after a week is advisable after surgery.

Debunking Myths of Vaginoplasty

• It is only for cosmetic reasons. 

• Surgery is the only cure to correct vaginal problems. 

• Labiaplasty may result in unrealistic beauty standards. 

• Sexual dysfunction may result due to clitoral hood reduction.

Cost of Vaginoplasty

In India, vaginoplasty surgery can cost anywhere between INR 50,000 and INR 1,20,000, depending on the location, kind of procedure, and other elements. 

Conclusion:

Vaginoplasty can be the answer for all those women whose lives have been affected by poor sexual health and self-esteem. Statistics reveal the latest technologies and sophistication have even cut down the risk factors to just 2-3% over the decade. However, more people need to be educated and counselled about the myths versus reality so that they can upgrade their quality of life.