Can a Botched Labiaplasty Be Fixed?
This blog will briefly discuss some signs of a botched labiaplasty before highlighting the techniques and options available to patients who see Dr. Alter for labiaplasty revision. It will also explore the benefits of a secondary procedure and the importance of choosing a specialist for such a procedure.
5 Min Read:
Table of Contents
- Exploring Post-Labiaplasty Options
- Dr. Alter’s Methods of Labiaplasty Revision
- What Are the Benefits of Labiaplasty Revision?
- Why You Should Choose Dr. Alter for Your Labiaplasty Revision
- Want to Learn More About Labiaplasty Revision in Beverly Hills, CA?
Exploring Post-Labiaplasty Options
It’s understandable that patients with botched labiaplasties might think they’re out of options. There is only a little bit of tissue to begin with, let alone what may remain if the labia is over-excised. However, under the care of expert labiaplasty revision specialist Dr. Gary Alter, there are many possibilities.
Before we can determine the solution, we need to outline the potential problem, or what goes wrong during a labiaplasty.
What Does a “Botched” Labiaplasty Look Like?
The goal of a primary (initial) labiaplasty is to remove excess labial tissue on one or both sides of the vagina. Essentially, this procedure is designed to create a uniform, neat appearance to the labia minora or inner vaginal lips. It does not affect sensation, sexual pleasure, or the function of the vagina; labiaplasty is strictly aesthetic.
In the past, and unfortunately still today, surgeons use the “trim” method to remove excess tissue. They will use scalpels, scissors, or lasers to snip away the excess tissue; however, several issues can arise with this method.
First, trimming the tissue on the edge results in large, unsightly, and painful scarring. The edge of the tissue can heal awkwardly as well, resulting in uneven or “scalloped” edges. The trim method may also result in an unnatural color on the labial edge.
Lastly, the trim method results in more surgical mistakes, such as over-excision or uneven labial edges. Many patients who come to Dr. Alter for help with their labiaplasty revision are very distraught because their labia have had too much tissue removed, leaving them with very little.
Now, a botched labiaplasty is not always a result of the trim method; often, the recovery process and the surgeon’s lack of experience play a significant role in the poor result. But if you have a botched labiaplasty, your surgeon may have used this method.
Dr. Alter’s Methods of Labiaplasty Revision
There’s good news: all of the above issues can, and are routinely, remedied by Dr. Alter during labiaplasty revision—even overexcised labia.
As the inventor of the central wedge technique, an alternative to the trim method, Dr. Alter revised standard practices for labiaplasty to provide safer, more satisfying results. Rather than trimming tissue away at the edge, the central wedge method removes tissue in a pie shape, and then reconnects tissue with sutures for a more natural appearance.
Dr. Alter uses the central wedge method, along with other advanced female genital reconstruction techniques, during his labiaplasty revision surgeries.
Possible Techniques for Revision Labiaplasty
A Deformed or Absent Labium:
- Dr. Alter can use the remaining clitoral hood (the flap of skin over the clitoris) or other labial tissue to reconstruct deformed or absent labia.
- He can also create a new labia out of the clitoral hood if the labium is totally absent.
Gaps, Scalloped Edges, and Other Deformities:
- To correct a gap in an overly removed labium, Dr. Alter will cut out the gap and resuture the edges for a more regular appearance.
- For scarred or scalloped edges, Dr. Alter will remove the scarring and resuture the area more precisely to encourage better healing.
- To correct a minor deformity, Dr. Alter may use fat grafting to inject fat into the area, resulting in a more regular appearance.
Clitoral Hood / Clitoris Damage:
- A hanging or damaged clitoral hood can be reattached to a normal position.
- A large clitoral hood can be reduced by repositioning the clitoris and removing excess tissue.
What Are the Benefits of Labiaplasty Revision?
As the above illustrates, there are plenty of options for repairing different types of botched labiaplasty results. But labiaplasty revision is about more than the physical and aesthetic benefits, although they are important. Many patients who come to Dr. Alter for labiaplasty revision find the emotional benefits are the most compelling, as they no longer feel that their bodies are botched or “damaged.”
Dealing with a botched surgical result is difficult no matter what, be it rhinoplasty or breast augmentation, but labiaplasty is, by nature, a more intimate procedure. Patients who seek a primary labiaplasty do so not because the entire world will see their labia, but because they have a personal desire to feel better about themselves. A botched result, then, can be completely discouraging, even debilitating, for these patients.
Therefore, the benefits of revision labiaplasty are physical, aesthetic, and emotional, and include:
- Repaired, complete, and whole labia minora
- Relief from painful scarring
- A regular labial appearance in color and shape
- Resolution of negative feelings surrounding a poor surgical result
- A boost in self-empowerment and self-worth
Why You Should Choose Dr. Alter for Your Labiaplasty Revision
The stakes are pretty high for a secondary labiaplasty: You are likely left with little tissue, you may be in pain, and you are now left to pay for a secondary procedure. It is crucial, and cannot be overstated, how important it is that you choose the best surgeon for your secondary procedure.
Dr. Alter is established as the authority on labiaplasty and labiaplasty revision, having revolutionized surgical techniques to provide better, more satisfactory results that prioritize the patient’s goals and comfort.
You owe it to yourself to seek care from the best, rather than risking a less-than-satisfactory result the second time around.
Want to Learn More About Labiaplasty Revision in Beverly Hills, CA?
Dr. Alter and his team are ready to answer your questions and help you through the labiaplasty revision process with confidence.
Call (310) 275-5566 for our Beverly Hills Office, (212) 321-0749 for our New York Office, or fill out the contact form to get started and schedule a consultation with our labiaplasty revision expert.