There Are Reasons For This

Other woman with less fullness "down there" seem to feel that this operation is absurd. For the women with large vaginal lips, however, it is a much different story. Believe it or not, enlarged vaginal lips can be associated with a number of problems including:

• Embarrassment with Sexual Partners
• Discomfort in Tight Clothing or Underwear
• Functional Difficulty During Intercourse

Labiaplasty refers to any operation that changes the Labia. Dr Di Saia performs it specifically to correct the above problems in women. Despite the fact that it has several functional indications, health insurance does not cover it when the operating surgeon is a plastic surgeon. Our operations are cosmetic in design although they alleviate the symptoms that women have in large cases. Patients desiring insurance coverage are probably better off having their surgery performed by a gynecologist. A few of our patients have tried obtaining re-imbursement from their health insurance companies, but the office will not bill a health insurance company for a case of this sort.

The operation is not as simple as trimming off the vaginal lips when performed with aesthetics in mind. The manner of the removal, closure and re-positioning (if needed) are all unique in each case.

The procedure is performed in an outpatient facility either under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia. The exact operation is tailored to the patient's specific problem and desires within reason. The doctor's preferred technique involves the removal of tissues from the sides and central portion of the labia. This leaves the edge of the structure looking untouched, while allowing reduction of the offending portion. It is the best technique to limit post-operative pain and sensory loss. The alternative procedures for a given woman's preference are discussed at consultation. Ladies are quite variable with regards to their desires and the lips themselves vary a great deal. Dr D does not operate on the clitoris. We want sensation to be preserved. Reduction in the size of the vaginal lips and occasionally reduction of the hood around the clitoris are possible and our patients have done well with this.

The groin area swells quite a bit after surgery but this improves over the first few weeks. Most of the sutures dissolve. Sometimes a few must be removed later. Patients abstain from intercourse for 3-6 weeks. These operations differ in extent.

For The Potential Patient

We have seen a fair number of consultations from this site. We are again offering first time consultations at no charge. Patients that don't show for scheduled consultations (without fair notice) may not be offered another. The Doctor is almost never able to perform surgery on the day of consultation. Exceptions are made for women traveling from a distance within limitations. On the day of surgery, the patient will need someone to drive her home.

Why Dr Di Saia For Your Labiaplasty?

Patients interested in an experienced labiaplasty surgeon with nearly ten years experience in this operation should consider Dr Di Saia. Our small office offers a particularly discreet setting for work of this type. As mentioned above, patients looking to have health insurance cover this might be better served with a gynecologist. Our operations are cosmetic by design. Insurance tends to deny cosmetic surgery.

A Few Examples [Before's Shown]:
[All images shown with permission. Many more are available for review at consultation.]

** This is an electronic version of an article published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine: complete citation information for the final version of the paper, as published in the print edition of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, is available on the Blackwell Synergy online delivery service, accessible via the journal’s website at: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1743-6095 or http://www.blackwell-synergy.com.