It's the new big thing in plastic surgery - vaginal rejuvenation. Yes, surgeons worldwide are now meeting the demands of the increasing number of women who want to perfect their vaginas through surgery.
The most common complaint is of stretched vaginal skin due to childbirth. Women who feel that they (and their partners) are missing out on a more fulfilling sex life because of their expanded muscles can go for a spot of nip-tuck – called a vaginoplasty. Other women feel unhappy about the size of their labia (vaginal lips) and can have a labial reduction.
What happens?
Both vaginal tightening surgery and labial reductions are usually performed under a general anaesthetic, however, sometimes a local anaesthetic is used, in combination with a sedative.
During a vaginoplasty, the muscle at the back of the vagina is shortened and stitched using dissolvable stitches, and any excess skin is removed. There is no visible scarring because the entire procedure happens inside you. The surgery takes about an hour and, depending on how your body reacts, you may be able to go home shortly afterwards.
You'll probably need to take about a week off work to recover, and you can start having sex again a month to six weeks later.
During a labial reduction, the length of the inner labia are reduced. The surgeon will trim the folds of skin so that they don't 'stick out' as much. This can be done either by trimming or by cutting out a 'v'-shaped wedge. Like a vaginoplasty, dissolvable stitches are used to join the skin again, and you can usually go home after surgery although some patients may require an overnight stay. As with all plastic surgery, you will need to have a post-op check-up with the surgeon.
How do I know if it's right for me?
Firstly, it's important to establish with yourself why you want a new, improved vagina. It's okay to do this to benefit yourself first and your partner second, but if it's all about what your partner thinks he wants or needs, forget it.
It's vital to check your surgeon out thoroughly before surgery. Contact the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) or call them on 0207 405 2234 to find a reputable surgeon. And always ask to see some 'before and after' photos of any clients who have had similar surgery.
Sometimes, if you ask, your plastic surgery clinic will put you in touch with previous clients and you can phone, email or meet with them to discuss their experience.
Then, if you are sure that you want to proceed, you're probably looking at a cost of around £3,000-£3,200 for a labial reduction and £2,800-£3,500 for a vaginoplasty.
What other surgeries are available?
Less commonly, some clinics are now offering surgeries to better expose the clitoris and remove fat from the pubic mound.
If you're going for a complete redesign and want more than one surgery, speak to your surgeon about combining operations to reduce the anxiety, recovery time, and of course, the pain of going under the knife.
What should I watch out for?
With any invasive procedure of this kind, you need to keep in mind the risks that are involved. Adrian Richards, Consultant Surgeon from BAAPS, gives the following advice:
'The most important thing is to check the credentials of the surgeon who will be performing the operation and find out how often they perform these procedures. A surgeon without your best interests at heart may disregard the fact that you may not be unsuitable for the operation and yet still go ahead with it.'
What's more, according to Adrian, it's important to find a reputable surgeon who knows what he's doing. Things can go wrong with surgery, leading to the risk of a haematoma - excessive bleeding. A good surgeon with proper technique can reduce the likelihood of this happening. Labial tightening, in particular, is an intricate procedure, and only a reputable surgeon would know how tight to go.
Don't forget that scarring can also occur. Scars are unpredictable - they can turn hard and lumpy which can be uncomfortable or unsightly in your delicate area.
And is it worth it?
That's up to you to decide. Some women feel amazing after surgery and say they enjoy better orgasms. Others simply feel less inhibited because they believe the appearance of their outer vagina is enhanced. But the best reason to invest in a designer vagina is you – if you think that your self-esteem will benefit from having what is essentially simple gynaecological surgery, it might be worth a look.
