Labiaplasty is probably the most transformative surgery when it comes to female intimate well-being. Beyond its aesthetic impact, it offers a profound improvement in the quality of life for women who choose to undergo the procedure. The reason is that the issues addressed by this procedure affect women on all levels:
- Functionally, it can cause discomfort during sexual intercourse, pain, or discomfort while engaging in physical activity, among other things.
- Aesthetically, it affects the patient’s confidence and self-esteem.
This treatment addresses changes and discomforts that can impact confidence, comfort, and fulfillment in everyday life and intimacy.
For all these reasons, when planning labioplasty surgery, we apply all available means and technological advances at our disposal. In this post, we discuss a revolutionary technology that allows us to achieve the best results in labioplasty: the hyperbaric chamber. Keep reading if you want to know why this is a winning combination that you should consider if you’re thinking about undergoing labioplasty.
Why are labioplasty surgery and the hyperbaric chamber great allies?
Because they help each other. When we perform labioplasty, even though we use a CO2 laser, which cuts, coagulates, and remodels tissues, we still make an incision; after all, it is still surgery. Our goal is to provide the patient with the shortest possible postoperative recovery, with minimal pain, minimal complications, and the best final aesthetic result. All of this can be optimized with the hyperbaric chamber.
The effect of the hyperbaric chamber will increase oxygen in the tissues, and this oxygenation will provide several benefits:
- Selective vasoconstriction that will reduce edema.
- Promotes healing by stimulating fibroblasts, which increase collagen in the tissue, and that collagen attracts water. This provides firmness and elasticity.
- It has an antimicrobial effect, as it promotes the arrival of more neutrophils to the area and the surgical bed.
These benefits will result in greater tissue regeneration, better healing, less pain, and therefore a much more satisfactory postoperative recovery, with a lower risk of infection and less risk of bleeding. In short, by reducing edema and inflammation after surgery, the patient will experience a better recovery:
- Less pain
- Improved results
- They can return to their daily routine more quickly
Preparing for Surgery with the Hyperbaric Chamber
Although it is vital to improve the postoperative recovery as much as possible, surgery begins long before the scalpel. The hyperbaric chamber will provide us with tissues that are much better oxygenated and less inflamed. The better the condition of the tissues — more deflated and in better condition — the better the surgical result and the postoperative recovery will be.
What does labioplasty surgery involve?
Labiaplasty can be defined as a surgery where we assess the vulva as a whole, aiming to improve both its aesthetics and functionality, always taking into account the patient’s expectations and needs. When designing this surgery, it is very important not only to consider the labia minora, which are often asymmetric or hypertrophied (with excess volume), but we must also evaluate the entire area:
- The clitoral hood — the skin covering the clitoris — must be evaluated, because sometimes there are duplications, meaning excess skin. If this occurs and we only correct the labia minora, the appearance of the vulva will not be harmonious or structurally balanced.
- It is also essential to examine the introitus and the lower part, what we call the vulvar fork, so it aligns and synchronizes with the rest of the surgery. This is especially important when there have been births or pregnancies, or due to the effects of aging. Often, instead of the typical V-shape, it presents a slightly more concave shape — in the form of a U. When performing this type of surgery, we can reshape it to make it not only functional but also aesthetic.
Postoperative Care for Labiaplasty
First and foremost, we must consider that the main risk of this surgery is bleeding. For this reason, we will apply local ice for 48 hours, while prescribing topical and oral medication to help with healing and reduce bleeding. We recommend one week of relative rest and avoiding sexual relations, high-impact activities, or baths — showering is allowed, but submerging in water is not.
In addition to sessions in the hyperbaric chamber, at Clínica Planas, we can complement these instructions with regenerative treatments, such as neural therapy to reset the nervous and immune systems. Supplementation and intravenous therapy can also be applied to improve the quality of the skin and tissues and enhance the regenerative process, ensuring an optimal postoperative recovery.
