Vaginoplasty is one of the most effective medical procedures for creating or repairing vaginal openings. Besides, it helps in treating different medical issues. Some of the most common reasons for choosing vaginoplasty are vaginal injury after childbirth or other complications.
In addition, vaginoplasty helps create a transgender vagina. The process involves different things; however, in general, it fixes the vagina. One of the biggest goals behind Vaginoplasty is to help create a vagina from penile (penis) tissue.
What are the different techniques used?
We use different procedures when it comes to a vaginoplasty. Some techniques include:
1. Penile inversion procedure
It is one of the usual vaginoplasty procedures. In the penile inversion procedure, we utilise the outer skin of the penis. We use the scrotal skin to make the labia majora and sensitive skin from the penile top to make the clitoris.
When it comes to the prostate gland, it becomes the erogenous zone, like the G-spot. At times, doctors don’t get enough skin to complete the vaginal depth. Due to this reason, doctors often opt for skin grafts from areas like the lower abdomen, inner thigh, and others.
2. Colon procedure
It is yet another effective technique that involves using the colon lining and not the penile skin. However, research on this surgery is limited. One of the positive sides of this surgery is that the tissues of the prostate gland are self-lubricating. However, the tissues present on the penis skin depend on artificial lubrication.
Due to the associated risks, surgeons use colon tissue, especially during the failed penile inversion method. As a result, people opting for the vaginoplasty end up having a second surgery to enhance the labia.
What happens during the procedure?
The day you opt for the surgery, you will meet an anesthesiologist and your surgeon. Initially, he will administer anti-anxiety medications as well as other sedatives.Soon, you will get general anesthesia, and you will have to lie back with your legs up.
It is a complex process where the delicate tissues are removed along with the nerve fibers. First, the testicles are removed, and a new vaginal cavity is made between the urethra and the rectum. The doctors remove the skin, which makes a pouch.
What are the side effects and complications?
Every surgery involves different risks as well as complications. However, with vaginoplasty, complications are few. However, any infections that develop can be cleared using antibiotics. A few post-surgical risks involve bleeding, skin or clitoral necrosis, urinary retention, fistulas, etc.
If you experience any severe complications after the surgery, contact your doctor immediately.
What are some preparations to be made before the surgery?
The skin around the scrotum is quite hairy, and the areas from which skin grafting is done are similar. Discuss the vaginal skin collection with your doctor. You can opt for the complete course of electrolysis to remove the vaginal hair growth.
You can also speak with patients who have previously had vaginoplasty.Make sure to talk to your therapist a few months before opting for this procedure. In addition, you must not forget to talk to your doctor about your fertility plans. Finally, do not forget about designing a post-operative plan with your family as well as friends.
How much does vaginoplasty cost?
The cost of vaginoplasty depends on various factors. As a result, the rate varies depending on the hospital. The total cost of the surgery ranges from around $4,000 to $10,000, including everything. You can also combine labiaplasty and hymenoplasty with this surgery.
Recovery dos and don’ts
It is critical to understand that the success of your surgery will be determined by how you care for yourself afterward.Once the bandages are removed, you will get a vaginal dilator, which you have to use to maintain the desired size and depth of your vagina.
You will get a dilation schedule that you will have to consider regularly. You have to insert it inside the vagina for ten minutes every day for almost three months. After that, you will have to repeat the process once for another three months.
For almost eight months, you can’t swim or submerge yourself in water. Avoid doing any strenuous activity for six weeks, and avoid bike rides.
Make sure to avoid any sexual intercourse for about three weeks. Apply ice packs to the surgery area during the first week. It is normal to have vaginal discharge or bleeding for the first eight weeks of pregnancy.Indulging in tobacco products or even alcohol might be dangerous, so it is best to avoid them for one month. Do not opt for pain medications until you feel it is urgent.
How long does it take to recover from surgery?
Although the surgery is complicated, the recovery time is reduced if proper care is taken.It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to fully recover from the wound.However, it is vital to understand that the recovery process varies from person to person. You have to focus on home hygiene and postoperative care, which helps speed up the process.
Is going to the bathroom different?
Once you have the surgery, your bathroom experience will change completely. You have to wipe from front to back while using toilet paper. It will not only help keep your vagina clean but also keep infections at bay in the anal region. If you want, you can opt for urinary spraying. Alternatively, choosing pelvic floor strengthening will work as well.
Difference between vaginoplasty and vaginal tightening
Vaginoplasty | Vaginal tightening |
Surgical Procedure | No Surgery Required |
1 Hours Procedure | 15 min Procedure |
Pain Controlled By Medicine | No Pain |
Long Term Results | Require Multiple Sessions |
For Severe Laxity | For Mild to Moderate Looseness |
Costs: Vaginoplasty costs $4,000 to $10,000 in the United States | Costs: Vaginal tightening costs $1000 to $5000 in the United State |
It is important to know which procedure is right for you, because both procedures give good results. A non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation or vaginal tightening is recommended for cases of mild to moderate laxity and requires three to four sessions to be effective.
Another procedure is vaginoplasty, which is performed under anesthesia under hospital anesthesia and requires you to spend a few days in the hospital. After three to six weeks, you can resume your normal sexual activity.
However, the results are immediate and long-lasting. For vaginal tightening to remain effective, repeat sessions may be required every 1 to 2 years. But, vaginoplasty will provide you with long-lasting effects which will last for at least 10 to 12 years or till your next pregnancy. You need to specify what you want exactly and take the procedure in accordance with your needs.
FAQ’s
In women who experience laxity of the vagina during intercourse, leading to sexual dissatisfaction, psychological issues, urinary stress incontinence during exercise, coughing, sneezing, or a vaginal air passage, are candidates for Vaginoplasty.
Medical procedures are usually covered by insurance, but cosmetic procedures, such as vaginoplasty, are not.