Labiaplasty Post-Operative Instructions
If you have already had your labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, or perineoplasty with Dr. Kafali, this page holds your specific post-operative instructions: showering, incision care, activity, diet, and when to call our office. It is part of our broader Post-Operative Recovery guide.
Follow-Up Care
Follow the specific instructions your surgeon and nursing team gave you at your visit. Do not follow recovery advice you find online, and call our office anytime you have a question, no matter how small it seems.
- Post-Op Visits
- Most patients have two post-operative appointments: the first is usually 12 to 13 days after surgery, and the second is usually 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. If you were not given a date and time, call our office to schedule.
- Visit Location
- 310 W Superior St Fl 2 Ste 202, Chicago, IL 60654
- Returning to Work
- How soon depends on your job. Most patients return to either limited duties or full work within about 1 to 2 weeks.
Caring For Your Incisions
Do not touch or spread the genital area. For the first week after surgery, apply a small amount of Hibiclens to the labia in the shower, and do not use any other soaps, creams, lotions, or wipes on the vulva, since they can irritate healing tissue.
Rinse the Hibiclens off thoroughly, letting fresh water run over the area for a couple of minutes at the end of each shower, then blot the area completely dry with a paper towel. Use your splash bottle to rinse directly over your incisions with lukewarm water after every restroom break, for at least 2 weeks after surgery, and use the same splash bottle to rinse after urination, since urine can irritate the incisions.
Wear loose clothing for the first 2 days after surgery for comfort and to help your incisions stay dry.
Bruising, Swelling & Pain
Bruising around the vaginal and labial area is common, and it is normal for bruising to settle into areas away from the surgical site. This typically resolves over 1 to 3 weeks.
Mild to moderate swelling is also common, and it is not unusual for one side of the labia to be more swollen than the other in the early period. Rest is important: most patients are advised to minimize walking for the first 2 to 3 days. Call our office if you notice excessive swelling, one side much larger than the other, or more pain on one side than the other, since these can be signs of bleeding.
Ice packs can help with pain and swelling, especially in the first 24 hours. You can apply ice to the area every 2 to 4 hours during the first 24 to 48 hours after surgery. If you experience pain, take your prescribed pain medication as directed, with food to help prevent nausea. Extra-strength Tylenol or Tylenol #3 can also be used.
For a full week-by-week look at recovery, see our Labiaplasty Recovery guide.
Activity, Diet & Medication
- Driving
- You may resume driving once you have stopped taking narcotic pain medication.
- Intercourse
- Resume sexual activity around 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Ultimately, you decide when you are ready, once your incisions have healed and your sutures have dissolved.
- Activity
- Resume normal activity as tolerated.
- Medication
- Do not take herbal supplements, aspirin or aspirin-containing products, ibuprofen, arthritis relief medications, or vitamin E for two weeks before and after surgery. Take your prescribed medications as directed.
Diet: Meals are not restricted after surgery, though we recommend starting with clear liquids if you had IV sedation. Avoid salty foods so you do not retain water, and skip anything spicy or greasy. A diet high in fiber, lean protein, fresh fruit, and vegetables, along with plenty of water, supports healing. Pain and anti-nausea medication can cause constipation, so take milk of magnesia or a stool softener as needed.
What to expect: The goal of labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction, and perineoplasty is significant improvement, not perfection. Realistic expectations make it much more likely you will be happy with your results, and it can take up to 6 to 12 months to see your optimal outcome. Individual results may vary.
When to Call Us
Call our office right away if you notice any of the following:
- A temperature above 101.8°F, or shakes and chills
- Severe pain that your prescribed medication is not relieving
- Bright red blood discharging from the incision site
- Excessive swelling, one side much larger than the other, or more pain on one side than the other
When in doubt, call or text us at (312) 809-9983. We would rather hear from you than have you wait it out at home.
For an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Questions about your recovery? Call or text our office anytime at (312) 809-9983.
Contact UsThe information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results vary. Consult with Dr. Kafali or Dr. Truong to determine whether a procedure is appropriate for you.