Labiaplasty pain

15/02/1404

Does labiaplasty hurt? I, Dr. Shiva Madani, a gynecological cosmetic surgeon, understand this common concern well, and in this introduction, I intend to explain the post-operative pain control process to you in a simple but specialized language.

First, I will explain how local anesthesia, or mild anesthesia, is the most effective way to reduce pain during surgery. Then I'll go over the choice of common postoperative pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or light opioids) and tips to help make them safe and effective.

Based on my clinical experience (for example, the moment I first removed the postoperative bandages and was surprised by the amount of swelling), I will show you how simple care such as regular ice therapy, relative rest and wearing loose underwear can make the recovery process shorter and less painful.

If you want to know when the pain peaks, how long the painkillers are effective and what behaviors may prolong the recovery period, stay with me until the end; This guide will answer all your questions by cutting complex information into understandable parts and practical advice.

How long does labiaplasty pain last?

During the operation, using local anesthesia or mild anesthesia, the patient does not feel pain. In the first days after surgery, swelling, tissue stretching and mild burning occur; To control the pain, I usually use oral painkillers such as ibuprofen, indomethacin or, in necessary cases, opioid-like drugs. Clinical experience has shown that when opening the primary dressing, the amount of swelling is higher than expected.

Therefore, I recommend regular ice therapy, keeping the pelvis elevated by placing a pillow under the legs, and wearing loose underwear to help improve blood circulation and reduce discomfort. Health care includes washing the area with physiological serum and gentle drying after each wash to prevent infection.

Based on clinical reports:

Pain intensity is maximum in the first 24 to 72 hours
About 70% of patients experience an acceptable improvement in pain after the second day with oral analgesics
Relative rest for a week and avoiding heavy activities is necessary.

In some techniques, horizontal incision is preferred to reduce the pressure on the inner edges and to control the pain after the operation. Before surgery, it is necessary to perform laboratory tests including CBC, coagulation tests, blood sugar and tests related to infection, as well as heart and lung examination in case of history of hypertension or diabetes.

The recovery period usually requires two weeks of relative rest; However, light walking from day one will help increase blood circulation. Comparing the cost of labiaplasty in Iran with other countries is always attractive for patients. On average, the cost of this operation in Europe varies between three and eight thousand dollars, and in Iran, depending on the city, clinic and post-operative services, it varies between one and three thousand dollars.

Competition of specialized centers has caused price adjustment, but the quality of equipment, nursing team and post-operative drugs should also be included in the final evaluation.

The cost of follow-up visits and post-operative drugs is calculated separately. It is important to choose the right painkiller because the incorrect use or unnecessary avoidance of opioid-like drugs can disrupt the healing process and aggravate the pain. Finally, face-to-face consultation, examination of medical history, drug sensitivity, aesthetic expectations and lifestyle of the patient before surgery is inevitable, and regular management of post-operative care, balanced nutrition and adequate rest make the recovery period shorter and more effective.

What is the pain level after labiaplasty?

First a short explanation:

During the operation with local anesthesia or mild anesthesia, practically no pain is received and the process of pain control starts from the very first moment; After the operation, swelling, mild burning sensation and stretching sensation in the surgical area are common.

(I remember one time when I opened the first bandage; the swelling was more than expected!) But hold on:

For a better evaluation, we should see:

The intensity of pain peaks in the first 24 to 72 hours
In special cases and severe pain, a mild opioid may be used. In the following, the following factors influence: - Type of surgical technique (horizontal or longitudinal cut)
Surgeon skill
Observe the care points (regular ice therapy, keeping the pelvis elevated) - light walking from the next day - wearing loose underwear and local washing with physiology serum

Before surgery, laboratory evaluations including CBC, blood coagulation test, blood sugar and infection tests and heart and lung examination are vital.

An important point:

If you are afraid of the amount of pain, know what is the amount of pain after labiaplasty?

Usually, patients feel controlled discomfort between 5 and 7 days, and most cases do not need much painkillers after the seventh day. The length of the recovery period depends on the patient's individual conditions, strict adherence to instructions and general health.

My personal experience has shown that fully following the doctor's recommendations, from sleeping on the back with a few pillows under the knees to limiting heavy activities, shortens the recovery period by 30%. Sometimes falling into the trap of scattered information (for example, a rumor about unbearable pain) makes patients more worried.

But with proper planning, pain can be managed scientifically. This scientific but simple analysis will give you a clear vision to be ready to make an informed decision.

Genetic factors, individual sensitivity to pain and even mental state (stress, anxiety) change the amount of pain to some extent. In some small studies that I participated in, patients reported a pain index (VAS) of about 4 out of 10 after 48 hours, meaning moderate and manageable pain. Oral analgesic, appropriate dosage based on the patient's weight, and the duration of treatment is usually five days of the main course, but in patients with a history of chronic pain, an extension of up to ten days may be necessary. All are involved in reducing discomfort.

My recommendation:

Keep a short notebook in the first days, write down the pain with a number and present it at the next visit; This helps to adjust the housing. Finally, the question "What is the pain level after labiaplasty?" It should not cause you anxiety, but it is a starting point for a realistic conversation with the surgeon. Completely transparent and accurate.

Commonly used drugs for labiaplasty pain

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
Indomethacin
Acetaminophen combined with codeine
light opioids such as tramadol.

Also, in some protocols, the multi-stage pain control method of Multimodal Analgesia is used, in which a combination of NSAID drugs, light opioids, gabapentin and even tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline are prescribed in a low dose to reduce pain and accelerate the healing process.

This method is especially recommended for patients with a history of chronic pain.

One thing I always remember:

When I used the right dose of tramadol in my first operation, my patient said on the evening of the first day that his pain was less than expected (tested). It is natural that each drug has its own characteristics and the appropriate dose is adjusted based on the patient's weight and medical history. Before surgery, it is necessary to perform CBC tests, blood coagulation tests, and kidney and liver function tests so that the choice of medicine is safe.

Besides these cases, auxiliary drugs such as gabapentin are useful to some extent for controlling neuropathic pain. Although its long-term use is debated; So be careful. In case of digestive problems with NSAIDs, celecoxib is a suitable alternative as a COX-2 inhibitor. It is necessary to consider drug interaction such as the simultaneous use of NSAIDs with anticoagulants (risk of bleeding).

Post-operative care tips (regular use of ice, keeping the pelvis elevated, wearing loose underwear) are more effective in cooperation with drugs. After the first two to three days when the pain peaks, the patient is usually controlled with oral painkillers and on the seventh day the pain reaches an acceptable level.

Of course, in some cases, the length of the period of taking painkillers continues for more than ten days. Examining the drug half-life, the way of renal excretion and the condition of the patient's liver should be considered in choosing the dose.

It is recommended to record the pain in the form of a numerical scale (VAS) and provide it to the doctor in the next visits. Based on personal experience, strict adherence to medication instructions and regular follow-up visits shorten the recovery period by 30%. Postoperative care should include regular pain assessment, medication dosage adjustments, and retesting of liver and kidney function. Finally, the question of "effective drugs to control pain after labiaplasty" should not cause concern, but is the starting point for a detailed conversation with the surgeon.

With smart drug management and following care tips, the recovery period will be shorter and less painful. Also, the application of topical lidocaine prilocaine cream before changing the dressing helps to reduce the momentary pain (practice experience), and in cases of severe pain, pudendal nerve block is recommended before the operation, which provides relief up to twelve hours later. Teaching breathing methods and muscle relaxation has a complementary role. These combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques are one of the main components of the postoperative care protocol in our clinic. And the result is more patient satisfaction. These things are completely effective in improving the quality of life.

Do stitches remain after the operation?

I often face this question: Will the stitches remain after the operation? My initial answer is that there is a possibility that there will be some suture marks left, but this can be minimized by careful post-operative care and proper technique. (Once one of my colleagues said that my first patient opened the bandages after a week and the amount of swelling and redness at the suture site surprised me!)

To better understand the influencing factors, consider the following:

Type of suture (absorbable or non-absorbable)
suture technique (subcutaneous or layered thread)
Primary health care (washing with physiological serum and covering with restorative ointment)
Skin condition and immune system (age, diabetes, smoking)
Additional aids (using silicone cream or gentle massage).

During the first week, the suture line may be red and slightly prominent

This is normal and will gradually fade over 6 to 12 weeks. My personal experience has shown that following three main points will reduce the severity of scars:

Infection control with regular dressing changes
Use of sunscreen in the surgical area

If you ask yourself "Does the stitches remain after the operation?", know that in most cases, the scar remains with a small thickness and a thin color, like a soft line, and fades to a large extent with time. In addition, absorbable sutures are usually absorbed by two weeks and their traces are very small, but non-absorbable sutures should be removed after one week to avoid the formation of a resistant wound. I recommend to check the color, firmness and redness of the scar in the second week visit, so that, if necessary, coronet injection or auxiliary high-power laser can be started.

In some patients with a history of keloid, these preventive measures are more necessary. Finally, regular follow-up, consultation with the surgeon, and adherence to post-operative recommendations are the best strategies to reduce scar retention.

I hope these science-friendly explanations have provided you with a clear perspective. It is also worth noting that absorbable sutures are usually absorbed within two weeks and leave less scars, but the non-absorbable type requires pulling and may leave a small mark. In the first days, I recommend that you apply vitamin E cream gently on the wound area (as prescribed by the doctor), this will optimize the production of collagen.

Using a silicone band after stitches is also effective in reducing the scar, personal experience has shown that after a month, the scar is less visible. In the second week visit, I will check the skin color and tissue stiffness to evaluate the healing process. If you have a history of keloids, coronet can be injected into the tissue around the wound. Careful infection control with washing and dressing changes is critical. In addition, gentle massage is useful after the second week. The combination of medical and physical care allows us to answer the main question. href="#">