December 2015

Does Insurance Cover Labiaplasty?

Posted on December 23, 2015 in Frequently Asked Questions

In a recent post on the medical forum RealSelf, a woman interested in labiaplasty explained that she was experiencing pain from friction and traction, skin tearing, and other issues from having an enlarged labia. Since she viewed these problems as purely medical and needed surgery to correct them, the woman inquired whether insurance would cover her labiaplasty. Dr. Dimitri Koumanis offered the unfortunate truth to this question in his response.

Although the procedure can resolve physical discomfort like chafing and irritation during intimacy or sporting activities, health insurance rarely covers labiaplasty. While some doctors may say they offer the surgery under insurance, this is typically not true. Surgeons who claim this are often under-trained or inexperienced in labiaplasty or are offering a straight tissue excision approach that can lead to abnormally painful and visible scars, as well as excessive vaginal dryness.

Even if the purpose of undergoing female intimate surgery is to alleviate discomfort and hygiene difficulties, the procedure is still considered “cosmetic,” and as a result, it is not covered by most insurance providers. Despite expert surgeons pleading with these companies to cover the procedure, labiaplasty is still deemed “medically unnecessary” and “cosmetic” in nature. Dr. Koumanis and his colleagues hope one day this view will change.

Whether you wish to improve your appearance and/or relieve physical discomfort due to prominent labia minora, we offer different financing options to help you afford the procedure you need. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Koumanis to learn how you can pay for labiaplasty with a manageable payment plan with convenient monthly payments.

How Much Is a Labiaplasty?

Posted on December 2, 2015 in Frequently Asked Questions

Among the many questions Dr. Dimitri Koumanis receives about female intimate surgery, one of the most popular is, “How much does labiaplasty cost?” In addition to answering this question during consultations at Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery, he has also provided an explanation for a woman posing the question on the online forum RealSelf.

Dr. Koumanis emphasizes that the total cost of a labiaplasty depends upon many factors. These include the experience of the surgeon, technique used, anesthesia, facility type, and medications. Additionally, while some women may only need minor work to achieve their desired outcome, others may have more complex needs for correction, which take more time in the operating room and therefore may cost more.

Overall, patients can expect to pay anywhere between $4,000 and $10,000 in total for a labiaplasty at Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery. The cost is greater in large cities and if done in the hospital setting. Dr. Koumanis keeps the cost down by performing labiaplasty at his own Joint Commission accredited office-based surgery center. When evaluating price quotes from different surgeons, it is important to consider the following:

• Is the price quote for the exact same procedure they’re referring to?
• Are all expenses being considered? (including post-operative care visits)
• Does it include anesthesia and supplies?
• Is a potential “touch up surgery” being included?

Although patients can almost always find a lower cost for cosmetic procedures, quality of the results definitely varies. Like many luxuries in life, with cosmetic surgery you typically get what you pay for. Plastic surgeons are generally more trained and experienced doing labiaplasty skin flaps and the required delicate tissue rearrangement compared with gynecologists and other surgical specialists. Rather than selecting a labiaplasty plastic surgeon based on who will offer the lowest cost, women need to find someone they trust and who can help them achieve the desired results. Dr. Koumanis says to get to know the surgeon and their work, patients should request to look at before and after pictures as well as to speak with the surgeon’s previous labiaplasty patients via their own cosmetic surgery patient phone referral network. If the surgeon doesn’t have past labiaplasty patients able to speak to prospective patients, or can’t show their work with before and after photos, this may indicate they are not very experienced with the procedure.

You should be aware of surgeons who quote abnormally low prices. This may indicate inexperience or having difficulty obtaining new patients.

In the end, those interested in labiaplasty should choose an expert who can offer the best possible results. Once a trusted and experienced professional has been selected, the patient can begin saving money or looking into financing options to make your labiaplasty a reality.

To learn if you are a good candidate for labiaplasty, as well as how much you can expect to pay, please contact us to schedule your consultation with Dr. Koumanis.