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Should I Shave Before My Labiaplasty?

Posted on August 2, 2017 in Frequently Asked Questions

A confused labiaplasty patient sought Dr. Dimitri Koumanis’ advice about whether or not she should shave before her procedure. The pre-operative instructions from her doctor were unclear and she found conflicting information on the internet, which left her in need of a knowledgeable opinion. As a plastic surgeon with extensive experience in labiaplasty, his simple answer to her question was: Yes, please shave.

Dr. Koumanis advises all of his labiaplasty patients to shave their pubic area, inner thighs, and labia majora prior to surgery. He finds that patients shaving a day or so before surgery provides better exposure of the area being operated on and also prevents hair from becoming tied up in the sutures. To remove hair, Dr. Koumanis recommends using an electric razor to avoid creating skin irritation or abrasions, which could potentially lead to infection. While it is always good to minimize risks, he also points out that he has never seen a labiaplasty infection that developed because of shaving.

If you have questions about labiaplasty or other female intimate procedures including new non-invasive ThermiVa vaginal rejuvenation, we encourage you to contact Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery for a consultation appointment.

Can an OBGYN Perform Labiaplasty?

Posted on July 7, 2017 in Frequently Asked Questions

Recently, board certified plastic surgeon Dimitri Koumanis, MD was asked by a woman in a remote area if she could rely on the skills of any local OBGYN to perform labiaplasty to eliminate physical discomfort. He responded that while it may seem like all OBGYNs and plastic surgeons would be trained and capable of performing this type of surgery, the reality is, labiaplasty is an extremely delicate procedure that requires specialized surgical skill and experience few physicians have.

Dr. Koumanis urges any woman considering labiaplasty to take time researching surgeons, and travel if necessary, to find a doctor with the right qualifications, technical knowledge, and expertise to perform the surgery properly. To help ensure the best results, he suggests looking for a board certified plastic surgeon that specializes in labiaplasty and is a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). For labia reduction procedures, he believes the “wedge resection technique” to be the most effective, comfortable, and reliable approach, and he recommends finding a surgeon who is experienced in this labiaplasty method. In contrast to an “edge trim”, the “wedge” approach leaves nearly invisible scars. The wedge type procedure requires skin flap creation and repair which plastic surgeons are best qualified and trained in their residency to perform. Gynecologists typically are not trained to do labiaplasty using a wedge resection.

Dr. Koumanis devotes a large part of his practice to labiaplasty and other female intimate procedures, and he has considerable experience in advanced techniques that deliver consistent, high-quality results. If you have questions about labiaplasty or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Koumanis, please contact our practice.

Do I Need Labiaplasty or Labia Majora Fat Transfer, or Both?

Posted on June 8, 2017 in Frequently Asked Questions

Recently, a 20-year-old woman asked Dr. Dimitri Koumanis if she would benefit most from either a labiaplasty and clitoral hood reduction, or simply a fat transfer to her labia majora. Based on several photographs accompanying the inquiry, Dr. Koumanis was able to determine that she was showing signs of labia majora deflation, paired with the presence of prominent clitoral hood and labia minora skin. His recommendations for addressing these concerns included a combined double wedge labiaplasty, in addition to application of a dermal filler or transferred fat to the labia majora to add volume or “puff” its appearance. Ultimately, he outlined that her next step should be to carefully choose and visit a board certified plastic surgeon who can perform a full, in-person examination and provide the most informed treatment recommendations.

In addition to her cosmetic questions, she expressed that insecurity about the appearance of her labia and vagina was holding her back from sexual intimacy. Ultimately, she believed that achieving a more “ideal look” through female intimate surgery procedures would give her the confidence to engage in a sexual relationship. Dr. Koumanis found it important to emphasize that, though he did highlight cosmetic concerns she may want to remedy with surgery, he found nothing inherently “abnormal” about her appearance in the photos. He went on to impart some helpful wisdom to consider when evaluating one’s own female genitalia:

• There is broad variation in the natural appearance of womens’ labias and vaginas, and no one particular standard of beauty must set the bar for everyone.
• Men are not as attuned to the cosmetic details of the labia and vagina as many women may think.
• The beauty of the female genitalia is in the eye of the beholder.

In conclusion, Dr. Koumanis reiterated that if she desires to change the appearance of her labia for her own personal satisfaction, confidence, and comfort, plastic surgery techniques can provide a solution.

If you are considering female intimate surgery and want to learn more about which options may provide you with the results you desire, please contact Saratoga Springs Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation with Dr. Koumanis.

Where Do I Begin if I am Considering Labiaplasty?

Posted on May 8, 2017 in Frequently Asked Questions

For women at the very beginning of their labiaplasty journey, plastic surgeon Dimitri Koumanis, MD, has quite a bit of helpful advice. Most importantly, he emphasizes thoroughly researching a plastic surgeon who has the education, certifications, and experience necessary to provide you with top-quality care. He specifically recommends selecting a surgeon who is both board certified and a member of The Aesthetic Society.

Dr. Koumanis advises that women who are interested in reduction of their labia minora and/or clitoral hood skin should research surgeons who offer the double wedge labiaplasty technique. In his expert opinion, the double wedge method yields the best possible results. He says women should be careful to avoid the “edge trim” labiaplasty technique, which can cause many uncomfortable physical side-effects and disappointing results. As far as the cost for surgery, he informs women considering the procedure that labiaplasty is considered a “self-pay” procedure and is not typically covered by medical insurance.

If you are interested in learning more about labiaplasty and other female intimate surgery options, we encourage you to contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Koumanis.

Dr. Yarinsky Named “Top Doctor” in New York Metro Area

Posted on March 13, 2017 in In the Media, Practice News

Please join us in congratulating our plastic surgeon, Dr. Steven Yarinsky, for being awarded the “Top Doctor” title by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. This nationally recognized surveying company compiles a yearly list of the best physicians, broken down by region. Dr. Yarinsky is a 2017 “Top Doctor” for Albany-Capital District and Metropolitan New York. Dr. Yarinsky is proud to earn this honorable distinction for the fourth consecutive year.

Can a Torn Labia After Childbirth be Repaired?

Posted on February 24, 2017 in Frequently Asked Questions, News

I have helped many women who have had their labia minora torn during childbirth with repair. Sometimes the tear is due to a failed episiotomy, a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth which helps aid a difficult delivery and ideally prevents rupture of tissues. Other times, the labia minora may tear spontaneously during delivery, causing a jagged edge or even a separation anteriorly from the frenulum (skin attachment) of the clitoris. All of these tears can be repaired, but I recommend waiting at least 3-6 months after delivery for the scars to soften before proceeding with surgical repair. The repair can be done with local anesthesia or general anesthesia (while asleep). When performed by a well-trained and experienced labiaplasty surgeon, the repair is often successful. Since the best time to get a proper repair is the first time, be sure to consult with an experienced labiaplasty plastic surgeon before proceeding.

When Can I Have Sex Again After Labiaplasty?

Posted on January 23, 2017 in Frequently Asked Questions

When it comes to wound healing, you can’t fool “mother nature.” After labiaplasty (or any cosmetic surgery for that matter) with optimum healing it takes at least 6 weeks to reach the 90% point of the end result and up to a year to see the final result. Despite claims of other plastic surgeons and gynecologists to the contrary, there is no magical way to promote faster healing. Since vaginal intercourse, or inserting anything in the vaginal opening, can physically stress delicately healing labia minora, I recommend waiting to resume relations and avoid using tampons or vibrators for at least 8-10 weeks. A patient of mine ignored my advice having sex at 6 weeks after surgery which caused a painful tear. While her labia eventually healed, this problem was avoidable if she had waited another few weeks for the scars to mature and skin to toughen. To be safest, use added lubrication when resuming relations (we recommend Astroglide^®), be very gentle at first and let comfort be your guide.