In November 2019, I underwent a labiaplasty procedure to rid myself of physical irritation in my daily life, as well as improve my cycling experience. I hadn’t found a lot of information, short of aesthetic enhancement, that discussed improvements after the procedure – particularly for cyclists. Technically, I am still healing as swelling can continue to dissipate up to 6 months after surgery; however, I’ve been cycling for the last couple of months. Below I’ll detail my opinions, experiences, and results of my labiaplasty thus far.
Should I Undergo a Labiaplasty?
Having undergone this procedure, and now the bulk of healing, I can say with 100% certainty that I’m happy I chose to undergo this procedure. However, if it had been for aesthetic purposes rather than function, being unable to bike for two months, the discomfort of healing, the risk of infection as well as loss of sensation would be enough to dissuade me from doing so. I pass no judgment on any person who decides to have this for aesthetic purposes. Everyone needs to do what is right for them. I would encourage you to converse in detail with a physician and research risks. Labia come in all shapes and sizes, and they are all normal.
Was It Painful?
Slicing fleshy bits with lots of blood vessels from your genitalia most assuredly is not a pain-free process. I would describe most of what I experienced as discomfort rather than pain. I didn’t take any medications after the procedure short of Ibuprofen 600. I felt sorer a week or so following surgery than immediately after. My care team explained that it’s about that time that your nerves begin to heal and realize what the hell just happened (they may have described it differently than that). As nerves healed, these were the few moments of “pain” I can say I experienced.
One reason for my discomfort was stitches. The irritation and on/off itching of sutures was not enjoyable. My gynecologist utilized six-week dissolving stitches. She informed that previously she used two-week dissolving sutures, but most people found them too pokey, and she’d have to cut them out. Yikes! No thanks!
General swelling was uncomfortable, and mine lasted a little longer. My physician told me that everyone has a different healing time and I was a bit on the longer end. By the two-month mark, most of mine had finally subsided.
The last frustration for me was having to use pads. I am accustomed to using a menstrual cup, and I find pads to be pretty annoying. I’ve successfully avoided them since the 10th grade. I had to suck it up and deal for two months, and I did not like it. Besides menstruation, immediately after surgery, you will wear a pad for a couple of days for bleeding. As a forewarning, if you are contemplating a labiaplasty, you will not be able to have any form of vaginal penetration (tampons, cups, sex) for about 6-8 weeks.
Does Insurance Cover this Procedure?
I was unsure if my insurance was going to cover the surgery. The quoted out-of-pocket expense was $4K. I discussed with my physician beforehand as I would not have been able to afford the procedure. She had experience with these billing issues, was familiar with appropriate coding for the procedure, and indicated they would help with appeals, if necessary. My physician stipulated in my notes that she did believe this was a medically necessary procedure given my symptoms. Everyone’s experience with insurance for a labiaplasty varies. If it’s deemed aesthetic, it is an out-of-pocket surgery. I encourage anyone to discuss this with their physician/billing beforehand. Sometimes the insurer will grant prior authorization (mine wouldn’t). In the end, my insurance did cover my surgery, and I’m a happy camper for that!
Everyday Life
Prior to my surgery, daily existence was physically irritating. I’d always experienced friction on my labia, but after cycling on them for so long, it became painfully evident at every waking moment. Despite my labia being quite swollen upon waking up from my procedure, I already felt relief. There was less irritating bulk. Day to day physical irritation is a thing of the past.
One of the risks of the procedure is loss of sensation. I think I’ve noted some lack of feeling on one area now that I’ve healed more, but it isn’t overly apparent either. It may continue to improve, but I was informed of this risk before my procedure. I still do not regret having the labiaplasty as not having the other pain outweighs this for me.
Call me silly, but I’m also convinced “phantom labia syndrome” is a thing. I swore sometimes I felt something there that is now non-existent. This has decreased as time has passed. Having become so used to that sensation, I think my brain sometimes still believes my larger labia are there. Is this a real thing? Can someone research this, please?
Yeah, But What About Biking?!
After I was released to bike, my physician directed me to ease into it, little by little, because it would be painful at first. I began cycling my neighborhood, to work, for errands. Yes, it hurt initially. With time, I’ve started cycling further, and I now make a 23-mile round trip commute to and from work a couple times a week. I also completed a 40-mile ride to my parents’ house. After that ride, I had the realization that I am shifting much less in my saddle. So far, my experience is dramatically improved. I can say, without a doubt, that not sitting on most of my labia while biking is a blessing.
My labia were asymmetrical. As you can imagine, one could potentially sit and pedal awkwardly because of this. I’ve always had problems for endurance riding where I get more than simple saddle sores – I get scabs. When I began the process of a saddle fit, they noticed that I have a little hop in my cadence. It would be when my leg on the opposite side of the asymmetrical labia was at the highest point in the pedaling. I am curious if my hop was my body’s unconscious mode of self-protection so that I would not put pressure on the labia. The jury is still out, and soon I will return to my bike-fitter and determine if my hop has also disappeared. I believe my riding will feel even better when I get fit on a saddle. Overall, everyday cycling is dramatically different – in a fantastic way.
Is It Pretty Though?
I don’t know. What is a pretty vulva after all? My labia are now more symmetrical than they ever have been, but not perfectly so. My left side, which was much larger than the right, is still a bit larger. It’s not noticeable to me by sensation – only by way of examination. I mean, you can’t make a Mona Lisa out of a Picasso! (Wink.) I don’t expect perfection for the appearance of my labia, but I do want them to function. My inner labia are no longer protruding from my outer labia, which lessens most of the discomfort I was experiencing. If that is what you deem as aesthetically pleasing, then yes, they are “prettier.” Mainly, I wanted them to not interfere with my life, and since surgery, they don’t.
So, You’d Say Go Ahead and Do It?
If you are experiencing discomfort that is inhibiting your life, you are aware of and willing to accept the risks of the procedure, by all means, consult with a physician and ask for their honest evaluation and input. Go to a couple if you want to be assured. Then you will be able to determine for yourself if the benefits outweigh the risks. For me, the symptoms I experienced and how they impacted my life made the decision easy. I also researched a lot beforehand and spent time asking my physician questions.
I have no regrets about my choice. As I continue cycling longer distances, I hope it still feels that way, and I suspect it will. Many people are struggling with these issues, and we need to talk about them and support one another which is why I wanted to provide more information on my results as there isn’t much out there about the afterwards. Surgery may not be the answer for you. Perhaps it’s a saddle or bike fit, or something else. However, silence only allows for people to continue to endure unnecessary pain and feel alone in their struggle. As such, the more we communicate about our personal experiences in this area, the better and more information out there for everyone. If you need more info or support, please, count me as an ally.
Click to continue reading part two of this blog series: Life after Labiaplasty: Part II – You Are Normal
