Vaginoplasty (Vaginal Tightening Surgery) in London & UK



In recent years corrective or cosmetic surgery on female genitals has become more commonplace as safer techniques or surgery are discovered and recovery times are reduced.  This has spurred a trend for ‘designer vaginas’, with women using surgery more and more to modify their vaginas into an ideal shape or appearance.  These procedures are commonly referred to as vaginoplasty, but other names such as vagina reconstruction, vagina tightening or vagina rejuvination are also used.  There are a number of reasons why women may want to undertake surgery.  One is that the appearance of their vagina or surrounding areas aren’t satisfactory for them, an example of this is labiaplasty.  Another is that there might be issues with the size of the vagina, so making intercourse either painful or unsatisfactory.  It is often the case that after childbirth or over time the vagina can lose it’s elasticity and widen, causing the women to lose sensation and making intercourse less pleasurable for both partners.  Now this can be addressed through the use of vaginal tightening surgery - vaginoplasty.

Benefits of Vaginoplasty

There are many reasons why a woman would want to undergo vaginal tightening, be it physical, emotional or both.  The surgery can help to address problems that are caused by age, multiple births, the menopause, genetic anomalies or other issues caused through other surgeries.  Minor incontinence and problems with too much internal pressure bearing down on the abdomen can be helped through having a vaginoplasty.  As well as physical pain or discomfort being alleviated, vaginoplasty can also help to restore your self-esteem and sexual confidence, allowing your sex life to return to previous sensation. 


Professional Advice on Vaginoplasty

Before the surgery is performed you will have to have a consultation with your surgeon to determine that a vaginoplasty will address your concerns and be the right action to take.  You will have to undergo a physical examination, and it is likely that photographs will be taken so that you can properly see the effect of the surgery once all has healed.  It is essential that you ask the surgeon any questions that you are worried about, and that you are completely honest about your expectations of the surgery.  In turn you will be asked about your previous health and your surgeon will assess your suitability to surgery. 

The Vaginoplasty Procedure

The surgery is very straightforward, and is usually completed within about an hour.  You will be placed under either a general or a local anaesthetic with additional sedatives while your surgeon conducts the vaginoplasty.  Once the anaesthetic has taken effect your surgeon will cut into the back of the vaginal wall either with a scalpel or with a laser instrument, exposing the muscles underneath.  The muscle is pulled tight and sutured together.  The same is then done to the vaginal wall, with any additional skin being removed.  All the stitches used will dissolve within a couple of weeks of the surgery.  Usually you will be able to leave the hospital a few hours after the surgery is finished, however you will be unable to drive due to the effects of the anaesthetic and ought to seek help for the next few days. 

What to expect following Vaginoplasty

After the vaginal tightening surgery you are likely to be sore within the vaginal region for a good few days.  You will be given pain killers to help to address this, and once the pain has lessened you will be able to control the discomfort using over the counter pain medication.  It will be sore to walk for a few days, and due to this is would be a good idea to have someone on hand to help you with everyday tasks.  It is important that you keep the area as clean as possible, especially after visiting the toilet, you will be given advice on how best this is achieved by your surgeon.  After about a week most women feel comfortable enough to return to work, and after three weeks or so there ought to be no discomfort left.  Any scarring will be internal, and as a result not visible to the eye, Bruising and swelling caused by the surgery will dissipate about a week after the surgery.   You ought not to use tampons, or to have sexual intercourse for six weeks after a vaginoplasty, this is to ensure that the area doesn’t get disturbed while it is healing.  Your surgeon will wish to see you a couple of weeks after the surgery, and again about 2 or 3 months afterwards, to ensure the correct healing of the area.  If you encounter any problems during the recovery period then you ought to seek medical advice as soon as possible as it might be the start of a potentially dangerous infection that needs treating as soon as possible.

There are always risks when undergoing surgery, and vaginoplasty, although straightforward, is no different.  Any procedure that involves incisions carries a risk of infection, blood loss and bruising.  On top of this there have been a few reports of nerve damage and over-tightening of the vagina, something which has obvious implications for sexual gratification as well as discomfort when wearing certain items of clothing.  Numbness usually subsides over time as the nerves repair themselves, however some problems that might arise due to the surgery might need additional procedures in order to address.  Some examples of these are puncturing the abdomen, over-tightening of the vagina or vaginal collapse.  It has to be said, however, that complications arising from vaginoplasty are very rare, with surgeons reporting around a 1 - 3% case rate, which makes the procedure extremely safe and comparable with driving a car or even having a baby. 

The Cost of Vaginoplasty

In the UK a privately performed vaginoplasty will cost you between £3000 and £4500, depending on the extent of tightening necessary and where you have the procedure done.  It is possible to get a vaginoplasty on the NHS and you need to discuss this with your GP.  Generally speaking you are eligible for an NHS funded vaginoplasty if you have significant damage to the vagina due to giving birth, a prolapsed organ or a genetically inherited disorder.  There are companies that offer loans for surgery if you are not eligible for NHS help, although often the interest rates are quite high.  Abroad the cost of a vaginoplasty is a lot cheaper, however you have to be very careful about the qualifications of the surgeons as well as the conditions of the clinic and the care that you will be given.  It is also important to note that on top of the initial surgery fee you will have to pay for travel and accommodation. 

Alternatives to Options to Vaginoplasty

There are alternatives to having a vaginoplasty, and it might be worth investigating these before spending money on the surgery.  It is recommended that you try to address the problem using pelvic floor exercises, gradually increasing the number of repetitions you can do to strengthen the muscles that contract your pelvis.  You can also obtain aids to make these exercises more effective, weights that gradually help you to build up the muscles.  With these aids it has been noted that mid-range incontinence can be addressed, and the tightness of the vagina significantly improved.  Another, shorter term, solution is the use of creams or gels.  These are made from natural ingredients and stimulate and irritate the vaginal wall to make them tighter.  This effect usually only lasts for a few hours although everyone will have a different reaction to these creams. 

A vaginoplasty is often used in conjunction with other surgeries, especially those concerning the vaginal area, such as labiaplasty or clitoral manipulation.  This can help you to address different problems at the same time, often saving you money if undergoing it privately, or time. 

Any surgery ought to be seriously considered before deciding on, and a vaginoplasty should not be undertaken lightly.  There are risks, although small, and you will need to invest time into your recovery.  However, the majority of people who have one are very satisfied with the results and can quickly and permanently address the problem of a stretched or damaged vagina. 


Reasons for Having Vaginoplasty »

Vaginoplasty in London

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Surgicare
592 Finchley Road
London
NW11 7RX
Tel: 08000 461000

Transform Cosmetic Surgery
Heath Hospital London
58 West Heath Drive
London
NW11 7QH
Tel: 0800 655 6406