Botched Labiaplasty: What Went Wrong?

Sad thoughtful worried African American girl sitting on the sofa looking away

It’s every plastic surgery patient’s worst nightmare: a botched result. Many patients wonder with frustration what exactly went wrong. Some still have the resources available to find the answer and resolve the issue. Labiaplasty is a little different. While not a new procedure by any means, there are fewer surgeons who are experts in this nuanced surgery, and overall fewer resources for prospective patients or those who have experienced an unsatisfactory result.

If you’re living with a botched labiaplasty, or you are interested in primary labiaplasty but are terrified of what can go wrong, we’ve got you covered. Below, we will discuss everything you need to know about what can go wrong with a labiaplasty and what options you have, if it is required, for labiaplasty revision.

1. Underqualified Surgeon

It’s a sad reality, but a not-uncommon reason that women receive botched labiaplasties is because their surgeon is not experienced with the procedure. Too many surgeons–and even gynecologists–undertake this procedure without the proper knowledge and skill. They can end up giving their patients a worse result than if they had left the anatomy alone.

Just because a surgeon is trained in cosmetic surgery or gynecology does not mean they are experienced in genital anatomy or the best surgical practices for providing a satisfactory result. On top of this, surgical techniques are constantly being updated and improved, and if a surgeon uses an outdated technique, it can mean a poor result.

2. The Trim Technique or Failure of Wedge Technique

Most surgeons still perform the trim technique. This surgeon uses a scalpel or laser to trim the labia minora (inner lips) to reduce their size. While a reduction in the size of the labia minora is generally the goal of most labiaplasty patients, there are some issues with simply trimming tissue, often caused by careless or insufficiently trained surgeons.

For instance, this technique can result in painful, unsightly scarring. Careless suturing causes poor scarring, so it becomes scalloped and misshapen with large scars. Not only is this unattractive aesthetically, but the healing process and subsequent scarring are often excruciating. Labiaplasty is a much more nuanced procedure than simply cutting tissue, and much better techniques have since been developed.

Wedge labiaplasties can also result in complications also often from inexperienced, careless, or poorly trained surgeons. Revision can also be performed successfully on these women.

3. Over-excision of Tissue

This can be a side-effect of the trim technique, but over-excision of tissue is also a common reason women are unhappy with their labiaplasty results. Too many women come out of their labiaplasty procedure and realize their surgeon essentially removed the entire labia minora!

This is clearly not the goal of the procedure; labiaplasty is designed to reduce the size and protrusion of the labia minora, but it is not meant to remove them altogether. Additionally, over-excision of one labium can result in an asymmetric appearance that can be extremely demoralizing.

While removing all or part of the labia minora can seem like the end of the road for labiaplasty patients, not all is lost. Labiaplasty revision is possible through the stunning work of Dr. Gary Alter.

How Dr. Alter Can Fix Your Botched Labiaplasty

Dr. Alter is a world-renowned labiaplasty revision expert, dedicating his career to the improvement of labiaplasty techniques and revising the botched results of others. Double board certified in both plastic surgery and urology, Dr. Alter utilizes his unique expertise to provide satisfactory results that improve his patients’ quality of life.

Dr. Alter is also the inventor of the central wedge labiaplasty technique, which preserves the natural edge, contour, and color of the labia minora without the risk of painful scarring.

An expert in multiple techniques of genital reconstruction, Dr. Alter can use a variety of techniques to restore the function, aesthetics, and comfort of a botched labiaplasty.

Some techniques that he may use include:

Using the remaining clitoral hood or labial tissue to reconstruct the deformed or absent labium
Bringing the remaining edges of a gap in the labium together by suturing them together
Improve scarring by partially removing scars or accurately suturing them
Inject fat into the labium to remedy minor deformities
Reattach the hanging clitoral hood to a normal position

You don’t have to live with a botched labiaplasty result anymore. Dr. Alter has helped thousands of women feel comfortable in their own skin again. Still not sure if labiaplasty revision surgery is right for you? Take a look at our FAQ section to learn more about what labiaplasty revision can do for you.

Interested in Labiaplasty Revision in Beverly Hills, CA?

If you want to learn more about the many options for labiaplasty revision with Dr. Alter, call our Beverly Hills or New York offices today at (310) 275-5566. Are you an out-of-town patient? No problem. Dr. Alter also offers virtual consultations for such patients. Just fill out our online contact form to get started.