FAQs

Dr. Alter is widely hailed as the preeminent leader in labia reconstruction and female genital aesthetic surgery. Board Certified in both Plastic Surgeon and Urology, Dr. Alter uses many sophisticated plastic surgical principles to perform the botched labiaplasty repair. These principles are uniquely taught to plastic surgeons during their extensive training whereas gynecologists and urologists are not trained in these surgical skills and anatomic knowledge. Dr. Alter took these plastic skills and added them to his knowledge of genitalia from his urological training to invent multiple female genital surgical procedures—both for primary surgeries and for reconstruction of botched labiaplasties. In the mid-90s, Dr. Alter invented the central wedge or Alter “V” labiaplasty procedure, which is generally hailed as the best technique for labiaplasty surgery (labia minora surgery).

Dr. Alter published the first and only extensive medical paper on reconstructing botched labiaplasties in the prestigious journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in 2011. This paper introduced new operations including the use of the clitoral hood to reconstruct labia minora. Patients from around the world seek Dr. Alter’s expert surgical expertise for labia and clitoral hood reduction and for botched labiaplasty repair.

Yes. Dr. Alter performs primary labia minora reduction (labiaplasty surgery) at both his Beverly Hills and New York City surgical centers. Visit www.altermd.com for more information.

The final result of the labia reconstruction surgery depends on multiple factors. Usually, the labiaplasty reconstruction is better if you still have considerable labia and clitoral hood tissue remaining. This gives the plastic surgeon more tissue to use to create an improved and normal appearance. However, Dr. Alter can even do remarkable labiaplasty (labia minora) reconstructions with minimal labia minora and clitoral hood present. Fixing botched labiaplasties with restoration labiaplasty surgery by a plastic surgeon well-trained in the various labia reconstruction techniques can usually make the genital area look quite normal, so that you will no longer be selfconscious.

Shortly after a failed labiaplasty, most women usually have severe anxiety and wish immediate correction. However, it takes time for the swelling to go down and for the blood supply to revitalize the tissues. Often, the appearance of the genital region looks better with time. Dr. Alter will usually require you to wait at least five months from the botched labiaplasty prior to reconstruction. A premature surgery with removal or destruction of the remaining tissue may eliminate any chance for him to perform a successful reconstruction. In the meantime, he can evaluate your situation and give you a good idea of the probable reconstruction.

If you only have one labium, Dr. Alter can often match it by creating another labium out of a portion of the remaining clitoral hood. Even absence of both labia can be corrected if adequate clitoral hood remains. Dr. Alter invented this innovative, reconstructive, tissue-moving operation about eight years ago. He developed it out of necessity to treat the many devastated women with botched labiaplasties. The success rate with this sophisticated procedure is extremely high, and no known failures have been noted when performed by him.

The length of the labiaplasty revision or reconstruction surgery depends on your deformity and the required procedures. This surgery can take as little as an hour or as long as 4-5 hours. The revision of a botched labiaplasty is much more difficult than the initial labia reduction, so the time for labiaplasty reconstruction surgery may take much longer. The important decisions are choosing the correct labiaplasty reconstruction procedures and the plastic surgeon with the best skills to perform them. Length of surgery should not influence this decision.

Most of the painful areas after a labiaplasty are due to tender scars. Most surgeons perform a trimming labiaplasty in which the entire labial edge is cut back with a scalpel, scissors, or laser. Therefore, the entire labial edge is a scar, which has a much higher chance of painful areas in contrast to the Alter “wedge” technique. With labiaplasty reconstruction, Dr. Alter can almost always remove the painful scars with his sophisticated labiaplasty revision techniques and eliminate, or markedly reduce, the pain.

It might be hard to believe this, but the labiaplasty reconstruction is usually only mildly painful. If your previous labiaplasty was performed by the trimming technique, like many women, you likely experienced a prolonged period of pain. This rarely, if ever, happens with Dr. Alter’s labia reconstructions. Most women return to work in less than a week with only mild discomfort.

You need to apply ice and antibiotic ointment for two days. You can shower the first day after surgery. There are no catheters, requirements for baths, or wound care. After two days, there is nothing to do except to heal with mild discomfort. The sutures dissolve in 3-6 weeks. You can resume exercise in a month and sexual intercourse in six weeks.

The cost of reconstruction varies depending on what needs to be done. Fortunately, insurance will often cover part of the expense for the botched labiaplasty repair, because the surgery is a reconstruction of a normal body part and not cosmetic. At times, an PPO will even cover the cost to fix your botched labiaplasty, because the PPO often recognizes Dr. Alter’s unique skills and qualifications. Our staff will negotiate directly with the insurance company or PPO on your behalf to try to get your surgery approved. We also work with several finance companies.

Yes, in most cases, even if it is not genital related. Dr. Alter often performs breast augmentation or liposuction at the same time as the reconstructive surgery. Visit www.altermd.com for more information.

We encourage out-of-town patients seeking genital reconstruction to email photos to consultant@altermd.com. Dr. Alter will then do a phone consultation to discuss your specific situation and needs. We will assist you in finding lodging, etc. Dr. Alter will see you on the day before your surgery and will discuss the surgical plan in depth, usually showing photos of reconstructive procedures on similar patients. Depending on your operation, you can return home 3-5 days after surgery. Any later questions can be handled by phone and/or email correspondence.