Botched Labiaplasty: Can It Be Fixed? Labiaplasty Revision in Michigan
Labiaplasty is intended to reduce or reshape unwanted labial tissue while preserving natural anatomy, comfort and function.
But what happens when the original result is not what a woman expected?
Some patients contact Dr. Joseph Berenholz saying:
“Too much of my labia was removed.”
“One side is much shorter than the other.”
“My labia look uneven after surgery.”
“I have painful scar tissue.”
“The edges look unnatural.”
“My labiaplasty was botched. Can it be fixed?”
These concerns may lead a woman to consider revision labiaplasty.
At the Michigan Center for Women’s Health in Farmington Hills, Dr. Joseph Berenholz evaluates women from Detroit, Metro Detroit and throughout Michigan who are dissatisfied with a previous labiaplasty performed elsewhere.
What Is Revision Labiaplasty?
Revision labiaplasty is surgery performed after a previous labiaplasty when a patient has a functional, anatomical or cosmetic concern.
Possible reasons for seeking revision include:
- Excessive tissue removal
- Inadequate tissue removal
- Significant asymmetry
- Irregular labial edges
- Painful scars
- Tissue separation
- Unnatural contours
- Persistent discomfort
- Dissatisfaction with appearance
Revision surgery is usually more complex than a first-time labiaplasty because the surgeon must work with tissue that has already been altered and scarred.
What Does “Botched Labiaplasty” Mean?
“Botched labiaplasty” is not a medical diagnosis.
It is the phrase patients sometimes use when they believe their original surgery produced a poor result.
One woman may use the term because she has asymmetry.
Another may have chronic discomfort.
Another may simply dislike the appearance.
The first step is determining what actually happened anatomically.
Can Too Much Labia Be Removed?
Yes.
Excessive removal is one of the potential complications of labiaplasty.
Once labial tissue has been removed, it does not simply grow back.
That makes conservative surgical planning extremely important during the first operation.
When a patient has undergone excessive reduction, revision becomes more challenging because there may be limited tissue available.
Can a Botched Labiaplasty Be Repaired?
Sometimes.
The answer depends on:
- How much tissue remains
- Location of the defect
- Amount of scar tissue
- Blood supply
- Previous surgical technique
- Whether pain or sensation is involved
- The patient’s expectations
Some problems may be significantly improved.
Others may not be completely reversible.
A responsible revision consultation should explain both possibilities.
Uneven Labia After Labiaplasty
Perfect symmetry does not naturally exist in the human body.
However, substantial asymmetry after surgery can be distressing.
One side may have:
- More remaining tissue
- A different contour
- More visible scarring
- A shorter edge
- Greater projection
Depending on the anatomy, revision may sometimes improve the difference.
What If Not Enough Labia Was Removed?
Revision is not only performed when too much tissue was removed.
Some women feel that their original surgery did not sufficiently address the tissue that bothered them.
If adequate healthy tissue remains, additional reduction may sometimes be considered.
The surgeon must be cautious, however, because additional surgery also creates additional scar tissue.
Pain After Labiaplasty
Persistent pain deserves evaluation.
Possible contributors can include:
- Scar tissue
- Nerve irritation
- Tissue tension
- Wound-healing problems
- Over-resection
- Infection or inflammation
- Another vulvar condition unrelated to the original surgery
Revision surgery is not automatically the answer to every pain problem.
The cause should be identified first.
Why Revision Labiaplasty Requires Experience
A first-time labiaplasty begins with unoperated tissue.
Revision surgery does not.
The anatomy may have been changed by:
- Tissue removal
- Sutures
- Scarring
- Altered blood supply
- Previous wound separation
This makes surgical judgment particularly important.
Dr. Berenholz has performed more than 2,000 labiaplasty and labial reduction procedures and also evaluates patients seeking revision after surgery performed elsewhere.
Labiaplasty Revision in Michigan
Dr. Berenholz practices at the Michigan Center for Women’s Health in Farmington Hills and evaluates revision patients from:
Detroit, Novi, Northville, West Bloomfield, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Southfield, Livonia, Royal Oak, Troy, Rochester Hills, Plymouth, Canton, Dearborn and throughout Michigan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revision Labiaplasty
Can labia grow back after labiaplasty?
Removed labial tissue does not simply regenerate. Remaining tissue can change or stretch over time, but tissue that has been surgically removed does not grow back in the usual sense.
Can uneven labia after labiaplasty be corrected?
Sometimes. Whether revision is possible depends on the amount and location of remaining tissue and the cause of the asymmetry.
How long should I wait before deciding my labiaplasty is botched?
Early swelling can make the labia look dramatically uneven. Final healing takes time, so revision decisions generally should not be based on appearance during early recovery unless there is an urgent complication.
Can scar tissue from labiaplasty be revised?
Certain scars may potentially be improved, depending on their location and symptoms.
Who performs revision labiaplasty in Michigan?
Dr. Joseph Berenholz evaluates women seeking labiaplasty revision at the Michigan Center for Women’s Health in Farmington Hills, serving Detroit, Metro Detroit and Michigan.
Considering Labiaplasty Revision in Michigan?
If you are concerned about the appearance, symmetry, comfort or healing of a previous labiaplasty, an examination can determine what happened and whether revision is reasonable.
Michigan Center for Women’s Health
30445 Northwestern Highway, Suite 100
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-865-0426