Like any surgery, labiaplasty can have risks. For this particular procedure, that includes bleeding, infection, scarring, wound separation, changes in sensation, persistent pain, painful intercourse, dissatisfaction with cosmetic results, and the possibility of needing revision surgery.
The physicians I spoke with also flagged the lack of training opportunities for aspiring labiaplasty specialists. Dr. Alter told me that labiaplasty is generally not taught extensively during plastic surgery or gynecology residency, unless a physician trains directly under someone who specializes in the procedure, which he says is uncommon. “Detailed instruction on female anatomy and vulvar procedures has also not traditionally been part of formal medical education,” Dr. Poucher adds. Instead, many surgeons develop labiaplasty expertise through additional education, research, publications, conferences, and performing a high volume of cases. (I reached out to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to ask how many surgeons currently specialize in labiaplasty, but did not receive a response.)
Dr. Umbareen Mahmood, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York, shared something similar, explaining that while some residency programs now include labiaplasty training, many surgeons—particularly those who completed training years ago—developed their expertise through specialized education after residency.
But that lack of education doesn’t just apply to surgeons—it affects patients, like myself, too. Social media has become a massive resource of information about plastic surgery options…though the quality of that information can vary. “There’s only so much educating you can do in a 30-second social media post,” Dr. Poucher says. She told me that educational content about female anatomy is often flagged or restricted on social media, making it harder for physicians to share factual information. “Even when the goal is purely educational, you often have to tailor the content to avoid sensitive violations,” she says. “That creates another barrier to getting accurate information into patients’ hands.”
This combination explained why researching labiaplasty felt so difficult. Without long-term research, standardized training, and accessible patient education, it’s incredibly difficult to understand not only what labiaplasty is, but ultimately decide if the procedure could be the right choice for you.
Choosing a Labiaplasty Surgeon
Emboldened by months of research, Reddit rabbit holes, and conversations with women who had undergone the procedure, I decided to seriously consider labiaplasty. I scheduled consultations with about six board-certified ob-gyns and plastic surgeons across a few major cities. (I arguably overdid it a bit here, but I would recommend speaking to as many providers as possible before making your final choice.)
Both board-certified ob-gyns and plastic surgeons perform labiaplasty, but because formal training in the procedure isn’t standardized, every doctor I interviewed emphasized that a surgeon’s experience and track record with labiaplasty mattered far more than their specialty alone.
I live in a major city where many reputable doctors list labiaplasty as a procedure they offer, but when I looked more closely at before-and-after photos, patient reviews, and actual experience, I felt like I found very few that are true experts at performing it. “You want someone who specializes in labiaplasty, not someone who ‘can do’ labiaplasty,” says Dr. Poucher. “I also recommend that you choose a board-certified doctor who is performing labiaplasty at least a few times a week—not a few times a month or year.”
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