What to Expect Before, During & After Labia Majora Reduction Surgery

woman's hand touching lower part of her abdomen

If you’re looking for labia majora reduction in Newark, you may be curious about how to prepare, what happens in the operating room, and how long healing takes. This guide, prepared with insight from Mehdi Balakhani, DDS, MD, FACS, explains each stage of labia majora surgery in clear, practical terms to help you know what’s ahead before, during, and after the procedure.

Pre-Surgery: Preparing for Labia Majoraplasty

Before scheduling labia majora reduction, you’ll meet with Dr. Mehdi Balakhani, an experienced plastic surgeon in Delaware, to discuss your goals and medical history. It is an opportunity to learn about anesthesia options, review your labia majora procedure steps, and decide whether outer labia reduction is right for you.

Preparation often includes:

Pausing blood-thinning medications
Avoiding smoking or nicotine use
Arranging help at home for the first day or two after surgery
Wearing loose, breathable clothing for comfort post-procedure

Patients who are also considering treatments such as labiaplasty surgery or vaginoplasty surgery sometimes discuss combining procedures to address multiple concerns at once.

During Surgery: What Happens in the OR

A labia majora reduction typically takes one to two hours and is performed as an outpatient procedure at our accredited cosmetic surgery facilities in Newark and Wilmington. Under local or general anesthesia, Dr. Balakhani makes carefully placed incisions along natural folds to remove excess tissue. This approach helps minimize visible scarring while maintaining natural contours.

For some patients, particularly those considering female genital cosmetic surgery as part of a mommy makeover, labia majoraplasty can be performed in combination with other body procedures.

After Surgery: Recovery and Healing

First 1–3 weeks

Mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness are common during the early recovery period after labia majoraplasty. You’ll be given detailed labia majora surgery aftercare instructions, which may include gentle cleansing, wearing cotton underwear, and avoiding prolonged sitting without a cushion.

Most patients return to desk work within 1–2 weeks, but it’s important to avoid strenuous activity until cleared by your surgeon. You can learn more about recovering after a labiaplasty from our informative blog, which offers additional tips for outer labia reduction.

Weeks 3–6

By this stage, swelling has decreased and comfort has improved. You should still avoid sexual activity and high-impact exercise until around the six-week mark or later. Dr. Balakhani will let you know when normal activities can resume.

Months 2–6

Residual swelling fades gradually, and final results become more visible. Scar tissue continues to mature over several months. For some, full recovery overlaps with other body contouring goals, such as body contouring after major weight loss.

Managing Discomfort & Promoting Healing After Labia Majora Reduction

To support comfort and healing after outer labia reduction, many patients at Mehdi Balakhani MD find these tips helpful:

Take prescribed medications as directed.
Keep the surgical site clean and dry.
Use cold compresses to help reduce swelling in the first few days.
Avoid tight clothing or anything that puts pressure on the area.
Attend all follow-up appointments for progress checks.

If you’re curious about the differences between procedures, our blog on labiaplasty vs. vaginal rejuvenation explains how various female genital cosmetic surgery options compare.

Considering Labia Majora Reduction?

For Newark patients and New Castle County in Delaware, Mehdi Balakhani, DDS, MD, FACS, provides detailed guidance at every step, from preparing for labia majoraplasty to complete healing after the procedure.

To learn more, fill out our online form or contact us and schedule a consultation to discuss your needs.