Vaginal Reconstruction Surgery - Restoring Vaginal Health
There are multiple procedures to help women to hold on to youth as long as they can. Vaginal rejuvenation falls into that category with promises of tightening the vagina, stopping incontinence, eliminating vaginal dryness, and more. “Childbirth and age can change a woman’s vagina”.
What is Vaginal Reconstruction?
Vaginal reconstruction means creating a brand new or artificial vagina after you have had surgery to remove your vagina (vaginectomy).
How a Vaginal Reconstruction is Done?
If you’re going to have your vagina removed during surgery, you could ask your doctor if a vaginal reconstruction is possible. One of the aims of reconstruction is to try to make vaginal intercourse possible after surgery.
During this operation a specialist doctor, referred as cosmetic/plastic surgeon, uses skin and muscle from alternative parts of your body to create a new vagina. The surgeon might use:
- A skin graft from the side of your bottom (buttock)
- Muscle and skin from your inner thighs
- Muscle tissue from your lower abdomen (called a TRAM flap or transverse musculus abdominal muscle flap)
- A piece of your bowel
This operation is not suitable for all females and some females may decide they do not wish to get this extra surgery.
A vaginal reconstruction adds to the length of the surgery and it has a few possible side effects. Also, surgery to reconstruct the vagina might not achieve success in some women. Therefor it’s vital to discuss the advantages and risks of this operation with your doctor.
This procedure is also helpful if you have:
- Chronic discomfort from bulging because of prolapse or a fallen internal reproductive organ and/or vagina
- Difficulty in emptying your bladder
Advantages of this procedure include:
- Small vaginal incision, no abdominal incision
- Short hospital stay (overnight stay)
- Faster post-operative recovery time
Surgical Inner Vaginal Rejuvenation
In contrast to surgeries that modify a female patient’s external genitalia (vulva)—the clitoral hood, labia, and the mons pubis—surgical inner vaginal rejuvenation specialize in the reconstruction of the inner vaginal opening. The foremost common surgeries that focus on the internal vaginal areas are vaginoplasty, perineoplasty, and hymenoplasty procedures.
Surgical Outer Vaginal Rejuvenation
After Surgery
You can expect to remain within the hospital for 1-2 days after surgery. Before you leave the hospital, your specialist schedules a follow-up appointment about 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Typical recovery for the procedure is 3-5 weeks. For the first week, you will likely need to take pain medication. Smoking will have an effect on your recovery. If you’re a smoker, it’s to quit 6-8 weeks before surgery.
You should limit your physical activity among the primary few days of recovery, and refrain from sex for 2-3 months after the surgery. You will be able to return to work 3-4 weeks after surgery.
Benefits of vaginal rejuvenation procedures
- Enhance your sexual satisfaction
- Customize your individual wants and needs
- Re-impose tightness to the vaginal area
- Your partner’s sexual appearance will get improved
- Urinary inconstancy will get improved.
Potential Side Effects and Risk Factors for Vaginal Surgery
- Risk of infection
- Loss of sensation
- Scarring
- Adverse response to anesthesia
