What is Vaginoplasty Surgery? How is it Performed?

What is Vaginoplasty Surgery?

Vaginal tightening surgery or vaginoplasty is a surgical operation performed to reshape the vaginal muscles, perineum and other tissues in the vaginal area that have loosened for various reasons and to restore the vaginal anatomy. Vaginal tightening surgery is also known as vaginoplasty or vaginal aesthetics.

Vaginal tightening surgery, which is a completely gynecological and reconstructive operation, is performed by gynecologists and obstetricians who are trained in this field.

Procedures such as labiaplasty, perineal aesthetics and clitoral aesthetics can be performed simultaneously with vaginal tightening surgery. Of course, the doctor and patient should decide together on the necessity of these operations.

Why is Vaginoplasty Surgery Performed?

Vaginal tightening surgery is performed to prevent all these problems caused by congenital diseases, injuries, and deformations of the vaginal area, and to restore the vaginal anatomy by correcting the deformations, that is, to narrow the vagina.

One of the components that form the connective tissues in the vagina, which consists of muscles and connective tissues, is collagen. In women, pregnancy, vaginal birth, hormonal reasons, and advancing age can negatively affect the connective tissues. As a result, some deformations may occur in the vagina. One of these deformations is vaginal expansion. Vaginal birth, in particular, is the most common cause of vaginal expansion.

Vaginal expansion is a condition that negatively affects women's sexual life. As a result of vaginal expansion, it may become difficult for partners to achieve sexual satisfaction since full contact between the penis and vagina cannot occur during sexual intercourse. In addition, the sound coming from the vagina during intercourse or the air coming out after intercourse are conditions that develop due to vaginal expansion.

Such situations may cause negative effects on sexual life over time. At the same time, the incidence of vaginal infections increases as a result of vaginal expansion.

Things to Consider Before Vaginoplasty Surgery

To achieve the desired success of vaginoplasty, it is crucial to consider the following points before surgery:

• Before deciding on vaginal tightening surgery, it is essential to consult with a specialist gynecologist or urogynecologist. As a result of the doctor's examination, it is determined whether the person needs vaginal tightening surgery or what type of surgery will be performed.
• It is very important to evaluate the current health status before surgery. At this stage, the patient should inform the doctor about the medications he/she uses, chronic diseases or allergies. The doctor may ask you to stop taking any medications that may negatively affect the operation before the surgery.
• Before the surgery, it is checked whether there is any infection. If there are problems such as urinary tract infection or vaginal discharge, these must be treated. Therefore, if the patient has any complaints, he/she must share them with his/her doctor before the surgery.
• It is very important to keep smoking and alcohol consumption to a minimum, or even to avoid it if possible, before surgery.
• Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 24 hours before the surgery.
• With the doctor's guidance, blood, urine and pap smear tests may be performed before surgery.
• Since vaginal tightening surgery cannot be performed on pregnant people, a pregnancy test must be performed before surgery if there is any suspicion of pregnancy.
• You should not eat or drink anything 10-12 hours before the surgery.

How is Vaginal Tightening (Vaginoplasty) Surgery Performed?

Since vaginal tightening surgery is a surgical operation, it is performed under general anesthesia and in hospitals or clinics. In some cases, it can be performed with local anesthesia or sedation (light sleep anesthesia) depending on the doctor's approval.

During vaginal tightening surgery, the expanded or excessive tissue in the vagina is removed. The tissues are then brought together to compress the vaginal tissue and muscles. These stitches are surgical stitches that can dissolve into the tissue.

If no intervention was performed on the inner and outer lips of the vulva area outside the vagina during the operation, stitch marks will not be visible and there will be no need to remove the stitches after the operation since they will dissolve inside. Typical vaginal tightening surgery takes approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the patient's needs. The patient can usually be discharged on the same day or after a one-night hospital stay, as directed by the doctor.

Things to Consider After Vaginoplasty Surgery

The following points are crucial for the success of vaginal tightening surgery, both before and after the surgery. In this sense, the points that need to be taken into consideration after surgery are as follows:

• As with any surgical operation, the rest and recovery period is very important after the vaginal tightening operation. Importance should be given to rest in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.
• The surgical area must be kept dry and clean. At this stage, it is important to follow the wound care instructions given by the doctor and to apply the necessary dressings.
• It is very important to take painkillers, antibiotics and similar medications recommended by the doctor regularly after the surgery to ensure a comfortable post-operative recovery period.
• If you notice any signs of infection in the surgical area, you should consult a doctor.
• Establishing a healthy eating routine and drinking plenty of water after surgery is extremely important to accelerate the healing process.
• After the surgery, sexual intercourse should be avoided for the period determined by the doctor.
• It is very important to avoid strenuous physical activities for the period recommended by the doctor.
• When symptoms such as bleeding and fever are noticed, a doctor should be consulted without delay.
• Doctor check-ups must be done on time and without interruption.
• Some side effects may occur after vaginal tightening surgery, but these are generally not serious.

The most common side effects after vaginal tightening surgery are:

• Pain: As with any surgical operation, the patient may feel pain in the operation area after the vaginal tightening operation. Pain is usually relieved with painkillers prescribed by the doctor.
• Swelling and Bruising: It is normal to experience swelling and bruising in the surgical area. These effects will disappear on their own within a few weeks. However, if it lasts longer, you should definitely consult a doctor.
• Bleeding: A small amount of bleeding after surgery is normal. This bleeding is expected to disappear within a few days. In case of excessive bleeding, you should consult a doctor without delay.
• Infection: As with any surgical operation, there is a risk of infection in vaginal tightening surgery. It is very important to keep the surgical area clean to prevent infection. Antibiotics are also effective in preventing infection.
• Sensory Changes: After surgery, some women may experience symptoms such as increased sensitivity or numbness. These symptoms usually return to normal over time. However, in cases such as loss of sensation that does not improve for a long time, a doctor should be consulted.

Vaginal Tightening (Vaginoplasty) Surgery Recovery Process

The recovery period for vaginal tightening surgery takes approximately a few weeks, provided the doctor's recommendations are followed. Light bleeding may occur in the first 48 hours after surgery. Although the patient can return to daily life within 1-2 days, full recovery may take 4 to 6 weeks.

The patient can take a bath with warm water 1 day after the surgery. It is normal to experience slight swelling and bruising in the surgical area for 1-2 weeks after surgery. However, if the swelling/bruising does not heal within a week, it is necessary to consult a surgeon.

It is very important not to experience constipation for a few weeks after surgery to prevent any negative effects on the healing process. For this reason, anti-constipation medications can be used after consulting a doctor.

It is very important not to swim in the sea or pool for 1 month after the surgery to prevent the risk of infection. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 4-6 weeks after the surgery. Lubricant can be used during the first sexual intercourse after surgery, after consulting the doctor.

Vaginal Tightening (Vaginoplasty) Surgery Exercises

Following the vaginoplasty procedure, pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can be performed with the doctor's recommendation. Practicing these exercises, which can be started after a certain period of time after the surgery (it is recommended that this period be determined with the surgeon), will increase the success of the vaginal tightening surgery.

Vaginal tightening exercises are very important in strengthening the vaginal muscles and regaining their contraction ability. Kegel exercises are usually done by tightening and releasing the pelvic floor muscles located around the vagina.

Kegel exercises are exercises that can be done at home, at work, or while driving during the day. The bladder should be empty during the exercises. Vaginal tightening movements, called Kegel exercises, also help prevent problems such as urinary incontinence, uterine prolapse, and bladder prolapse; increasing pleasure during sexual intercourse; and solving orgasm problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vaginal Tightening (Vaginoplasty) Surgery

What does vaginoplasty mean?

Vaginoplasty is a procedure that aims to "tighten" the vagina that has become loose or narrow due to injuries, congenital anomalies, vaginal delivery, or aging.

Is vaginoplasty permanent?

The most important feature of vaginal tightening surgeries is that they provide permanent tightness in the vagina. A person who has vaginal tightening surgery will not experience vaginal loosening again unless they have another vaginal birth.

Who can undergo vaginal tightening surgery?

Vaginal tightening surgery can be performed on any woman over the age of 18 who has complaints such as lack of pleasure and loss of sensation during sexual intercourse in herself or her partner, problems with gas/air leakage or sound coming from the vagina, recurring discharge and infection problems. Women who have never given birth can also have vaginal tightening surgery. However, since vaginal birth may cause vaginal dilation problems again, it is recommended to have a cesarean section after this surgery or to perform the operation after all previous births are completed.

Who cannot undergo vaginal tightening surgery?

Vaginal tightening surgery is not a method that can be applied to every patient. Vaginal tightening surgery may not be applicable to the following patients:

• People with chronic illnesses or serious medical conditions,
• Pregnant women,
• People who are menstruating (having menstrual bleeding),
• People with active infections,
• People with wound healing problems,
• People with severe obesity,
• People with excessive bleeding.

In addition, the doctor must decide whether vaginal tightening surgery should be performed in people with serious mental health problems.

What is vaginal tightening laser treatment?

One of the vaginal tightening operations is laser vaginal tightening. Laser vaginal tightening is a procedure usually performed under local anesthesia. During the operation, the vaginal wall is tightened by heating or compressing the vaginal tissue with laser beams. Anesthesia is generally not used in this procedure.

Laser vaginal tightening surgery usually takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour, and the patient is usually discharged the same day. After the operation, the patient may feel mild swelling and discomfort for approximately 3-5 days. The recovery process is usually much quicker than with surgery. Laser vaginal tightening is often known as non-surgical vaginal tightening, but its effectiveness may not be as high as surgical operation.