The public awareness and popularity of “Cosmetic Vaginal Rejuvenation” has been steadily growing for a number of years. But there are still misconceptions and misunderstandings about what CVR is really all about. There are those who think that CVR is only for sexual purposes (not true!) or taboo simply because it happens to involve a sexual part of the body. There are too many people who do not understand that these types of procedures have just as much validity and value in helping a woman’s self-esteem, body image and spirit as does any other cosmetic procedure such as liposuction, tummy tucks or breast implants!
Many women are troubled by protruding, exposed and enlarged inner labia (labia minora) which can develop during adolescence, after labor/childbirth or with the aging process. Sometimes the inner labia can be quite asymmetric with one side particularly long and drooping down. Prominent inner labia often generate significant self-consciousness and embarrassment during intimate moments. But many women also report problems with chronic irritation, burning, discomfort with many activities (such as sex, sports, or exercise) and difficulties/discomfort with many types of clothing. A labiaplasty is a highly successful procedure for alleviating most, if not all, of these problems. A labiaplasty is the most commonly performed CVR procedure and typically heals quickly, virtually invisibly and with little discomfort.
Many women have limited or inadequate size of the outer labia (labia majora), often in conjunction with enlarged inner labia. The outer labia look too thin or flat– this can occur from birth (congenital) or develop progressively with normal aging. Women feel unattractive and unsexy because the vagina looks “old”. Fat injection/sculpting techniques–the same techniques we use to plump up the lips or the cheeks or to enhance the buttocks “Brazilian Butt Lift” style–can be used to restore proper volume and shape to the outer labia as well. This is a simple procedure using one’s own body fat and simple injections, no incisions or scars, and has a very easy recovery. This procedure is often combined with a labiaplasty.
Women frequently ask if we can use liposuctioning techniques to diminish a prominence/fullness of a “puffy” area of the lower abdomen, just above the private area, known to physicians as the “mons pubis”. This area might also look like it could use a little “lift” as it may have sagged down a bit with time or after having children. Sagginess, puffiness and a droopy appearance to the mons pubis and vaginal area makes a woman feel like she is “out of shape” and sexually unappealing. A simple pubic lift/tightening and/or a mons pubis liposuction recontouring to lift, tighten and thin out the puffiness is very popular. We often include these improvements as key parts of a more general body recontouring procedure such as liposuction of the abdomen and waist or a tummy tuck. A tighter, lifted and non-puffy look to the vagina is a younger, sexier and happier state of affairs!
These are legitimate, satisfying cosmetic procedures that really help women feel better about themselves and help improve their self-esteem–and that is what CVR (and all of Cosmetic Surgery for that matter!) is really all about.
Dr. Lyle Back is originally from New York City, receiving his medical and surgical training at Rutgers Medical School, Cooper Hospital – University Medical Center, and Ohio State. He is Board Certified in General Surgery (ABS) and Plastic Surgery (ABPS). He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery (AACS), and a longstanding member of the premier American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). He served as a Professor of Plastic Surgery at Temple University and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and performed reconstructive surgery with “Operation Smile” in Vietnam. He specializes in the full range of the most modern and state of the art cosmetic surgery procedures for the body and non-surgical cosmetic enhancement techniques available today.
