Vaginal reconstructive surgery, often dubbed ?feminine reconstructive surgery? by the media, testifies to the changing face of today?s women. There was a time when a woman would think twice about consulting a doctor for a medical problem concerning her genitalia. Today, she is no longer inhibited about going under the knife to improve her sex life or for other physiological benefits. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, close to 1000 restoration surgeries were performed in 2006 for cosmetic reasons alone.

What Is Vaginal Restoration Surgery?

Vaginal restoration surgery or vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure where the lining of the vagina and the muscles around it are tightened. Other related procedures are labiaplasty (surgical reduction of the labia) and hymenoplasty (reconstruction of a ruptured hymen).

Who Can Benefit From Vaginal Restoration Surgery?

Cosmetic vaginal surgery has the potential to improve the physical appearance of the genitalia as well as enhance the sexual experience for both the woman and her partner. This could also lead the way to psychological benefits like improved self-esteem and self-worth.

Apart from enhancing sexual pleasure for women, vaginal restoration surgery is also medically indicated for certain physiological conditions. Vaginal restoration surgery may be beneficial for you if:

• You have recently or previously given birth to one or multiple children: After a long and difficult delivery of a large baby, delivery with the aid of instruments, or multiple childbirths, the vagina, along with its supporting muscle and tissue mass, becomes stretched and loses its elasticity. This causes loss of friction during intercourse and other problems such as incontinence and increased risk of prolapse.
• You have suffered perineal trauma: Trauma to the perineum, as occurs in violent sexual assault and straddle injuries, may result in stretching of tissues and tissue expansion, leading to loss of elasticity and tears.
• You have undergone surgical removal of the vagina as part of treatment for malignancies of the genitalia.
• You have other conditions such as a prolapsed pelvis resulting from the weakening of the muscles at the base of the pelvis, stress incontinence of urine, or labial hypertrophy or asymmetrical labial growth secondary to congenital conditions.
• You feel the need to reshape unsightly or uncomfortable external genitalia or want to enhance your sexual experience by improving the vaginal tone.

What To Expect During Vaginal Restoration Surgery

A typical vaginoplasty procedure will last anywhere from 60?90 minutes. The procedure can be performed under either a local anesthetic with sedation or a general anesthetic. A minor portion of the interior vaginal wall lining is removed during the surgery. The surgeon then tightens the surrounding soft tissues, using absorbable sutures. In case of reconstruction of the vagina, bowel segments, muscle and skin grafts from the thigh, or muscle tissue from the lower abdomen are used.

Patients can expect swelling and discomfort for five to six days. Complete recovery can take anywhere between a week to 10 days, although abstinence is recommended for six weeks.

The complications

As with any other surgery, vaginal restoration surgery comes with its own risks. Some of the complications of the surgery are:

Infection

Hemorrhage

Injury to the bowels

Nerve damage Some women may also feel pain during sexual intercourse, especially if their vaginal muscles were not too lax to begin with.

Vaginal Restoration: A New Frontier

Every year, millions of women undergo a variety of cosmetic procedures. Today they are going one step further ? tightening the vaginal muscles, shortening their labia and restoring their hymen. Vaginal restoration surgery to correct or alleviate medical problems has long been accepted and widely practiced. The concept of ?designer vaginas? is now gaining acceptance, albeit slowly.

Whether women undergo vaginal restoration for medical reasons or cosmetic purposes, there is no denying the fact that the end result is a woman with an improved quality of life.