David A. Hidalgo MD Denouncing the recent flurry of negative articles in the press about female genital surgery known as labiaplasty, Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Grant Stevens says many women have very legitimate reasons for considering the procedure. The media frenzy is borderline irresponsible, according to Dr. Stevens, who fears it might discourage women who would benefit from labiaplasty from getting help.
"At best, much of what I've read is off the mark," the well-known plastic surgeon said. "At worst, it's inaccurate and misleading." He continued, "Unlike what these articles would have you believe, patients don't come to me with pages torn from porn magazines, wanting a so-called 'designer vagina.' It can take courage for a woman to seek help for a condition that's so personal, and in most cases they come seeking relief from pain." "Excessively large labia can cause pain in many ways," Dr. Stevens explained. Physical pain is not unusual for those so afflicted. They may experience pain with intercourse, during sports activities, or in simply wearing underwear. Some women experience trauma to the genitals, most often while giving birth, and seek labiaplasty for injuries that didn't heal properly. Women with unusually large labia can feel emotional pain and embarrassment as well, causing them to avoid intimacy. Sometimes the condition develops due to significant weight loss, leading to sagging skin all over the body including the pubic area. Some women suffer lax skin that descends with normal aging processes. Said Dr. Stevens, "When a woman avoids sexual relations due extreme self-consciousness, an entire portion of her life is missing. Whether her embarrassment stems from oversized breasts, overly large labia or another concern, it's completely reasonable to consider addressing the issue with surgery." Citing recent articles published in Great Britain advancing the idea that surgery of the genitals carries with it the risk decreased sensitivity, Dr. Stevens notes that all surgery can affect sensation. "Most of my patients in Los Angeles don't avoid breast reduction because they fear decreased nipple sensitivity," he noted. "When patients seek the care of a board-certified surgeon and follow instructions, complications are infrequent." For women seeking any surgical procedure including labiaplasty, whether in Los Angeles, Great Britain or elsewhere, Dr. Stevens' advice is the same. "Do your own research and follow your own instincts. Find an experienced, understanding plastic surgeon and discuss the alternatives. Then you can make the decision that's right for you." www.drdavidhidalgo.com
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