Vaginal Rejuvenation Surgery

Vaginal Rejuvenation: The Pre-op Stage

Before your vaginal rejuvenation surgery, you will meet with your doctor for a consultation. Bring a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you take. You should also be prepared to talk about what you hope to achieve and your perceived outcomes of the surgery.

Your surgeon will give you a physical examination, which will probably involve a manual inspection of your vagina to determine your level of laxity and if you are a good candidate for the procedure. You might also need to additional screening tests, and to have your blood and urine tested. In addition, your doctor will require a pap smear and a pregnancy test to authorize your candidacy for the procedure. This pre-screening process is used for precautionary purposes to ensure you are in optimum heath before the procedure.

If your doctor deems you healthy enough to undergo the surgery, then you are free to set up an appointment for your vaginal rejuvenation surgery! The doctor will likely give you some specific instructions for how to prepare for your procedure:

• He/she might instruct you to stop taking certain supplements in advance of the surgery, and after to help healing and recovery.
• You will be encouraged to stop smoking and drinking a couple of weeks before your surgery, which will help reduce your recovery time and minimize blood loss during the surgery.
• You will need to refrain from eating and drinking anything but water for 8 - 12 hours before your surgery
• Avoid sexual intercourse at least 24 hours prior to surgery.
• Before your surgery day, fill prescriptions for painkillers and antibiotics prescribed to you by your specialist.
• Prepare in advance for your recovery period. Get simple, easy-to-prepare foods, a lot of water, magazines, books, DVDs and items that will help you get through the recovery period.
• You probably won't be out for too long, but you will enjoy yourself more if you have a book to read or movies to watch.
• Arrange with a friend or family member to drive you to and from your surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself home because of lingering effects from the anesthesia.
• Someone should be with you for a day or two after the surgery in case you need assistance, especially if you have young children.
• Prepare to take some time off work. Many women are able to return to their jobs in less than a week, but how long it will take you will depend on your health and on how strenuous your job is. Your doctor will advise you on how much time to take off work.

Vaginal Rejuvenation: The Day Of Surgery

On the day of your surgery, you will go to the surgical center a couple hours early, and you might have one final pre-operative consultation. You will be prepped for surgery and changed into a surgical gown, and then the surgical area will be cleaned in preparation for the procedure.

Your vaginal rejuvenation surgery will be performed under local or general anesthesia. If it is performed under local anesthetic, you might be given a sedative to help you relax.

Once you've been anesthetized, the surgery will begin. If the surgeon is using a scalpel, he or she will tighten the vaginal opening and walls by making incisions around the vagina. Loose muscles might be tightened and shortened, and excess tissue might be removed. This will reduce the vaginal diameter. Once the surgeon is finished, he or she will close the incisions and dress the area.

If you are undergoing laser vaginal rejuvenation surgery, the surgeon will make similar corrections, but it will be performed using a surgical laser instead of a scalpel. There will be no incisions to close.

The surgery will take around an hour and a half.

Vaginal Rejuvenation: Recovery

After your vaginal rejuvenation surgery, you might experience swelling and discomfort. The pain should be easily controlled with prescribed pain medication. Your discomfort could last for about a week after surgery, and it will lessen with time.

You will want to take it easy for the first day or two after your surgery. Even after you can get up and move around, you'll want to take it easy. Avoid straining when you defecate; straining during a bowel movement can cause significant pelvic pressure, which can cause your incisions to reopen. Avoid heavy lifting, which can also cause pelvic pressure.

Do not rush back to exercise or strenuous activity. Give yourself the time to heal and recover. You'll thank yourself later.

You will probably be able to return to work within about a week of surgery. However, if your job involves lifting and strenuous movement, it might take longer to return.

You should not put anything into your vagina for at least one month following vaginal surgery. This includes vibrators, tampons and douches. Avoid sexual intercourse until your surgeon advises you to resume.

Once you've reached a certain level of healing, your surgeon might recommend some light stretching of the vaginal tissues, which help avoid building up excessive scar tissue. It can also prevent your vagina from becoming too tight, resulting in painful sexual intercourse.

As you recover, wear loose clothing to minimize chafing and discomfort. Avoid jeans, thongs and other rough or tight-fitting clothing.

Vaginal Rejuvenation: Immediate Side Effects

A number of side effects are possible after a vaginal rejuvenation. Many of these are short-lived and minor.

• Small amounts of bleeding and bruising are common.
• Redness and swelling are also common, and a temporary loss of sensation is fairly normal. These tend to lessen with time, and normal sensation usually returns within a couple of months.
• If you experience excessive bleeding, or if the stitches come free before they are supposed to be removed, notify your doctor.
• Maintaining proper hygiene and taking antibiotics can avoid infections. If you develop signs of infection, notify your surgeon. Signs include redness and swelling that do not go down with time, unusual discharge and fever.

Vaginal Rejuvenation: Long-Term Side Effects

Vaginal rejuvenation is considered a safe and easy procedure. However, complications can arise.

Long-lasting side effects from the surgery are rare, but patients should be advised that they are possible.

Occasionally, temporary or permanent loss of sensation occurs. In most cases, sensation returns within a few weeks of surgery. Although some vaginal tightness increases sensitivity and pleasure, a vagina that is too tight can cause difficult sex. Take this into account as you and your doctor decide how much your vaginal diameter should be reduced. Additionally, as you recover, your doctor will instruct you on exercises that will help you recover promptly and get back to normal as soon as possible.

Tissue death, also called tissue necrosis, is extremely rare. If this happens, the dead tissue will need to be amputated, and this could have serious health and sexual repercussions. This effect is more common among smokers; if you smoke, stop smoking as your surgeon directs to avoid the possibility of added complications from this surgery.

Over all, women have very good results and are pleased with their decision to have vaginal rejuvenation surgery.