Vaginoplasty Risks & Precautions

Clinic 360
Like any surgical procedure, vaginoplasty carries a number of risks that must be understood prior to undergoing any vaginal tightening procedure. The most common risks are complications associated with anaesthesia, bleeding, scarring, and infection. It is important that you discuss pre-existing medical conditions, as well as any medications you are taking, with your surgeon at your initial consultation.

Clinic 360 devotes substantial time to each patient, providing the attention to detail and reliable service patients expect of a premier cosmetic surgery clinic. Patients are encouraged to contact the clinic with any concerns before and after vaginoplasty. Extensive follow-up routines are designed with the safety and comfort of patients in mind, ensuring that recovery takes place smoothly and that patient satisfaction remains a top priority.

Potential Risks

General Anaesthesia

Your surgeon or anesthesiologist will recommend the best type of anaesthesia for your particular procedure. While some vaginal tightening procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia, which carries minimal risk of complications, your surgeon may recommend general anaesthesia, which carries slightly more risk, and therefore requires the presence of a board-certified anesthesiologist.

It is important that you inform your surgeon of any drugs, medications, or contraindicated foods you may have taken prior to your surgery. Some patients may experience adverse side effects related to anaesthesia, such as allergic reaction. While your anesthesiologist is fully trained to handle such situations, it is crucial to inform your surgeon of any potential allergies, suspected or otherwise. While they can be serious, complications arising from anaesthesia are rare, and your anesthesiologist is trained to handle this.

Smoking

Patients are advised to refrain from smoking before and after surgery, as certain chemicals in cigarettes alter the way that blood carries oxygen and can result in complications with healing post surgery. Similarly, certain drugs and herbal supplements, such as ginseng, garlic, gingko biloba, Vitamin E, and St. John’s Wort can interfere with anaesthesia, and should be avoided for at least a week prior to surgery.

Taking Certain Medications & Herbal Supplements

Bleeding is another potential risk of any surgical procedure, including vaginoplasty. Certain medications and herbal supplements, such as Aspirin and some anti-inflammatories can prevent blood from clotting properly, as can foods such as garlic and alcohol. These should be avoided for at least two weeks prior to surgery, as well as after surgery, as they may also worsen bruising. If pain medication is necessary for any reason, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended, as it does not interfere with blood’s ability to clot. After surgery, it is possible that stitches may be torn out, which could also pose a bleeding risk and subject the incisions to infection. It is therefore important to avoid partaking in any strenuous activity, and to avoid bending and stretching as much as possible until all sutures have healed. In rare cases, injury to deep layers of vaginal tissue may occur if internal stitches are dislodged, and additional corrective surgery may be required.

Scarring

Because vaginal tightening surgery involves making incisions, scarring is a potential risk. However, most scarring will be minimal and limited to discrete areas, such as the inside of the vagina. Specialized laser techniques greatly reduce the risks of both bleeding, scarring, and infection by cauterizing tissue as incisions are made. The process of cauterization essentially sterilizes and seals incisions with heat. In rare cases, the formation of excess scar tissue can result in a loss of sensitivity in the vaginal area.

Infection

Infection is another risk present in any surgical procedure. Your vaginoplasty will be performed in a clean, sterile environment according to strict infection-sensitive guidelines, making the risk of infection minimal. Your surgeon may prescribe an oral or topical antibiotic in order to ward off any post-surgical infection. Loose-fitting clothing is recommended, as is wearing a light sanitary napkin. Contact the clinic immediately if you experience any serious symptoms, such as severe or sudden pain, bleeding, shortness of breath or chest tightness, fever, foul discharge, or other signs of infection.

Risk of Injury to the Surrounding Organs

Because vaginal tightening procedures target sensitive and delicate areas, there is a risk of injury to the bladder, rectum, and surrounding organs, as well as a risk of nerve damage. Rest assured that these risks are exceptionally rare, and that you are in the hands of qualified gynaecological specialists with extensive experience in vaginal tightening surgeries.

What to Expect After Surgery

It is important to maintain realistic expectations following vaginoplasty. Healing may take longer than normal, and your surgeon will arrange a number of follow-up visits in order to monitor your progress. Mild to moderate pain, swelling, bruising, and tenderness are to be expected for the first few days. Your surgeon may prescribe pain medication and recommend the application of cold compresses or ice packs to the surgical area. It is important to discuss with your consulting physician in detail the level of vaginal tightness desired prior to surgery. It is also important to be aware that undergoing vaginal tightening surgery does not guarantee sexual satisfaction, which is a highly subjective and complex mechanism that is reliant on a number of factors.

Book a Consult!

Patient safety and comfort is of paramount importance to Clinic 360, and every measure is taken to ensure that any risks are minimized or eliminated altogether. Thorough consultations are provided to each patient, where detailed medical records are documented and any concerns are addressed prior to any vaginal tightening procedure. Only specialized gynaecological surgeons who are highly qualified and experienced in vaginal cosmetic procedures have been carefully selected to work at the clinic. Medical facilities are modern, clean and comfortable, and every precaution is taken to ensure a sterile operating environment, including storing all medications according to strict guidelines. Many procedures are performed using state-of-the-art laser technology, which minimizes the surgical contact inherent to traditional surgical methods, greatly reducing the risk of bleeding, scarring, and infection.
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Vaginoplasty Risks FAQ

Are there any risks associated with vaginal tightening procedures?
Because vaginoplasty is surgery, it does carry a number of risks. The most common risks are those associated with anaesthesia, bleeding, infection and scarring. In exceptionally rare cases, patients may endure damage to the rectum, bladder, and surrounding organs, or nerves and other tissue. Rest assured that at Clinic 360 you are in the hands of qualified gynaecological specialists who are highly trained to avoid damage to this complex and sensitive area.
What are the risks associated with anaesthesia?
Some patients may experience adverse reactions to anaesthesia, including anaphylaxis brought on by an allergic reaction. While some vaginal tightening procedures can be performed using local anaesthesia, which carries minimal risk of complications, more extensive or combined procedures may require the use of general anaesthetic. When this is the case, a board-certified anaesthesiologist will be present to administer spinal, epidural, IV sedation, nerve block, or general sedation. While they can be serious, reactions to anaesthesia are rare, and your anaesthesiologist is trained to handle them.
Is there anything I can do reduce the risks associated with anaesthesia when undergoing vaginoplasty?
In order to mitigate the risks associated with anaesthesia, it is important to inform your surgeon of any known or suspected reactions to medications, as well as providing a detailed medical history. Patients are also advised to refrain from smoking before and after surgery, as certain chemicals in cigarettes may alter the way that blood carries oxygen, which could interfere with the effectiveness of anaesthesia. Patients are cautioned to avoid certain drugs and herbal supplements, such as ginseng, gingko biloba, garlic, Vitamin E, and St. John’s Wort, which may also interfere with anaesthesia. It is crucial that you inform your surgeon of any medications, including herbal supplements, you may have taken prior to surgery.
What can I do to reduce the risk of bleeding during and after vaginoplasty?
Certain foods and medications, such as alcohol, garlic, Aspirin and some anti-inflammatories can prevent blood from clotting properly, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding during and after surgery, and potentially worsening bruising. It is best to avoid these foods in the weeks leading up to and following surgery, and to inform your surgeon if you have taken any medications or consumed any foods which are natural anticoagulants. In addition, patients are advised to avoid any strenuous activity, as well as excessive bending or stretching, as this increases the risk of tearing sutures, which may also cause excessive bleeding. Minor bleeding is normal and can be expected in the days following surgery.
What is the risk of scarring following vaginoplasty?
Because vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure that typically involves making incisions, there is an associated risk of scarring. However, scarring is usually minimal and limited to discrete areas. Specialized laser techniques can greatly reduce the risk of scarring following vaginoplasty. Lasers cauterize as they incise, essentially sealing and sterilizing incisions as they are made. In rare cases, the formation of excess scar tissue may lead to a loss of sensitivity in the vaginal area. Your surgeon may recommend specific exercises to stimulate blood flow to the surgical area, promoting healing and discouraging the formation of excess scar tissue.
What is the risk of infection after vaginoplasty?
While any surgery carries some risk of infection, Clinic 360 will take the utmost care to minimize this risk. Your vaginoplasty will be performed in a clean, sterile environment that adheres to rigorous infection-sensitive standards. The procedure will also be scheduled around your menstrual cycle. Your surgeon may prescribe an oral or topical antibiotic in order to mitigate the risk of infection following surgery, and patients are advised to keep the vaginal area clean and dry following any vaginal tightening procedure. A light sanitary napkin is recommended in the days following the procedure, as well as loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
What if my results are not what I expected following vaginoplasty?
It is important to maintain realistic expectation after undergoing a vaginal tightening procedure. Your initial consultation is the best time to discuss your expectations with your surgeon, who will describe the types of results you can anticipate. Healing times vary between women, so it is important to be patient if your recovery time is longer than average. You will be scheduled for follow-up visits to ensure your recovery is going smoothly. Mild to moderate pain and discomfort can be expected following vaginoplasty, and mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness are not uncommon. Overtightening of the vagina is possible and could lead to painful intercourse, making it crucial to discuss your expectations in detail at your initial consultation. Physical therapy and a vaginal dilator may also be suggested by your surgeon in order to alleviate this condition. Finally, it is important to be aware that undergoing vaginal tightening does not guarantee sexual satisfaction, which is complex and highly subjective.
What measures does the clinic take to reduce the risks associated with vaginoplasty?
At Clinic 360, our patients’ safety and comfort are of paramount importance, and every measure is taken to mitigate the risks associated with surgery. Our medical facilities are clean, modern, and designed with patient comfort in mind. Thorough consultations provide the opportunity for patients to express their concerns, and detailed medical records are collected. Clinic 360 employs only qualified gynaecological specialists who are highly trained in their fields. Medications are stored according to strict guidelines and the clinic adheres to rigorous infection-sensitive standards. All equipment is state-of-the-art and designed to minimize risks, such as laser technology that greatly reduces the risks of scarring, bleeding, and infection. Clinic 360 devotes substantial time to ensuring that each patient receives top quality care with the utmost attention to detail. Extensive follow-up routines ensure that patients recover smoothly, and patient satisfaction is the clinic’s number one objective.