Labiaplasty

The appearance of the female genitals can vary greatly from woman to woman. While there is no single “correct” genital shape, many women turn to plastic surgery to correct asymmetry or reduce the size of their labia (the “lips” surrounding the female genitals). Labiaplasty (labial reduction) is a surgical cosmetic procedure that can improve the look and function of the labia.

There are two parts of the labia: the labia majora and the labia minora. The labia majora (the outer female genitals lips) is the portion of the labia that is on the outside of the body, usually covered with pubic hair. The labia minora (the smaller, inner female genitals lips) is the portion of the labia that covers the clitoris and female genitals. Consummation, childbirth, hormones, or age can sometimes cause the labia to be stretched or become loose. An oversized labia can cause discomfort with clothes, Consummation, and exercise. In addition, it can cause hygiene problems and cause a woman to feel self-consciousness due to her labia’s appearance. A labiaplasty is used to remove extra skin and reshape the labia to give it a cosmetically prettier appearance. Labiaplasty can be performed alone or with a vaginoplasty, which tightens loose or stretched female genital tissue.

Candidates for this procedure usually are unhappy with the size or shape of their labia for either functional or cosmetic reasons. The ideal candidate is not pregnant, does not smoke, has not had complications from an episiotomy, and is in good physical health. Although there is no age requirement to undergo a labiaplasty, it is best for the candidate to wait until after she has had children because childbirth can cause the labia to stretch.

Labiaplasty is performed with general anesthetic. The excess skin is measured and marked for symmetry, and is then removed. Bleeding is controlled and absorbable sutures are used to close the incisions. The procedure takes one to two hours to complete.

LABIAPLASTY PAIN AND RECOVERY

Dr. Filiberto will give you oral medication that will help alleviate pain in the days following the procedure. Pain should lessen each day, and should subside after about ten days. This is the ideal amount of time you should request off from work, depending on your occupation. Expect some swelling after surgery. There will also be scarring with labiaplasty; however, the scars will not be very noticeable and will fade with time. Regular exercise and consummation can resume after six weeks.

You will return to the office twenty four hours after surgery for your first post-operative appointment.  Ten days after the surgery you will return again to our office to check on the progress of your healing and have your sutures removed. Under normal circumstances, you will have your two to three more post-operative checkups in the next several months to confirm that all is well and to evaluate the early results of your transformation. Dr. Filiberto will see you more frequently during the healing period should you or he deem it necessary. Surgical wounds mature during the twelve months following the procedure, so expect your new look to refine itself over time.

Dr. Filiberto offers a variety of payment options. Call and make your complimentary consultation today 321-676-3101.

Keloid Scars

Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury or surgery. If you have ever seen a keloid, you will understand why some people find it necessary to have plastic surgery for keloid scars. Most surgeries result in a flat scar that may not look beautiful, but once the scar heals, it doesn’t cause any further problems or complications.

Some people develop hypertrophic scars, which are scars which thicken but remain in the borders of the original surgical scar. These usually resolve themselves within a year of surgery. But a keloid is different from a normal scar and a hypertrophic scar. Keloids are really lumps or masses which grow very large and actually spread beyond the boundaries of the original scar. Exposure to the sun during the first year of the keloid’s formation will cause the keloid to tan darker than the surrounding skin.

It is not unusual for keloids to reappear (sometimes larger than before) after they have been removed. Once you have had a keloid, you are apt to develop more. That means you should avoid further body piercing and any surgeries which are not life-threatening emergencies.

Scars from surgeries can produce keloids, as can body piercing, burns, or even little pimples, such as the type caused by acne. Keloids can get quite red in color and they can become both very itchy and/or painful. In fact, you can have an extremely large, ugly-looking and irritating mass that needs some form of treatment.

No one knows why some people develop keloids and others do not. Doctors do not understand exactly why keloids form in certain people or situations and not in others. Changes in the cellular signals that control growth and proliferation may be related to the process of keloid formation. All researchers know is that something triggers uncontrolled cell growth at the site but these changes have not yet been characterized scientifically. The good news is that keloids are never cancerous. Anyone can develop a keloid and people who have dark skin are more susceptible to the growths. There might even be a genetic connection as keloids often run in families.

While keloids occur in both men and women, until recent years, women were more apt to have keloids than men. That is most likely because body piercing is one of the biggest risk factors for keloids. Although most do not develop on the face itself, the growths are common on earlobes, the back, chest and shoulders.

It is important to prevent keloids whenever possible because keloid treatments do not always work. Plastic surgery for keloid scars is only one of the possible treatments. It is also not the most perfect treatment because you can run the risk of developing another keloid which is even larger than the first. Plastic surgery for keloid scars is rarely done by itself, most often being combined with radiation or steroid treatments.

Steroid injections are quite a safe treatment as well but the injection site usually leaves some type of mark. Cortisone is usually the steroid of choice in these cases. Very little enters the bloodstream, however, it can make blood vessels appear redder, which also alters the look of the site.

Other popular treatments used instead of plastic surgery for keloid include cryotherapy–the use of liquid nitrogen and laser therapy. Both can make the site of the incision or puncture flatter. Some people wear a silicone sheet over the keloid for long periods of time (weeks to months), and claim some success at mass reduction.

Interferons, or proteins produced by the human immune system to fight off such threats as viruses and bacteria, can help keloids to get smaller and smaller. Scientists have not discovered why they work or if the treatment will be permanent. If you have keloids, the best thing to do is to see your doctor for treatment. He or she will know the best route to take in your particular case. Because so many methods are available, you should be able to find one that works for you.

Exceptional Care

You wouldn't be reading this if you weren't serious about finding out more about how we can help you look or feel your best with cosmetic surgery and medispa treatments. Dr. Filiberto and our staff are well aware that you have many choices. We believe that the exceptional care that we have provided for over 30 years to help over 35,000 people is second to none. In addition, we care about you! Simply stated, your needs and comfort always come first. Our goal is for you to be 100% comfortable with your decision to choose us. We take great pride in listening closely to your needs and strive to exceed your expectations at every step in the cosmetic surgery process. Whether you choose to rejuvenate or enhance your facial appearance, have a breast augmentation, breast lift or have a tummy tuck, liposuction or a body contouring procedure, we are here to educate you about everything you should expect in advance, so that you will have realistic expectations, less anxiety, and better appreciate your results. Every step of the way our staff and Dr. Filiberto are just a phone call away! For those who choose medispa options, our trained experienced Master Esthetician is available to talk with you about any service you may desire. We will be pleased to give you names and phone numbers at your consultation appointment. Speak with them about their high level of satisfaction with their results and with our service and care. From offering office-based surgery to convenient financing options we help make whatever you choose to do affordable to you. However, in the end, the most important thing to us is your results. Choosing Dr. Filiberto as your extremely experienced surgeon can actually save you money in the long run by dramatically lowering the rate of complications! Dr. Filiberto believes that it is never enough to achieve a great result, but that you must be as comfortable as possible so that you won’t hesitate to refer your friends to see us! That is how we have grown- providing individualized care- one happy patient at a time. We always welcome your kind referrals of friends and family. We want to be the surgery center and medispa you choose. From out office’s comfortable ambiance, to warm and friendly staff, and the many services and treatments which we offer, we will help you to reach your goal to look and feel your best.

Spider Vein Treatment

Spiders are usually something you don’t want around, whether it’s spiders spinning webs in your basement or spider veins on your body. We have many great treatments to exterminate spider veins.