Vaginal Rejuvenation (Colpoperineoplasty) - Seattle - Radiant Rejuvenation
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At Radiant Rejuvenation in the Seattle area, Dr. Michael Lau brings his talents together as a gynecologic surgeon and a cosmetic surgeon to offer vaginal rejuvenation (also known as colpoperineoplasty), a procedure to rebuild the vaginal structures that support and contract the vagina. For more information about the popular term of "mommy makeover," please follow the link.
Dr. Michael Lau, Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, is a cosmetic vaginal surgeon highly trained in both urogynecology and cosmetic surgery [ Biography & Credentials ]. He has been performing vaginal rejuvenation and other vaginal plastic surgery for over 25 years and has been serving patients from all over the world. He lectures internationally, especially in the area of optimizing function in intimacy with vaginal plastic surgery. Dr. Lau has transformed vaginal rejuvenation into a minimally invasive procedure done under local anesthesia (local numbing medicine), promoting faster recovery. Local anesthesia avoids the risks of general anesthesia (going to sleep) and is more cost effective. Most patients can return to work and normal activities within 1 to 2 weeks. Please see Expectations and Limitations below.
Please view Dr. Michael Lau's presentation regarding Vaginal Rejuvenation surgery:
Vaginal Laxity and Loose Vaginal Opening
Concerns:
Many women are self-conscious that their vaginal opening may appear or feel too loose or that their vagina may have lost its tightness. These concerns usually surface after child birth and with aging. While their genital anatomy on examination may often be within normal limits, their inadequate feelings and concerns are very real and should be addressed, including fears regarding change in intimacy. These feelings and concerns often result in loss of self-confidence in, or even avoidance of intimacy. Vaginal rejuvenation is designed to correct the looseness of the vagina and the vaginal opening, both aesthetically and functionally.
Dr. Lau has expertise and research interest in the area of optimizing function in intimacy with vaginal cosmetic surgery, and has spoken on this topic to his peers in international aesthetic surgery meetings.
At times, women may confuse loose vagina due to sagging labia (external vaginal lips) with the actual looseness of the vagina and vaginal opening. Please go the page on loose vagina to resolve this confusion. However, often times the toll of vaginal birth does indeed result in both loose vagina and also saggy vaginal lips (labia majora and minora). In this case, labioplasty can be performed in conjunction with vaginal rejuvenation, still using only local anesthesia.
Example of Vaginal Rejuvenation with Labiaplasty Minora
Examples of Vaginal Rejuvenation
Solutions:
Vaginal rejuvenation (colpoperineoplasty): Through reconstructive surgery, the size, contour, and function of the vagina and vulva can be restored to a state similar to that of before vaginal births. Even though one may argue the validity or need for such vaginal rejuvenation, many women are very self-conscious of their genitalia being deformed or abnormal, to the point of interference with intimacy. For this purpose, vaginal rejuvenation offers an effective solution.
The technique of vaginal rejuvenation (colpoperineoplasty) usually involves opening the posterior wall of the vaginal mucosa and then plicating the underlying fascia and muscles to tighten the vaginal canal to the pre-childbirth condition. The vaginal opening can then be tightened by proper dissection and suturing of the tissue and muscle damaged by vaginal birth. All the sutures used are dissolvable and need not be removed. The procedure of colpoperineoplasty, commonly known by its lay term "vaginal rejuvenation," can be performed using minimal incisions, internal to the vagina, under local anesthesia in an office surgical suite. This eliminates the risks associated with general anesthesia and makes the procedure more cost effective. Using the less invasive techniques in vaginal rejuvenation, the recovery from the procedure can be relatively brief.
Vaginal rejuvenation enhancing function in intimacy: Vaginal rejuvenation (colpoperineoplasty), a procedure that surgically tightens the vaginal canal and the vaginal opening, can enhance the sensation of vaginal tightness and gratification with intimacy. A recent peer review journal paper reported that 94% of women who had vaginal rejuvenation (colpoperineoplasty) experienced a tighter vagina and enhanced satisfaction (J. Pardo et al, Acta Obstet et Gyn Scand, 2006).
Dr. Lau has a special interest in the optimization of function in intimacy with vaginal plastic surgery, in particular vaginal rejuvenation, and has lectured internationally on this topic. Research supports his thesis that the posterior (back) compartment of the vaginal canal should be the main area for tightening of the vaginal canal in vaginal rejuvenation. The anterior (front) wall of the vaginal canal, especially toward the vaginal opening, has the densest amount of nerve endings and erectile tissue that are important to optimal function in intimacy, and, therefore, should not be disrupted during vaginal rejuvenation. By using proper surgical technique and leveraging the understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the vagina, vaginal rejuvenation should be a procedure that will improve both the aesthetic and function of the vagina.
Vaginal rejuvenation can improve the appearance of the labia: Part of the labia majora (the outer vaginal lips), especially if they are redundant, can be trimmed down and tightened also, and thus reduce the laxity of the labia - an added bonus of vaginal rejuvenation. Vaginal rejuvenation (colpoperineoplasty) can often be supplemented by labiaplasty (labioplasty), especially the labia minora (inner lips of the vagina), to create a more youthful appearance of the genitalia similar to that of pre-childbirth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vaginal Rejuvenation
Q: Does pregnancy cause vaginal looseness leading to the need for vaginal rejuvenation?
A: Pregnancy does not cause vaginal looseness, but vaginal birth causes vaginal looseness.
Q: How does vaginal birth cause vaginal looseness?
A: During the vaginal birth, the passage of the baby through the vagina causes the vaginal supporting tissues and muscles to over stretch and often tear. The stretching of the tissues and muscles around the vaginal canal causes the vagina to become loose. The vaginal opening can appear to be gaping due to the tearing of the tissues and muscles at the vaginal opening. Both the looseness of the vagina and the gaping of the vaginal opening are frequently the reasons for requesting vaginal rejuvenation.
Q: How many vaginal births would it take to cause enough problems for one to need vaginal rejuvenation?
A: It all depends on the amount of damage done during the vaginal birth and not necessarily the numbers of births. If there are severe tears of the vaginal structures even with one birth, the woman might have the problem of looseness and gaping of the vagina that would benefit from vaginal rejuvenation. Genetics plays an important role, also. Some women are more prone to vaginal looseness.
Q: Can I do pelvic floor exercises (Kegal exercise, bio-feedback, or vagina appliances) to tighten my vagina instead of vaginal rejuvenation?
A: Pelvic floor exercise certainly can help tighten the vaginal muscles, and one should do that. However, if the tearing and stretching of the vaginal tissues and muscles are significant, the exercises are often not enough to bring the vagina to the pre-birthing state. Exercises cannot correct the gaping of the vaginal opening. In these cases, vaginal rejuvenation would be most effective in restoring the vagina and its opening back to the pre-birthing tightness and look.
Q: Sometimes I notice passing gas or gas noises from my vagina during certain activities – very embarrassing. Would vaginal rejuvenation help?
A: A certain configuration between the looseness of the vagina and the vaginal opening can cause the sensation of passing gas or the embarrassing gas noises. Vaginal rejuvenation restores the vaginal structures back to a tightened state, and often can correct the problems.
Q: Can I have a loose vagina and gaping opening without ever having children?
A: Although this is not common, it can happen that a woman was born with such an issue or is prone to developing loose vaginal tissue. If she is self-conscious of a looseness problem, then she should at least get a consultation to get a professional opinion.
Q: Can vaginal rejuvenation correct urine leakage problems?
A: Urinary leakage can be due to the loss of bladder neck support (stress urinary incontinence) or overactive bladder. Vaginal rejuvenation is not intended to correct either problem. Usually, medications are used to treat urine loss due to overactive bladder. Pelvic floor exercise, biofeedback, and surgery are options to correct stress urinary incontinence.
Q: Can vaginal rejuvenation improve function in intimacy?
A: Function in intimacy is complex, with multiple contributing factors and colored with subjective perception. What vaginal rejuvenation can improve are the following:
- The aesthetic of the external vaginal appearance
- The tightness of the vaginal opening and the vaginal canal, leading to increased tightness felt by the male, and increased stimulation to the pressure nerve receptors in the vagina for the woman
The combination of these improvements should improve the function in intimacy for both the man and the woman, assuming there are no other negative contributing factors negating the improvements.
Q: Can vaginal rejuvenation damage the vaginal sensation and function?
A: It is very important to preserve the nerve and vascular supply to the vagina while performing vaginal rejuvenation. The nerve supply of course is critical for sensation. The highest concentration of the nerve supply is located around the clitoral structures, anterior vaginal wall and the inner aspect of the labia minora. One must avoid disruption to the nerve supply to those areas during any vaginal rejuvenation. The specialized vascular tissue in the clitoral structures, labia minora, and vaginal mucosa becomes congested and even erect during excitation, and the vascular effect enhances sensory stimulation. Therefore, one needs to minimize any disruption to the specialized vascular tissue during vaginal rejuvenation also. With a thorough understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the vagina, and having the surgical expertise and skill, Dr. Lau makes it a priority to preserve and enhance function in intimacy with vaginal rejuvenation.
Q: When can I resume intercourse after vaginal rejuvenation?
A: One can resume intercourse six weeks after vaginal rejuvenation. This will give time for the vaginal tissues to heal properly.
Q: When can I resume exercise after vaginal rejuvenation?
A: One can start walking, doing treadmill, elliptical machines etc. within one week after vaginal rejuvenation. There are two things to avoid doing for six weeks, besides intercourse, in order for the vagina to heal properly:
- No lifting of more than 20 pounds
- No jumping or jarring
Using these guidelines, a patient can tailor her exercise programs to resume appropriate activities within a week after vaginal rejuvenation.
Q: Would my vagina stretch out over time after vaginal rejuvenation?
A: That does not usually occur with normal intimate activities. However, if one has a vaginal birth after vaginal rejuvenation, the vaginal tissues could be damaged again. Of course, another vaginal rejuvenation can correct the vaginal looseness again. Dr. Lau always makes a point to make sure that his patients understand this, especially if the patient is not sure about future family plans.
Q: I am in a transition phase with my marriage or relationship and not with anyone intimately right now. How tight should I make my vagina with the vaginal rejuvenation, not knowing what my future partner might be like?
A: This is a very common question, and Dr. Lau will discuss with the patient about her expectations and experience and usually recommend a correction with the vaginal rejuvenation that would accommodate the normal range of male sizes. That has worked well for nearly all patients over the years.
Q: Should I have my loose vaginal lips fixed – a labioplasty – at the same time as the vaginal rejuvenation?
A: Often labioplasty is performed with vaginal rejuvenation in the same setting. Dr. Lau can perform both procedures under local anesthesia – just local numbing medicine without the need of going to sleep under general anesthesia. Many women notice that their labia are large, hanging down, or not even with age and childbirth. Having labioplasty and vaginal rejuvenation done at the same setting saves cost and recovery time as compared to doing each procedure separately. With the vaginal rejuvenation, the lowest portion of the labia majora – the outer lips of the vagina – are usually repaired as part of the process. This actually could tighten and reduce the sagginess of the labia majora. In most cases, only labioplasty of the labia minora is needed in conjunction with the vaginal rejuvenation.
Comparison with Energy Devices such as Thermi VA, MonaLisa Touch, & FemiLift
Click here to read Dr. Michael Lau's comparison with energy devices.
Photo Gallery
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Expectations and Limitations of Vaginal Rejuvenation
Pain: There is no pain after the application of local anesthesia (numbing medicine) during the procedure. Post procedure pain is usually well controlled with pain medication for a few days, and also with the use of ice packs locally.
Limitations: No vaginal intercourse for 6 weeks. The patient can start walking, using the treadmill, and doing other low-impact aerobic exercise right away, but wait for 2-3 weeks to jog. However, the patient needs to avoid high impact activities, jarring and heavy lifting (not more than 20 pounds) for 6 weeks. Obviously, she should avoid bike or horseback riding and other activities that would directly impact the vagina for 4 to 6 weeks. Occasionally, a patient might experience difficulty in urination during the first 24 hours after the surgery. Ice packs applied locally will help, but at times, catheterization for one to two days might be necessary before resuming normal urination.
Function in intimacy: Unless the patient should have future vaginal birth trauma, the results of the vaginal rejuvenation should remain. There are abundant sensory nerve fibers and erectile tissue at the anterior wall of the vagina and labia minora contributing to excitation, which could be affected by surgical intervention. Dr. Lau exercises great care to minimize the disruption of those tissues during surgery in order to preserve and optimize function in intimacy. Actually, this is an area of Dr. Lau's expertise and research interest, and he has given presentations to his peers on the topic.
Work: If the job involves heavy activities, please plan to take 4 weeks off. Otherwise, one to two weeks off should work for most non-physical jobs. The patient can drive once she is off the narcotic pain medication.
Travel: Most of our out-of-town patients fly out the day after the procedure. International and long distance patients are recommended to stay for 1-2 extra days due to the long flights. Someone else needs to handle the heavy luggage for the patient traveling.