Vaginal surgery before and after photographs

Before and after photographs relating to vaginal surgery - including labiaplasty, clitoral hood reduction and vaginoplasty - are handled differently to those for other procedures, for reasons of patient privacy and because of specific restrictions on how such images may be displayed.

These photographs are not published on this website. They are shown and discussed privately during consultation, where your surgeon can select cases relevant to your anatomy and explain what is comparable to your situation and what is not.

The standards that apply

Before and after images used by registered health practitioners in Australia are governed by the Medical Board of Australia's Guidelines for advertising regulated health services.

Images must be genuine - real patients, real results.
Any image used has been retouched only to protect patient privacy, never to enhance or alter the results of the surgery.
Images must carry a clear and prominent disclaimer that results may vary between individuals.
Patients must give specific, informed consent to the use of their images. Consent to be photographed for the medical record is not the same as consent for images to be shown to anyone else.

Results may vary between individuals. A photograph records one person's outcome, not a prediction of yours.

What photographs can and cannot tell you here

In this area of the body, photographs are less informative than people expect - and can be actively misleading.

Normal variation is very wide. Labia differ substantially in size, shape, colour and symmetry between individuals, and asymmetry is normal. A small selection of photographs does not represent the range of normal.
Images encountered elsewhere are often altered. Images in media and online are frequently retouched, and are not a reasonable reference point for what is normal or what to aim for.
Symptoms are not visible. Where the reason for considering surgery is chafing, discomfort during exercise or pain during intercourse, a photograph shows nothing about whether the same intervention would relieve your symptoms.
Healing takes time. Swelling in this area is pronounced early and settles over weeks to months. An early photograph does not show the settled result.

Why your result will differ

Outcomes vary depending on individual anatomy, tissue quality, the technique used, how much tissue is removed, and individual healing. Which procedure is appropriate - and whether any procedure is appropriate - is determined at consultation after examination.

A surgeon should be willing to tell you that no intervention is needed. Where symptoms are mild or absent, that is a legitimate answer, and conservative measures are worth exhausting first. See our page on alternatives to labiaplasty.

Seeing photographs relevant to you

Asking to see photographs of previous patients with similar anatomy is a reasonable question at consultation, and one worth asking. Your surgeon can explain which cases are comparable to yours and what is realistic.

Labiaplasty surgery costs range from $9,000 to $13,000. As at September 2024 and including GST, a consultation with a Specialist Plastic Surgeon is $350. Since 1 July 2023, all patients are required to have a GP referral before seeing a plastic surgeon or doctor about cosmetic surgery. For any cosmetic surgery there is a compulsory one-week cooling-off period after your second consultation before surgery can be booked.

Surgery of this kind on minors is subject to specific legal and ethical restrictions in Australia.

Risks

All surgical procedures carry risks and potential complications, including infection, bleeding and haematoma, swelling, pain, scarring, delayed healing, wound separation, asymmetry, changes in sensation, over-resection or under-resection of tissue, discomfort during intercourse, and the possible need for revision surgery. Over-resection is difficult to correct.

Please read our information on the risks and complications of cosmetic surgery before proceeding.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

See what is a labiaplasty, alternatives to labiaplasty, labiaplasty costs, or all body procedures.