[Mel.92]

Hey Everyone

****Ok just finished writing this and realized how much of an essay this is most of it's not really necessary, just me whinging about it all mostly. If you don't want to read that, the important bit's in italics at the bottom .

Just joined, will probably post more about myself in the introduce yourself thread later. But I'd really like to get this cleared up first. My names's Mel and I'm 20. Never joined one of these kinds of forum's before but from just a quick look round I can see how great and appreciated all your advice and support is to women on this forum. Your doing me and everyone else a great favor by being here. So cheers

Anyway I'm looking into having both the procedures in the title done. Labia reduction's I know are medically considered a 'cosmetic' surgery, and unless you go private, you have to give a valid reason why you should have it. Such as chaffing on your underwear and the self esteem problems it can cause. I have been aware of my labia for about six years as they developed during puberty, they are completely different sizes, protrude and are dark in colour. They sometimes cause discomfort when the rub on the lingerie I like wearing, but it's what they're starting to do my confidence that I don't like, and am tired of living with.

I don't have any stupid idealistic illusions about what a 'perfect' women should look like. And in my opinion, compared to the rest of us, the female 'downstairs' isn't arguably ever going to the most **********ling sight to behold even if it's 'perfect'. I love the rest of my body and am confident and comfortable in my tight clothes and skimpy outfits and heels that the typical girl wears on a friday night out. But if I'm out and whenever a nice, sexy guy pays me any attention, and asks if we can go out again, I think up and excuse, and say no. I've learned that's it's easier, since I have been 'sexually' active before. I've done the flirting, the kissing, the dates, the sleepovers. I've given handjob's, blowjob's, but whenever they try and pleasure me, or take things further, I have to stop. And it's not just because of my labia, it's my hymen too.

I found out I had problems there aswell when my periods started just before I turned 15. I didn't like the idea of using sanitary towels because of the mess, so I tried tampons first. They were only small one's, my periods go on for a few days but are fortunately very light, I had quite a lot of discomfort but they went in. I thought that was normal since I'd have to stretch a bit, but after two months of using them and still being in constant pain from the stringing every time I moved. I gave up and went to using towels. I first attempted sex when I was 17, it was with someone I trusted and had known for a while. I was ready, not scared at all and he was trying to be as gentle as he could, but even after a few attempts we had to stop because the pain was so bad. I know losing your virginity isn't supposed to be pain free, but he just couldn't seem to break through. I've found out there's such a thing as 'tough' or 'tight' hymens, and some women find surgery to break or remove it is the only way they can have pain free sex.

I am a happy person, with a good life, I have my career ahead of me, a good job and a great family and social life. But seeing all my friends with their boyfriends, and some of them their babies is starting to get me thinking. I'm lying to my friend who all assume I've slept with a few men. And I've lost out on a relationship with an amazing man I grew up and I really really care about, I might even love him. He asked me out about a year ago and a I lied had to give him some **************** excuse about not wanting to risk our friendship. And now he's with one of my friends from college. It's not something that's crushing me, they're both great people who deserve to be happy and I'm over it. But I know for a fact that if I didn't have these issues with my body, I'd have said yes to him in a heartbeat.

I don't bend to peer pressure when it comes to anything, my friends know I'm renowned for not being a sheep. I stand up for myself and go after want. It's not an ego thing, or a sex thing, or so I can please someone else. It's something I want to do for me. I don't need a man or a relationship to be happy. It's just feel that I'm ready for one, have been for a long time. I'm sick of letting this hold me back. And would like the comfort of knowing that when I get the chance again, I can have one.

So I'm definitely resigned that I'd like to get a labiaplasty and hymenectomy done on the NHS since I live in the UK. I know the procedures I have to go through. I'll have to see my GP and get a referral to a gynecologist from them.

I'm posting this here to ask and see if anybody else has had either one of these operations done? If so how long did the process take as a whole? From your appointment with the gynecologist to your actual surgery day? What about healing? How long did you take off work and how long til you felt you were completely healed?

I would also appreciate any other advice anybody has, thanks so much to anybody who takes the time to reply. I really appreciate it X

[jns]

Your hymen seems to be more of the problem as it is interfering with you having sex.

I have more of a mixed opinion on your labia. Just to be sure, you are only talking about your labia minora not your labia majora? To me, dark color is fine, actually it's what I like best. Protruding is fine as is not protruding. I think the thing that you dislike the most is the lack of symmetry with the different sizes. Surgery can even up the sizes and if protruding labia cause too many problems, reduce them.

Generally I think a woman's "downstairs" has interesting and even beautiful composition (art definition).

[cherly]

Hi Mel. I haven't had any of these procedures done but am very familiar with them as I work for a doc that specializes in these procedures in the US. You are right that labiaplasty is considered cosmetic (at least here in the US) and once in a while you can get your insurance to cover it but it's a real battle. Not sure how things work in the UK. It's been our experience here that once someone goes ahead and has the labiaplasty done, it does worlds for their self esteem and they are very vocal about it in thank you's that they send in to the office. We all know there is nothing wrong with uneven or long labia but unless you have it yourself, it's difficult to understand how much of a confidence buster it can be in the intimacy department. My advice would be to find an experienced and trained surgeon to do your labiaplasty so you get the results you want and not have something botched up. Their is a skill and art to it so the labia heal in a natural looking way. The procedure only takes about an hour to do and follow your post op instructions carefully and you will be good to go. The hymen procedure should be covered by your insurance. My doctor has had to do that procedure before for the very reasons you speak about. I would think that most gynecologist would be able to do that procedure. Hope this helps a little and good luck.

[Mel.92]

Your hymen seems to be more of the problem as it is interfering with you having sex.

I have more of a mixed opinion on your labia. Just to be sure, you are only talking about your labia minora not your labia majora? To me, dark color is fine, actually it's what I like best. Protruding is fine as is not protruding. I think the thing that you dislike the most is the lack of symmetry with the different sizes. Surgery can even up the sizes and if protruding labia cause too many problems, reduce them.

Generally I think a woman's "downstairs" has interesting and even beautiful composition (art definition).

jns

Well your right about my hymen being the primary issue here.

Yes I am talking about my inner labia. Maybe I should have clarified, mentioning that they were dark was meant to explain that the colour had developed over time as I grew, not as something derogatory, I don't really care either way about that. As yeah, the extreme difference in size is what I have an issue with, as with the protruding as they go past labia majora. I respect that some men have specific likes/dislikes and some none at all, but I've got my own preference on what I'd like my body to look like. Hoping for perfect symmetry even with surgery is asking a bit too much I think, biology just doesn't work like that, a reduction is all that I'm looking to get.

I used the word 'downstairs' for lack of other options, it's not really a term used that much in the UK, but I didn't want to use anything too clinical or too brash. The brackets weren't needed, I know what composition means : ) . Thank you for you reply and words of support, it's appreciated.

[Mel.92]

Hi Mel. I haven't had any of these procedures done but am very familiar with them as I work for a doc that specializes in these procedures in the US. You are right that labiaplasty is considered cosmetic (at least here in the US) and once in a while you can get your insurance to cover it but it's a real battle. Not sure how things work in the UK. It's been our experience here that once someone goes ahead and has the labiaplasty done, it does worlds for their self esteem and they are very vocal about it in thank you's that they send in to the office. We all know there is nothing wrong with uneven or long labia but unless you have it yourself, it's difficult to understand how much of a confidence buster it can be in the intimacy department. My advice would be to find an experienced and trained surgeon to do your labiaplasty so you get the results you want and not have something botched up. Their is a skill and art to it so the labia heal in a natural looking way. The procedure only takes about an hour to do and follow your post op instructions carefully and you will be good to go. The hymen procedure should be covered by your insurance. My doctor has had to do that procedure before for the very reasons you speak about. I would think that most gynecologist would be able to do that procedure. Hope this helps a little and good luck.

Hi Cherly

Thank you for your response. The NHS or National Health Service is a government run scheme in which all hospitals in Scotland, England, Whales and Northern Ireland treat, care for and provide medicines and aftercare to patients free of charge by experienced and qualified doctors. It is funded by public taxes and donations. After I'm referred to a gynecologist, I'll still probably have to go on a waiting list to get the operations done, it could take anything from a couple of weeks to about a month before a surgeon is available, but it's a small price to pay for having it done free and by a professional.

It's good to know what the procedure is short, thanks for that information it was very helpful. Would you be able to give me any idea about how long women need to recuperate or rest after surgery? I'm on my feet and walking a lot with my job so would need to take some time off. And also, is it possible for a labiaplasty and a hymen removal to be done together as two separate procedures but as one op? I don't see any reason why not myself, but there are limits on how long a person should be under anesthetic and so on, so I don't know if I'd need to have two separate operations and be put under twice to get them both done, which I'm hoping I won't need to.

These are all things I can ask the gynecologist, and will find out for myself anyway. But if you can shed any light on those two questions that would be fantastic
Thank you for your well wishes.