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By Dr. Courtenay Poucher, MD, FACOG, certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the National Society of Cosmetic Physicians

Before I answer, I want to say that I’m proud of you for centering yourself and your intimate health. Mothers – and all women! – deserve to feel comfortable and confident, but it’s often especially difficult to prioritize your own care when there are little ones in the home. I’m so glad to see that you’re taking care of yourself.

Now, let’s get to the points you mention here.

First: Why does your vaginal opening look “meaty” and your urethra now show?

Frequently, during pregnancy and postpartum, the vaginal tissues relax and prolapse – come down and out. This can contribute to the “meaty” appearance that was previously hidden. This includes the urethra, though it’s important to note that urethral position can vary regardless of pregnancy status.

Second: What can you do to fix this? Based on the description you provided, I would recommend perineoplasty to address the tissue around your vaginal opening. This in-office procedure can be completed with local anesthesia. You’re awake and relaxed during your pain-free surgery. In fact, many of our patients watch their favorite show during their procedure. After the minimally-invasive out-patient surgery with local anesthesia, you won’t be able to see inside your vaginal canal.

Lastly, you asked what you could expect from recovery – because you have kids to take care of. As a mother to seven children (No, that’s not a typo!), I absolutely understand that it’s nearly impossible for Mom to take much time off.

I can’t speak for other practices, but at Labiaplasty of Los Angeles, patient recovery is usually quite short. Before you leave our office, you’ll likely take an OTC pain reliever, like ibuprofen. Usually, that’s all our patients need for the first few days post op – though we can offer a narcotic if necessary. Most patients are back to work and “life” by Day 3 or Day 4, performing most of their normal tasks – with a few exceptions.

Because the stitches placed are dissolvable, we ask that patients avoid baths, swimming pools and the ocean for eight weeks. And, of course, nothing should go into the vagina during those six weeks, either – no tampons, no intercourse, no toys. Patients also need to refrain from lifting things that weigh over 30 pounds for four weeks.

Patients can resume running and jogging at Week 2, but should avoid horseback riding, motorcycles, bikes and “high stretch” activities like Pilates and yoga for the full six-week to eight-week recovery. Patients also need to avoid spreading their legs beyond about hip width.

We send each patient home with special ice packs made for the intimate anatomy and a luxury collection of vaginal-surgery recovery products so that they feel nurtured and comfortable throughout the recovery process.

One additional note on recovery for our patients who travel to see us, since you don’t mention where you live. This month, we’ve had labiaplasty surgical patients from New York, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; Austin, Texas; Sacramento, California; San Francisco, California and more. Nearly all of them flew into LAX Airport or Burbank Airport to visit our office. Ideally, I’d like you to recover at least one day in a local hotel before hopping back on that plane. While it’s safe to fly after surgery, a day of travel could be uncomfortable immediately post-op. I prefer that patients wait at least 24 hours after surgery to get on a plane; 48 hours if it’s going to be a long flight.

I hope I have answered all of your questions in a way that helps you make an informed decision about your intimate health.

Do you have a question about non-surgical vaginal rejuvenation, labiaplasty or other intimate surgeries you’d like answered by Dr. Courtenay Poucher? Use our Contact form to connect with us. We will answer as many questions via our Blog as time allows.