Surge in women wanting ‘designer vaginas’ with labiaplasty

February 28, 2017

The rate of labiaplasty operations has surged 700 per cent in the last three years
Feminists have long claimed it’s the direct result of online pornography
But one Harley Street surgeon rubbishes this theory in a bold reality-check
Says women should be allowed to make their own decisions about their bodies

James Draper For Mailonline

Published:
07:27 EST, 25 February 2017

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Updated:
08:12 EST, 25 February 2017

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Scores of young women are electing themselves for cosmetic surgery down below – despite having no real medical requirement for it, according to experts.

Dr Navid Jallali, who has a clinic on London’s Harley Street, says he’s turned down more than fifty young women in the past year who wanted the invasive labiaplasty procedure.

And, contrary to what feminists may assert, it has virtually nothing to do with the prevalence of pornography, one doctor claims.

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In fashion: So-called ‘designer vaginas’ are one of the industry’s most popular surgical choices

Instead, Dr Jallali insists the operation’s popularity is being fuelled by openness.

‘Women are now talking more openly about the appearance of their genitalia, breaking down the taboo and becoming more aware they have options,’ he said.

‘I would suggest this was more likely to be behind the boom, rather than the amount of pornographic images available online. These are genuine reasons and women over the age of 18 should be allowed to make their own decisions about their bodies.’

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However, Dr Jallali – who served as an advisor on BBC’s Holby City – maintained the procedure must only be carried out on women over the age of 18 for functional or psychological problems.

He says: ‘As surgeons we have a duty to inform people that bodies come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s really no such thing as normal.

‘This is of even greater importance when dealing with young women whose bodies are likely to still be developing.’

According to figures from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery almost 100,000 women across the world underwent labiaplasty surgery in 2015.

Popular: ‘Women over the age of 18 should be allowed to make their own decisions about their bodies,’ Dr Navid Jallali proclaims

Join the club: According to figures from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery almost 100,000 women across the world underwent labiaplasty surgery in 2015

In the UK alone labiaplasty popularity has soared with most recent figures from the NHS indicating 2,000 women in the UK underwent a labiaplasty in 2010.

The figures represent a fivefold increase in 10 years.

Dr Jallali says only about half of the women who present to him for labiaplasty are suitable for the operation, compared to only around five to 10 per cent who are unsuitable for other surgeries.

WHAT IS A LABIAPLASTY?

A labiaplasty is a surgical procedure to reduce the size of the labia minora – the flaps of skin either side of the vaginal opening.

It involves shortening or reshaping the vaginal lips, a bit like shortening a hem on a dress.

It is usually performed by a gynaecologist or plastic surgeon.

The unwanted tissue is cut away with a scalpel or possibly a laser, and the loose edge may be stitched up with fine, dissolvable stitches.

It can be carried out using either a general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic with sedation, and the whole procedure takes about one to two hours.

However there is a lack of research investigating how effective this procedure is.

This means there’s no guarantee it will achieve a long-lasting desired effect, and there are short- and long-term risks to consider.

Source: NHS Choices

But for those where a need is established, Dr Jalalli says people who dismiss the surgery as ‘vain’ are discouraging women who will actually benefit.

He continued: ‘Reasons for the surgery can vary from difficulties during sexual intercourse to not being able to exercise because their labia is so large.

‘Some patients are unable to wear tight clothing, and some don’t have intimate relationships at all because they are embarrassed of the appearance.’

Mr Jallali says he carried out 10 labiasplasty procedures in 2013 and 70 in 2016.

The ages of the women varied from 18 to 35.

Surgery can cost between £2,500 and £4,000 and involves using either a scalpel or laser to cut away unwanted tissue.

Mr Jallali says: ‘The most important thing is to consider the surgery in detail, do thorough research and think about the risks. No surgery should be undertaken on a whim.

‘It’s important to remember that bodies come in all shapes and sizes and all reputable surgeons will explore the patient’s motivations and expectations before agreeing to carry out any work.’