A vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure that tightens the muscles and tissues of the vagina and perineum. The results are more toned, cohesive, and easier-to-control muscles. This will greatly enhance the vagina’s sensitivity, especially notable during sexual intercourse.
Vaginal muscles become looser as we age, decreasing in elasticity, which affects the ability to feel pleasure during sex. Childbirth can also cause them to stretch and never quite recover their tightness afterwards.
The procedure sets out to correct this. But due to the sensitive nature of the area, patients looking to undergo the procedure must know how to prepare for vaginoplasty to ensure it proceeds smoothly.
Steps on How to Prepare for Vaginoplasty
The following are the considerations you should make when you are about to undergo vaginoplasty. Please follow through with them diligently.
Stop Smoking
The consumption of nicotine considerably slows down your body’s ability to heal, something you want to be able to do fast following the surgery.
For this reason, our surgeons require smokers to refrain from it for at least a month before the surgery. As a matter of fact, any surgical procedure requires smokers to refrain from it weeks prior, not only a vaginoplasty.
You will complete a urine cotinine test after your initial consultation to ensure your compliance. In order for you to pass it, you must be nicotine-free for at least four weeks’ time. In the case of you failing the tests, we will not move forward with the procedure.
All patients should quit smoking entirely after the surgery. However, we acknowledge that this is rather too demanding for some. So we advise that if you must return to smoking, wait at least four to six weeks after the surgery. Your surgeon will advise you precisely when.
Do Not Take These Substances
If you are a user of the following medications, you must stop taking them for optimal chances of success in your surgery.
- Birth control pill. The pill works by releasing oestrogen and progesterone at higher levels into the body. They also, however, increase the chances of developing blood clots because of the surgery, which could lead to a stroke. Stop taking it six weeks before the surgery. Also, refrain from unprotected sex during the ceasing period since a pregnancy also impedes the surgery. You can resume taking them two weeks after the procedure.
- Anticoagulants. In contrast, drugs that prevent the forming of blood clots can lead to excessive bleeding. Some of them are the following:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
- Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
- Vitamin E
- Multivitamins (because they contain vitamin E)
- Herbal preparations (fish oil, garlic, ginkgo, etc.)
It is simply better to let the body’s natural healing ability do the work. Stop taking any for these for two weeks before the surgery.
Refrain from Alcohol
Two days before the surgery, any ingestion of alcohol is not advised. Alcohol stimulates your liver’s metabolism, which can wear off the anaesthesia employed in the procedure. This would cause major discomforts.
Schedule Time Off Work
You’ll need one or two weeks to be well enough to head back to work. However, if you work a physically demanding job, you might need to take a month or two depending on its requirements. Schedule your break accordingly.
Schedule Time Off Sex with Your Partner
Your vagina cannot withstand intercourse activity from four to six weeks after the procedure. The result will be painful and can potentially undo the work and put you at risk of serious infections. Talk to your partner so they know beforehand what to expect.
Shave
Clear your genital area before the surgery to facilitate the work of the surgeon. If you don’t do this yourself, the staff at the appointment will do it for you. And they might not be as gentle as you.
Enlist Help
Since you will be weak after the surgery and thus require rest, enlist someone you trust to drive you to and from the appointment. You’ll also need someone to watch over you during the recovery period and help you with chores as you recuperate.