Labiaplasty hits the small screen
A woman has appeared on a US reality TV programme to share her experiences of labiaplasty with the world.
CBS Network's 'The Doctors' featured trainee nurse Shannon, 23, on one of its segments yesterday, who discussed her desire to have the cosmetic surgery procedure done.
Labiaplasty – the reduction of the size of the labia at the vaginal entrance – has become one of the top cosmetic surgeries requested by women all over the world.
Recent research from the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology highlighted its popularity, confirming that even women who are deemed to have 'average-sized labia minora' are seeking the procedure.
Shannon told the TV programme that she was desperate to have the procedure done in order to correct her 'painfully long labia.' She told viewers how her 'deformity' caused her day-to-day discomfort, as well as embarrassment when she wanted to go swimming.
She also said that she felt it had negatively impacted her sex life, and had even contributed towards a recent relationship break-up.
“I’m self conscious. I don’t really want to have sex – I try to avoid it, so it’s kind of a big strain on a relationship,” she said.
The cosmetic surgeon working on Shannon's procedure, Dr Grant Stevens from Marina del Rey, California-based Marina Plastic Surgery, removed the excess skin from her labia. He told the programme that there were many different reasons why women wanted the procedure done.
ABC reported that he told the programme, “If I hear the word pain or chafing or tenderness, it’s an entirely different consult than if I get the 'I’m embarrassed, I think it looks funny.' But 'I’m embarrassed' doesn’t automatically disqualify somebody.”
Shannon was extremely happy following her labiaplasty, telling the programme, “I’m so excited…they look amazing… I couldn’t be more happy.”
