Labiaplasty is a procedure for an adult female who is able to make adult decisions about her own body.
Most people care about the way they look. This is especially true of teen-agers, and many of them look for plastic surgery to make themselves look better. Thus, plastic surgery is becoming more and more common among teens. This is OK-as long as by “teen” we’re referring to adult teens. For instance, sometimes adults will buy teenagers a cosmetic procedure as a graduation present, to help them change their appearance before they go to college. If the process is well-considered ahead of time, this can be a very positive thing.
Even the adult teens,however, should be thoroughly counseled before she goes through with any kind of plastic surgery, let alone something as intimate as labiaplasty. The patient should understand that everybody has insecurities.and if it is based on a physical part not being perfect, one should make sure that indeed this is correctable and wise, and not based on some notion that perfection is what some model advertises on TV. The media often makes you believe that everyone in the world but you is perfect. They also create the impression that doctors can change and make you achieve perfection whenever you do not like something about yourself. That sometimes could be misleading.
If you have an adult teen who wants plastic surgery, whether labiaplasty or something else, take time to discuss this with her. Let her know what the procedure might change, but also what it definitely will not change. Let her know the possible downside as well. And only then, if she is well informed, and you feel that the change will improve her confidence and thus the quality of her life, should she be given the green light to proceed. And in the event the teen is a younger teen, say 14 or 15, the answer is simple: Wait until you’re older.
If you’re ever in a situation where you don’t know exactly what to say to an 18 year old daughter who thinks she might want a labiaplasty, feel free to take her to a reputable plastic surgeon who does the procedure. The surgeon will be glad to discuss the procedure with both of you openly and honestly.
