Labial plastic surgery ( labioplasty ) isn’t even in the top 10 of cosmetic procedures recorded by BAAPS ( British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons ) in 2010. Breast surgery, followed by work on eyelids, face and nose is by far the commonest ( 90% of all procedures are carried out on women ).
As this is the only accurate data, it’s impossible to verify the claim that labioplasty is increasing fast, although we do know procedures on the NHS have increased to well over 1000 / year.
I also don’t fully trust documentaries or what is reported in the media.
Labioplasty should not be undertaken lightly. For a start, if it’s purely for cosmetic reasons, it will cost at least £ 3000 privately. Surgery should not be the first line treatment for women concerned about the aesthetic appearance of their labia. They need emotional and psychological support, and not least education about what’s normal. Only in a minority of cases with genuine physical or psychological issues, after full appraisal by their GP, should they be referred to a gynaecologist / plastic surgeon. Labioplasty is a safe procedure when performed by an accredited specialist, but the number on the NHS should be an absolute minimum.
Of FAR more concern is female circumcision or genital cutting, also known as genital mutilation, performed for cultural and religious reasons. At the least, this involves cutting the clitoris, and at most, removing all the external genitalia. It is painful, dangerous because of bleeding, infection and scarring, since it’s often carried out before puberty with no anaesthesia, proper instruments, or sterile conditions … and no consent ! This barbaric procedure is widespread in many African countries, also the Middle East, and to a much lesser extent, USA and Europe. It’s estimated that over 2 million girls have some kind of genital cutting every year – which puts cosmetic labioplasty into perspective.
