Understanding Intimate Cosmetic Surgery

Female external genital anatomy varies widely between individuals.

Differences in labial length, colour, symmetry and shape can all occur within normal anatomy. A visible or asymmetric labia minora does not automatically indicate a medical problem or a need for surgery.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists specifically emphasizes the broad natural variation of female genital anatomy and advises that measurements alone should not determine whether cosmetic genital surgery is appropriate.

For some adults, however, anatomy may be associated with persistent concerns such as:

• friction during exercise
• pulling or twisting of labial tissue
• discomfort in particular clothing
• discomfort during sexual activity
• changes after childbirth
• significant personal concern about external anatomy

In other cases, the concern involves perceived vaginal laxity rather than the external labia.

These are different anatomical problems and require different assessments.

At DR. MARIS AESTHETICS, the services currently listed in this category are:

• Labiaplasty (External Genital Contouring)
• Vaginal Tightening (Vaginoplasty)

They should not be presented as interchangeable procedures.

Labiaplasty — External Genital Contouring

Labiaplasty is surgery involving the labial tissue, most commonly the labia minora.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes labiaplasty as surgery that reduces the length or proportions of the labia minora. Patients may seek assessment because of pulling, twisting, irritation, discomfort during cycling or intercourse, asymmetry, or personal concern regarding appearance.

The purpose of consultation is not to create one standardized genital appearance.

Instead, Dr. Maris evaluates the patient's individual anatomy and asks:

• What specific concern is causing you to consider surgery?
• Is there physical discomfort?
• Is one side significantly different from the other?
• Has the anatomy changed following childbirth or another event?
• Have you undergone previous surgery?
• What result are you expecting?
• Is surgery appropriate for the concern being described?

A medically responsible consultation should also explain that substantial anatomical variation is normal.

Who May Consider Labiaplasty?

An adult may request a labiaplasty assessment for functional or cosmetic reasons.

Possible concerns can include:

Persistent Friction or Irritation

Some patients experience irritation when labial tissue rubs against clothing or during physical activities.

Pulling or Twisting During Exercise

Cycling, running or other activities may cause discomfort in some individuals when tissue is repeatedly compressed or pulled.

Discomfort During Intimacy

Labial tissue may occasionally be associated with pulling or discomfort during sexual activity.

This requires sensitive assessment because pain during intercourse can have many other causes and should not automatically be attributed to the labia.

Significant Asymmetry

One side of the labia can naturally be longer than the other. Surgery should only be considered if the patient understands that asymmetry itself is common and still wishes to discuss alteration after informed assessment.

Changes After Childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth can alter genital and perineal tissues. The exact concern should be identified before determining whether labiaplasty, another procedure, or no cosmetic surgery is appropriate.

What Labiaplasty Does — and Does Not Do

Labiaplasty primarily changes external labial tissue.

It should not be marketed as a procedure guaranteed to:

• improve sexual pleasure
• increase orgasm
• prevent infection
• correct urinary problems
• make genital anatomy medically “normal”
• produce perfect symmetry

Evidence supporting claims that elective cosmetic genital surgery consistently improves sexual function remains limited.

ACOG specifically advises patients that high-quality evidence on the effectiveness of elective female genital cosmetic surgery is limited and that counseling should address uncertainty as well as potential risks.

For that reason, DR. MARIS content should focus on anatomy, physical concerns, informed choice and realistic expectations rather than promising improved sexuality.

Vaginal Tightening — Vaginoplasty

Vaginal tightening surgery, also called vaginoplasty in the DR. MARIS price list, addresses the vaginal canal rather than primarily reshaping the external labia.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes aesthetic vaginoplasty as a surgical procedure intended to reduce vaginal laxity by addressing vaginal tissue and, depending on the technique, deeper supporting tissues.

Some adults seek consultation after childbirth or because they perceive a change in vaginal tightness.

However, the phrase “vaginal looseness” can describe several different situations.

Symptoms can potentially relate to:

• vaginal tissue changes
• pelvic floor weakness
• childbirth injury
• pelvic organ prolapse
• urinary symptoms
• pain
• other gynecological or pelvic-floor conditions

Cosmetic surgery should therefore not be assumed to be the correct solution before medical assessment.

If symptoms suggest a gynecological, pelvic-floor, prolapse or continence problem, additional specialist evaluation may be necessary.

Labiaplasty vs Vaginal Tightening

These procedures address different anatomy.

A patient may be concerned about one area, both, or neither after clinical examination.

The correct procedure should not be selected from photographs or from a price table alone.

Can Labiaplasty and Vaginoplasty Be Combined?

They are anatomically different procedures and may sometimes be discussed during the same consultation.

Whether they should be performed during one surgical episode depends on:

• the patient's anatomy
• the actual concerns being addressed
• previous childbirth
• previous surgery
• medical history
• surgical extent
• wound-healing considerations
• Dr. Maris's clinical assessment

The current DR. MARIS price list provides separate prices for labiaplasty and vaginoplasty.

It does not provide an approved combined-procedure package price.

Do not calculate a package by simply adding the two published prices unless DR. MARIS has specifically approved that quotation.

Dr. Maris's Approach to Intimate Surgery

Privacy and direct communication are particularly important when discussing intimate surgery.

Dr. Maris / Dr. Tran Minh Huy has 6+ years of cosmetic surgery experience and personally participates throughout the surgical pathway.

Dr. Maris personally:

• conducts the consultation
• discusses the patient's concerns privately
• examines the anatomy when an examination is medically appropriate
• determines whether surgery should be considered
• develops the surgical plan
• performs the operation
• participates in postoperative follow-up

No patient should feel pressured to alter normal anatomy simply because it differs from images seen online.

Consultation should instead establish:

1. what is troubling the patient,
2. whether surgery can reasonably address that concern,
3. what surgery cannot achieve,
4. what scars or anatomical changes may result,
5. what potential complications must be considered.

The Labiaplasty Procedure

Several labiaplasty techniques exist.

ASPS describes techniques including direct trimming of excess tissue and wedge-based reduction, with absorbable sutures commonly used for closure.

However, DR. MARIS AESTHETICS should not claim that Dr. Maris routinely uses a particular technique until this has been medically verified.

The appropriate procedure depends on factors such as:

• labial anatomy
• amount and location of tissue
• asymmetry
• tissue quality
• desired degree of change
• previous surgery
• scar considerations

How Vaginal Tightening Surgery Is Planned

Surgical vaginoplasty can involve removal of selected excess vaginal mucosa and tightening of supporting tissue according to the operative plan.

This description should be treated as general medical information rather than confirmation of the specific DR. MARIS surgical technique.

Before surgery, Dr. Maris should determine:

• what the patient means by vaginal laxity
• whether childbirth or injury contributed
• whether there are pelvic-floor symptoms
• whether another medical evaluation is needed
• how much surgical correction, if any, is appropriate
• what limitations and risks should be discussed

Why Assessment Matters Before Intimate Surgery

Intimate cosmetic surgery requires particularly careful informed consent.

ACOG notes that the evidence base for elective female genital cosmetic surgery remains limited and recommends counseling patients about both natural anatomical variation and potential complications.

This means consultation should not assume:

“You have abnormal anatomy, so you need surgery.”

A more medically appropriate approach is:

“You have a concern. We need to understand your anatomy, symptoms, expectations and the available evidence before determining whether surgery is appropriate.”

This approach protects patient autonomy and reduces unrealistic expectations.

Previous Surgery or Complex Cases

Patients may also seek consultation after a previous labiaplasty or other intimate procedure.

Potential concerns after previous surgery may include:

• persistent asymmetry
• excessive tissue removal
• insufficient reduction
• uncomfortable scar tissue
• altered sensation
• wound-healing problems
• pain
• an unwanted cosmetic result

Revision surgery can be more complex because previous procedures may alter tissue availability, blood supply and scar patterns.

Cleveland Clinic identifies over-removal or under-removal of tissue, wound breakdown, scarring, persistent pain and sensitivity changes among potential labiaplasty complications.

A revision result cannot be promised without examination.

Recovery & Aftercare

Recovery depends on the operation performed and the individual patient's healing.

After Labiaplasty

Swelling, tenderness, bruising and minor bleeding can occur during early recovery.

Cleveland Clinic notes that patients are generally advised to limit strenuous activity while healing, with sexual activity and activities that place pressure on the surgical site commonly restricted for several weeks.

ASPS similarly describes activity restrictions during the healing period after labiaplasty.

These general timelines should not be presented as a guaranteed DR. MARIS recovery protocol.

After Vaginoplasty

Recovery can be more extensive because the surgery involves vaginal tissues rather than only external labial tissue.

ASPS notes that restrictions on tampon use and sexual intercourse may extend for several weeks after surgical vaginoplasty.

Recovery timing depends on the procedure and individual condition and will be discussed during consultation.

Patients should follow Dr. Maris's postoperative instructions rather than general internet timelines.

Privacy During Consultation and Recovery

Intimate surgery involves information many patients prefer to keep highly private.

The website and consultation pathway should therefore communicate discretion without making unsupported guarantees about data systems or confidentiality technology.

International patients should be able to ask questions about:

• how photographs are submitted
• who reviews their information
• what images are medically required
• what examination will involve
• whether a support person may be present when appropriate
• postoperative wound-care requirements

Only clinically necessary photographs should be requested.

Risks & Considerations

All surgery carries potential complications.

ACOG lists potential complications of female genital cosmetic surgery including:

• pain
• bleeding
• infection
• scarring
• adhesions
• altered sensation
• pain during intercourse
• need for additional surgery

Potential labiaplasty-specific concerns also include:

• hematoma
• wound separation
• excessive tissue removal
• insufficient tissue removal
• persistent discomfort
• sensitivity changes

Vaginoplasty also carries risks including bleeding, infection and pain, along with procedure-specific complications that should be discussed during informed consent.

Individual risk depends on health, anatomy, previous procedures, surgical technique and other factors.

Results & Realistic Expectations

Intimate cosmetic surgery should not be used to create an artificial definition of what female genital anatomy is “supposed” to look like.

There is substantial normal variation.

Surgery may alter selected tissues, but it cannot guarantee:

• perfect symmetry
• invisible scars
• a particular sexual response
• increased orgasm
• permanent vaginal tightness
• a specific appearance
• freedom from future anatomical changes

Pregnancy, childbirth, ageing, tissue elasticity and other factors can affect anatomy over time.

Results vary between patients.

For purely cosmetic genital surgery, patients should also understand that high-quality evidence demonstrating improvements in sexual function or psychological outcomes remains limited.

Labiaplasty & Vaginal Tightening Cost in Vietnam

The approved DR. MARIS AESTHETICS International Price List currently lists two procedures in this category:

These procedure names and prices are taken directly from the supplied DR. MARIS international price list.

Labiaplasty Price

Starting from 101,250,000 VND Reference international price: A$5,630

Vaginal Tightening / Vaginoplasty Price

Starting from 87,750,000 VND Reference international price: A$4,880

The supplied document states that prices are indicative starting rates for the procedure only and may vary following an in-person or video consultation.

Foreign-currency figures are reference conversions. The price document also notes that exchange rates can fluctuate and that final invoicing follows the applicable bank exchange rate on the payment date.

Combined Procedure Pricing

The approved price document does not provide a fixed package price for:

Labiaplasty + Vaginal Tightening

An individualized surgical plan and quotation are therefore required.

International Patients Travelling to Vietnam

International patients may begin with a remote consultation before travelling to Ho Chi Minh City.

Because intimate surgery is particularly sensitive, only information relevant to medical assessment should be requested.

You may be asked to provide:

• the concern you want assessed
• previous childbirth history where relevant
• previous intimate or pelvic surgery
• previous complications
• medical conditions
• current medications
• allergies
• smoking or nicotine use
• photographs only where clinically necessary and with appropriate consent

A video consultation can help with preliminary discussion but cannot fully replace physical examination when examination is necessary for surgical planning.

How Long Should I Stay in Ho Chi Minh City?

The appropriate stay depends on the procedure and early healing.

Labiaplasty and vaginal tightening should not automatically be assigned the same travel schedule.

International patients need enough time for:

• early wound assessment
• postoperative review
• identification of bleeding or infection
• monitoring swelling
• evaluation of healing
• clearance for travel

The appropriate return-flight timing should be confirmed by Dr. Maris according to the operation and your postoperative progress.

Why Patients Consider Dr. Maris ?

DR. MARIS AESTHETICS emphasizes personal surgeon involvement and individualized assessment.

Patients can expect:

• private consultation directly with Dr. Maris
• personal examination where clinically appropriate
• individualized surgical planning
• surgery personally performed by Dr. Maris
• postoperative follow-up involving Dr. Maris
• surgery performed at Hong Bang International Hospital
• preliminary online consultation for international patients
• transparent discussion of limitations and risks
• published reference pricing

The objective is not to persuade every patient to undergo surgery.

The consultation should determine whether the procedure is reasonable for the concern being described.