Who Is a Candidate for the DOVE Surgery Technique?

Q: Question 1: Is Labiaplasty Appropriate?

A patient is generally a candidate for labiaplasty if: - Age — 18 years or older (Australian regulations prohibit cosmetic labiaplasty on minors) - General health — in good general health, with no significant uncontrolled medical conditions that would make elective surgery unsafe - Concerns have been considered over time — the decision has not been made in response to a short-term circumstance such as a recent relationship change - Expectations are realistic — the patient understands what the procedure can and cannot achieve, and understands that individual results vary - Able to follow post-operative instructions — able to take time off work, avoid strenuous activity for several weeks, and attend follow-up appointments - Has a GP referral: required for the initial consultation and may be brought or supplied at the appointment; it is not required before booking Patients who are generally not candidates for labiaplasty include those under 18, those whose expectations cannot be met by what the procedure realistically offers, those whose concerns appear to be driven by short-term distress rather than long-considered judgment, and those with significant uncontrolled medical conditions that would increase surgical risk. Dr Konrat assesses whether labiaplasty is likely to address the concerns raised. A consultation may conclude that no procedure is appropriate.

Not every patient who asks about labiaplasty is a candidate for the procedure. And not every patient who is a candidate for labiaplasty is necessarily a good fit for the DOVE Surgery Technique specifically. This article explains the clinical factors Dr Georgina Konrat (MBBS, FACCSM) considers at consultation when assessing candidacy, and what tends to make the DOVE Surgery Technique a suitable or unsuitable choice for an individual case.

The Two Questions at Consultation

Every labiaplasty consultation at Dr Konrat's Bondi Junction practice asks two separate questions:

Is labiaplasty an appropriate procedure for this patient?
If yes, which technique is the right fit?

The first question is about the patient, their concerns, and their suitability for elective surgery in general. The second question is technical and involves assessing the anatomy and deciding which surgical approach may be appropriate for the agreed clinical plan.

Most of this article is about the second question, because that's where the suitability of the DOVE Surgery Technique is determined. But the first question comes first, and if the answer is "no", the second question is not asked.

Question 1: Is Labiaplasty Appropriate?

A patient is generally a candidate for labiaplasty if:

Age — 18 years or older (Australian regulations prohibit cosmetic labiaplasty on minors)
General health — in good general health, with no significant uncontrolled medical conditions that would make elective surgery unsafe
Concerns have been considered over time — the decision has not been made in response to a short-term circumstance such as a recent relationship change
Expectations are realistic — the patient understands what the procedure can and cannot achieve, and understands that individual results vary
Able to follow post-operative instructions — able to take time off work, avoid strenuous activity for several weeks, and attend follow-up appointments
Has a GP referral: required for the initial consultation and may be brought or supplied at the appointment; it is not required before booking

Patients who are generally not candidates for labiaplasty include those under 18, those whose expectations cannot be met by what the procedure realistically offers, those whose concerns appear to be driven by short-term distress rather than long-considered judgment, and those with significant uncontrolled medical conditions that would increase surgical risk.

Dr Konrat assesses whether labiaplasty is likely to address the concerns raised. A consultation may conclude that no procedure is appropriate.

Question 2: Is the DOVE Surgery Technique the Right Technique?

Once a patient is identified as an appropriate candidate for labiaplasty in general, the next question is which technique to use. The three main labiaplasty techniques — trim, wedge, and the DOVE Surgery Technique — each have specific clinical indications.

The DOVE Surgery Technique may be considered when:

The clinical goal involves superficial reshaping rather than significant tissue removal. The DOVE Surgery Technique removes an outer tissue layer and folds the underlying tissue. Whether that approach is appropriate depends on the individual anatomy and clinical plan.

The labial edge is relevant to the procedure plan. The DOVE Surgery Technique is designed to retain the labial border and its pigmentation transition. The expected anatomical changes and limitations must be assessed individually.

Local anaesthetic with oral sedation is being considered. The DOVE Surgery Technique uses superficial dissection rather than full-thickness excision and may be performed under local anaesthetic with oral sedation in appropriate cases. As ANZCA explains, local anaesthetic can be used alone or with sedation and is distinct from general anaesthesia. The anaesthetic plan requires an individual clinical assessment.

The location of deeper nerve pathways is relevant to the procedure plan. All labiaplasty techniques carry a risk of altered sensation. The DOVE Surgery Technique uses superficial dissection with the aim of limiting disruption to deeper structures, but no technique can ensure unchanged sensation.

The DOVE Surgery Technique may not be the suitable choice when:

Significant volume reduction is required. If the clinical goal requires substantial tissue removal rather than reshaping, a full-thickness technique (trim or wedge) may achieve the goal more directly.

The anatomy requires a different or combined approach. Some anatomical variations may require another technique or a combined plan. Dr Konrat discusses alternatives where the DOVE Surgery Technique is not appropriate.

Revision cases from a previous labiaplasty. Revision labiaplasty — correcting a previous procedure performed by Dr Konrat or by another doctor — is more complex because the anatomy has already been altered and scar tissue is present. Each revision case is assessed individually, and the technique used depends on what the previous surgery did and what can be corrected.

The Consultation Process

Candidacy is assessed over two consultations (at least one in person), following a GP referral. The process is:

GP referral: a referral is required for the first consultation. It may be brought or supplied at the appointment and is not required before booking, but the consultation cannot proceed without it
Initial consultation ($165): medical history, clinical examination, discussion of the procedure, review of risks and initial assessment of whether labiaplasty is appropriate
Second consultation: if appropriate, this consultation confirms the proposed surgical plan, discusses the technique and provides a written fee estimate
Cooling-off period: after the two consultations and informed consent, a minimum seven-day cooling-off period applies before surgery can be booked or a deposit paid

You can stop the process at any point. Some patients leave after the initial consultation having decided labiaplasty is not right for them — which is a valid outcome of the consultation process.

Individual Factors Matter More Than General Rules

The factors above are general tendencies. In practice, every individual case is different, and the final decision about candidacy and technique is based on:

The individual anatomy (which varies considerably between patients)
The specific concerns the patient wants to address
Their general health and any relevant medical history
Their preferences regarding anaesthesia and recovery
Their expectations about the outcome
Whether a non-surgical option might be more appropriate

Dr Konrat is a cosmetic doctor (MBBS, FACCSM) who has been practising since 1997 and developed the DOVE Surgery Technique at her Bondi Junction practice. She performs the consultation herself and assesses whether the DOVE Surgery Technique, trim, wedge or no procedure is appropriate for an individual case.

Risks and Limitations

All surgical procedures carry risks including bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, altered sensation that may be temporary or permanent, wound dehiscence and the possibility of requiring revision surgery. The design of a technique does not eliminate these risks or predict a specific outcome. Individual results vary, and labiaplasty is not suitable for everyone.

Booking an Initial Consultation

If you would like Dr Konrat to assess whether labiaplasty and a particular technique may be appropriate, book an initial consultation via the Book Online page or call 02 9188 1949. A GP referral is required for the first consultation. It may be brought or supplied at the appointment and is not required before booking, but the consultation cannot proceed without it.