DOVE Surgery Technique

Labiaplasty may be performed under local anaesthetic with oral sedation or under general anaesthesia. The anaesthetic, facility and discharge plan are determined after individual clinical assessment.

Dr Konrat marks the dissection areas based on the plan from your consultation. She then uses fine instruments to separate and reshape tissue layer by layer, working within the superficial plane.

Once the reshaping is complete, dissolvable sutures close the area. The whole thing takes roughly 60 to 90 minutes depending on how much tissue needs to be addressed.

Afterwards, you rest in our recovery area before heading home with written aftercare instructions.

People come to us for different reasons. Some have discomfort during exercise or cycling. Others deal with chafing from clothing or irritation that gets in the way of everyday life. Some have concerns about asymmetry or the size of their labia.

You need to be over 18. At your consultation, Dr Konrat will go through your medical history, talk about what's bothering you, and be upfront about what labiaplasty can and can't do for your particular situation.

Not everyone who enquires will be a suitable candidate. Dr Konrat will tell you honestly if the procedure isn't right for you.

When you arrive at our Bondi Junction rooms, our all-female clinical team will get you settled. There's time to ask any last questions before things start.

Local anaesthetic is used to numb the area. Pressure or movement may still be noticed, and any discomfort should be reported so the clinical team can assess it. You're welcome to listen to music or a podcast while Dr Konrat works.

After the procedure you'll rest for about 30 to 60 minutes. You'll need someone to drive you home — we won't discharge you without a support person. We send you off with written aftercare instructions, pain relief advice, and our direct contact details in case anything comes up.

Recovery varies between patients and depends on the procedure plan, health, work and healing.

Swelling, bruising and discomfort may occur. Dr Konrat provides written instructions about symptom management, wound care and when to contact the practice. Dissolvable sutures are used, although the time they take to dissolve varies.

Patients receive individual instructions about time away from work, clothing and when exercise, swimming, baths and sexual activity may resume. The treating team’s directions take priority over general time ranges.

The practice commonly schedules follow-up at about one week and six weeks. Healing and appearance continue to change over time.

Every surgical procedure carries risk. You need to understand these before deciding whether to go ahead.

With labiaplasty, the risks include bleeding, infection, delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence (where the wound separates), asymmetry, scarring, chronic discomfort, and changes in sensation — which can be temporary or permanent. Some patients require revision surgery.

The operative design of a technique does not eliminate these risks or establish that they are less likely. How likely a complication is and how severe it might be varies from person to person. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) has published a position statement on female genital cosmetic surgery that sets out what informed consent should cover. Plain-English background on female anatomy is available at healthdirect.

Dr Konrat's AHPRA registration can be verified on the public AHPRA register (registration number MED0001407863). Dr Konrat goes through all of this at your consultation. Ask as many questions as you need. You do not need to decide on the spot. Take whatever time you need.