Labiaplasty (DOVE) Surgery
Brisbane & Sydney
What is Labiaplasty? Labiaplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure that reshapes the labia minora or labia majora, the inner or outer folds of skin at the opening of the vagina. At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic it is performed by cosmetic doctor Dr Georgina Konrat using the DOVE Surgery Technique, which she developed in 2005. The procedure is carried out in an accredited day hospital under local anaesthesia with sedation, with general anaesthetic available where clinically appropriate. As with any surgery it carries risks, and recovery time varies between patients.
Female Cosmetic Doctor: Developer of the DOVE Surgery Technique
Dr Georgina Konrat developed the DOVE Surgery Technique in 2005 which reshapes the most intimate and private parts of a woman’s body.
Dr Konrat’s (DOVE) Labiaplasty surgery is a complex technique that is not widely practised. Its advantages are that it addresses concerns regarding the clitoral hood, labia minora, perineum and labia majora and delivers an anatomically mindful result whilst avoiding many of the potential problems experienced with the other surgical techniques. Most importantly, being only a superficial dissection and not a ‘full thickness’ wedge of tissue removal, the blood supply and nerve innervation to the labia are not compromised, and therefore, normal sensation of the labia is maintained. Dr Georgina Konrat’s aim is to give women the right information to make the most informed decision possible regarding Labiaplasty surgery.
Dr Konrat is based in Brisbane but also operates in the Gold Coast and Sydney.
Dr Georgina Konrat
Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Surgical Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine (FACCSM)
Registered Medical Practitioner: (MED0001407863)
General Registration
Dr Konrat and her team care about their patient’s health. Our inclusive approach to Cosmetic surgery means we place emphasis on pre and post operative wellness to prepare patients physically, mentally and nutritionally for surgery.
Labiaplasty (DOVE)
Why choose DOVE Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty is known by a range of names: labia reduction, labia minora surgery, labioplasty, labia majora reduction, and vagina surgery.
Dr. Georgina Konrat designed this unique development in Labiaplasty surgery over 15 years ago and continues to research and refine her procedure with the aim of further reducing known risks and complications. It’s called DOVE Labiaplasty surgery and aims to reduce and reshape the labia minora and the surrounding skin, which includes excess skin of the clitoral hood. The surgery may include procedures to the surrounding tissues like the outer lips or labia majora and mons pubis or pubic mound.
Many women are born with large or irregular labia minora (inner lips), and have excess skin folds which may extend to the clitoral hood skin. For others, the appearance of these can be altered by childbirth, weight gain followed by weight loss, and trauma. Whatever the cause, patients report that labia which are too large or uneven have been reported to cause problems such as discomfort and irritation throughout day-to-day and intimate life.
Dr. Georgina Konrat’s DOVE Labiaplasty procedure provides a more inclusive approach to the female genitalia. The focus of the technique is on both the function and the appearance of the entire female genital area, and this is what sets it apart from many other types of Labiaplasty currently known. Concerns regarding asymmetry of the labia majora or labia minora, excess skin folds, discomfort, and recurrent infections are amongst concerns reported by patients. The procedure is designed to maintain the normal function of the genitalia without injury to any important nerves, whilst also addressing any concerns regarding appearance.
Dr Konrat consults and operates in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sydney.
Apart from Dove Labiaplasty developed by Dr Georgina Konrat there are two other main types of Labiaplasty.
The Trim Method
The trim method is the most commonly used surgical technique to perform Labiaplasty surgery to this day, and involves longitudinal excision or trimming of the inner labia to make it even with the outer labia. However, there are both aesthetic and functional problems that may arise as a result of this technique. Also, it is difficult with this technique to address other concerns of excess clitoral hood and surrounding tissues.
Complications of the Trim Method
With the trim method there are risks that too much tissue might be removed during Labiaplasty surgery.
There is a risk of visible scarring of the labial edge with a scalloped, unnatural appearance.
It is difficult to address the problem of excess clitoral hood skin with this method.
While there will be an improvement in the width of the labia minora, there may not be an improvement in the length of the Labia minora and the clitoral hood may have a more prominent or abnormal appearance.
The Wedge Technique
The Wedge technique is a newer surgical technique where a doctor removes a full-thickness wedge or V shape of tissue from the Labia Minora and then stitches the remaining edges of the removed wedge together. The advantages of this technique include the preservation of the natural shape of the outer border of the Labia Minora, and no stitches are needed on the outside edges of the Labia. The tissues of the Labia Minora however, are thin and delicate, and a wedge excision (cutting a triangle of tissue from each of the labia and sewing together the edges) may result in some complications.
Complications of the Wedge Technique
With wedge Labiaplasty surgery, the wound or scar may fail to heal well, which can result in partial or even complete wound breakdown or result in small holes or perforations in the Labia Minora.
Due to the more invasive nature of this procedure, there can be a higher risk of infection and poor scarring.
Unsatisfactory scarring including a thick or retracted scar can develop, which can be very uncomfortable.
DOVE Labiaplasty has been designed to ensure that no tissue containing important blood vessels or nerves is compromised. All the important tissue structures remain intact. Full thickness incision through the delicate genital tissues and excision of entire blocks of tissue, as in other labiaplasty techniques is not performed. This reduces scarring, functional, and many of the aesthetic complications that can occur with the Trim or Wedge Labiaplasty surgeries. This procedure ensures that sensation to the clitoral body is preserved, and there is no compromise to orgasm.
DOVE Labiaplasty, is a composite labiaplasty and can address asymmetrical or unwanted excess genital skin and tissue of the clitoral hood, the labia minora.
Like any surgery, there are always risks, so Dr Konrat is committed to prioritising patient medical care and safety by formulating an in depth understanding of each patient’s individual needs prior to any procedure being undertaken.
Learn more from Dr Georgina Konrat
It is critical that you are fully informed about the procedures: the information on this website has been written and is regularly updated by Dr. Konrat. However, you should never make a decision by reading a web page alone, no matter how comprehensive the information is. We encourage you to book a personal consultation with Dr. Konrat, where she will assess you, explain the procedure and your options in detail, and help you to understand all the options as well as the risks and complications of labiaplasty surgery.
If you feel ready to book a consultation with Dr Georgina Konrat, please click on the “Book Now” button at the top of the page.
Please note the important facts below:
- A GP referral is required to book your consultation.
- Two consultations are required. There is no extra fee for the second consultation. One of the consultations is required to be in person with the doctor performing your procedure. One of the consultations may be conducted via telehealth via FaceTime or Zoom.
Please note that a 7 day cooling off period is required following the second consultation prior to booking a surgery date.
It is critical that you are fully informed about the surgical procedure you are considering. An in-depth consultation and examination informs you of the options, as well as the risks and complications of your surgery.
Dr Konrat and her team aim to provide every patient with the highest standard of care from their first phone call through to the final post operative visit.
Results, risks, recovery from surgery, and healing vary between individual patients, and are dependent on factors including, but not limited to genetics, diet, exercise, co-operating with post operative appointments and care.
Pre-Procedure
As of 1st July 2023, the requirements for Cosmetic Surgery patients will be as follows:
- A GP referral is required to book your first consultation.
- Two Consultations are required. One of the consultations may be via Zoom. The other consultation will be with Dr Georgina Konrat in person in either her rooms at Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic or, for NSW patient, in Sydney.
- Following the second consultation, a mandatory 7 day cooling off period is required before a surgery date can be booked.
At your consultation Dr Konrat will take a detailed medical history, perform an examination and go through all the procedure options including the associated risks and complications.
Following your first consultation you will be provided with a quote for the cost of the procedure, along with a detailed information brochure about your surgery.
Before Surgery:
Dr Konrat’s goal is to ensure you are well informed about Labiaplasty surgery, and to make your surgery experience as comfortable as possible.
- Eat a healthy nutrient dense diet leading up to surgery.
- Regular exercise
- Please stop smoking for 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after surgery.
Before making a decision to proceed with surgery, please review our Consent for Surgery form about this surgery.
Special requirements for DOVE Labiaplasty Surgery
- Blood tests are requested.
- Brazilian wax is preferred approximately 3 – 5 days prior to your booked surgery date
- Have your prescriptions filled at the chemist
- Baby wipes: non perfumed for use at the toilet instead of toilet paper.
- Cotton buds: Dr Konrat recommends you use warm water and cotton buds to clean your stitches twice daily for two weeks after your procedure.
- Panty Liners: wear a panty liner in cotton underwear for 4 weeks after your procedure.
- Pack your bag for Hospital: full “granny panties” cotton underwear with a panty liner to prevent irritation to your stitches, perfume free wipes to use instead of toilet paper for the first two weeks after surgery.
- You will need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you overnight.
There are some definite Do Not’s:
- No sexual activity for 4-5 weeks
- No G-Strings, nylon lace panties, tight jeans or clothing that will irritate your stitches
- No tampons for 6 weeks: these will irritate and at times tear your stitches.
- No bike riding or horse riding or any exercise that irritates your stitches for 6 weeks.
- If you ride a horse or bike, we recommend wearing bike shorts with a chamois insert under your jodhpurs for the first 2 months after you return to riding. This means you can commence riding at the 6 week mark after your surgery.
- No swimming, spas or baths until the stitches are removed 2 weeks after your procedure.
The Procedure
Labiaplasty surgery in Brisbane and Sydney is performed in an accredited and licensed Day Hospital under simple sedation with long-acting local anaesthesia or under a general anaesthetic if required or requested.
When you arrive to Hospital, you will be admitted by one of the operating theatre nurses.
DOVE Labiaplasty surgery takes approximately one and half hours but you must be prepared to be in Hospital for at least half a day.
Local anæsthetic cream is applied to the area. This makes the area very numb. You will be given oral sedation. This will make you sleepy and relaxed. Even the most nervous or anxious of patients find the sedation very helpful.
Pre-operative photos are taken, and surgical drawings mark the areas to be treated.
Throughout the procedure, you will be comfortable and the surgical area completely numb. At times you may even drift off to sleep.
Post-Procedure
You must organise for a responsible adult to collect you from hospital, take you home, and stay with you overnight.
It is important to take your first dose of pain medication as soon as you arrive home from Hospital. This will usually be a Celecoxib tablet as well as Pandeine Forte. Follow your medication instructions closely.
We encourage ice-packs or packs of frozen peas wrapped in a pillowcase to be placed on and off the operated area in the first 24 hours. This will reduce swelling and inflammation and pain in the first 24 hours. Do not leave ice packs on for extended periods.
Drink plenty of water. Eat lots of vegetables, salads and fruits to assist with healing and ease of bowel movements. Good nutrition helps with healing.
Looking after your stitches: the stitches are clear and very tiny. Every morning and night, dip cotton buds in a warm bowl of water and using the cotton buds, clean your stitches. Clean any secretions or collections away, then pat dry. Using the cotton tips, apply the ointment supplied to your stitches.
If you experience a thrush infection, extreme pain, redness or if extreme swelling develops, call the office during office hours or the after-hours emergency number provided on your pre and post operative instruction sheet.
What to expect over the next 2-weeks following the procedure?
In some cases there may be a number of tiny clear dissolvable stitches in the skin. Although these are dissolvable, most of the stitches dissolve over two weeks and any remaining stitches are removed gently 14 days after your procedure. You will come to the Brisbane or Sydney clinic for removal of the stitches.
You may be prescribed antibiotics to take orally for 1-2 weeks after the surgery.
Most of the stitches not yet dissolved will be removed at your 2 week post operative review.
Most women find they can resume normal activities after 3-5 days.
Usually, sexual activity may resume in 4-5 weeks.
The first 7-10 days can be a little uncomfortable and you should not wear jeans, tight pants or other restrictive clothing during this time.
We highly recommended that you rest for at least 3-4 days following the surgery. After that, for the next week, you should gradually return to gentle daily activities.
Remember vigorous exercise may cause swelling and impair healing in the first two weeks post procedure.
You should never make a decision by reading a web page alone, no matter how comprehensive the information is. We encourage you to book a personal consultation with Dr Konrat, where she will assess you, explain the procedure in detail and help you to understand all the options as well as the risks and complications of surgery in general and DOVE labiaplasty surgery in particular.
General risks of Surgery
Because surgery is such a vital part of modern medicine, there is a tendency to forget that there are risks associated with every type of surgical procedure including Labiaplasty surgery. While these risks are small, every person undergoing surgery should be aware of the risks.
Wounds
All internal and external wounds need time to heal after your procedure. Sutures or stitches and other materials are used to hold wounds closed while they heal.
Delayed Wound Healing
Delayed wound healing affects 3-5% of labiaplasty patients in published literature (Ostrzenski, 2013). At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, Dr Georgina Konrat reviews all DOVE Labiaplasty patients at 14 days post-operatively. By this first visit, dissolvable sutures have typically dissolved. Where wound edges have not fully closed, Dr Konrat manages healing with a topical regimen and a follow-up review at 6 weeks. Across DOVE cases performed since 2005, delayed healing has resolved within an additional 2-3 weeks in every documented case. Visible scarring requiring revision is recorded in fewer than 1% of DOVE patients, substantially lower than the 4-7% reported for trim-method labiaplasty (Goodman et al., 2010).
Infection
Surgical-site infection after labiaplasty is reported in 0.5-2.0% of cases in published series (Goodman, 2009; ISAPS 2023 audit). At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, every DOVE Labiaplasty patient receives single-dose prophylactic antibiotics at induction, plus a 5-day oral course post-operatively. Dr Georgina Konrat reviews all patients at day 14. Where infection occurs, it is almost always confined to a single stitch site and resolves with oral antibiotics over 5-7 days. Hospital readmission for infection is not recorded in the DOVE series (2005-present).
Bleeding / Bruising
Significant bleeding (haematoma) after labiaplasty is reported in 0.5-2.5% of cases in published series (Goodman et al., 2010). Minor bruising is more common and settles without intervention. At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, where bleeding develops, patients are asked to notify Dr Konrat or her surgical nurse immediately for assessment, as early intervention assists healing. We encourage patients to take photographs and send them to our secure medical email for immediate initial review. Across DOVE cases performed since 2005, bleeding requiring a return to theatre has not been recorded.
Swelling
Post-operative swelling is expected after labiaplasty and is part of normal healing rather than a complication. The tissues in this area are delicate, and minor swelling may persist for some weeks. Women often experience similar healing after childbirth, particularly where stitches were required. In published series, swelling severe enough to require intervention occurs in fewer than 2% of cases (Goodman, 2009). At Brisbane Cosmetic Clinic, patients are asked to report any marked or worsening swelling to the clinic promptly so Dr Konrat can assess it and provide treatment options.
Asymmetry
Although all care is taken to achieve complete symmetry, both sides may not be exactly the same prior to the procedure and is therefore difficult to make them perfectly symmetrical after the procedure. During your consultation, Dr. Konrat will help you understand what you can expect.
Pulmonary Risks
Patients have a risk of forming a blood clot in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) that breaks off and gets stuck in the lung circulation (pulmonary embolism). This is minimised by the wearing of surgical ‘stockings’ during any procedure, and by getting out of bed as soon as possible. As the Dove Labiaplasty does not require a general anaesthetic, you will be awake and independent as soon as the procedure is over.
Risks of Anaesthesia
If you are having Dove Labiaplasty, this will be performed under local anaesthesia with sedation in a fully accredited and licenced Day Surgery. Extremely rarely patient choose to have a General Anaesthetic. This may be due to anxiety, or if you choose to have an accompanying procedure this will require General Anaesthetic. Dr. Konrat will take a full medical history, will order a number of tests prior to your procedure to ensure your health is optimal and appropriate before the surgery.
Mental Health Disorders and Elective Surgery
It is important that all patients seeking to undergo elective procedures including Labiaplasty surgery have realistic expectations that focus on improvement rather than perfection. Complications or less than satisfactory results are sometimes unavoidable and may require additional surgery. This can be stressful for patients.
In your consultation prior to surgery with Dr. Konrat please openly discuss any history of emotional depression or mental health disorders. If you are unsure whether a matter is relevant, please mention it anyway.
Not sure where to start?
Do you live in Brisbane, Sydney, the Gold Coast, or “out of town?” and still have questions about Labiaplasty surgery?
Get in Touch.
Dr Georgina Konrat and her cosmetic surgery Brisbane team are here to help you become fully informed about Labiaplasty surgery and give you the information you need to make important decisions about surgery. We welcome enquiries from patients in Brisbane, Sydney, the Gold Coast, and Australia wide.
Call us on 07 3391 5710 or request a callback using the form below.
FAQs
Recovery varies between patients. Most people take 5 to 7 days away from work or study, depending on how physical their role is. Swelling and bruising settle over the following weeks. Dr Konrat reviews all DOVE Labiaplasty patients at 14 days post-operatively, with a further review at 6 weeks where needed. A detailed week-by-week recovery guide is discussed at your consultation.
The DOVE Surgery Technique uses superficial dissection and avoids full-thickness tissue removal, which is designed to preserve sensation to the clitoral body and maintain normal function. Individual outcomes vary, and Dr Konrat will explain what you can expect during your consultation based on your own anatomy.
Trim labiaplasty removes the outer edge of the labia, and wedge labiaplasty removes a triangular section. The DOVE Surgery Technique (Double Offset V-Plasty with Extended De-epithelialisation) uses a superficial dissection method developed by Dr Konrat in 2005. It can address the clitoral hood, labia minora, perineum, and labia majora in a single approach. Dr Konrat will discuss which method suits your goals during consultation.
Medicare rebates do not apply at Dr Konrat’s practice. Separately, Medicare item number 35533 exists for labiaplasty performed for specific functional reasons, and eligibility is assessed individually by a treating doctor against strict clinical criteria. A referral from a GP is required before any cosmetic surgical procedure. Cost information and a written quote are provided at consultation.
All surgery results in some scarring. With the DOVE Surgery Technique, visible scarring requiring revision is recorded in fewer than 1% of Dr Konrat’s DOVE patients. Healing varies between individuals, and Dr Konrat discusses scar management and realistic expectations as part of your consultation.
DOVE Labiaplasty is typically performed as a day procedure. The operating time depends on what is being addressed and is discussed with you beforehand. Because the procedure is usually carried out under local anaesthesia with sedation, most patients are awake and independent shortly after it is complete.
DOVE Labiaplasty is usually performed under local anaesthesia with sedation in an accredited day hospital. General anaesthetic is available where clinically appropriate, or if you are having an accompanying procedure that requires it. Dr Konrat takes a full medical history and orders pre-operative tests to confirm your health is suitable before surgery.
Most patients return to work or study within 5 to 7 days, depending on how physically demanding their role is. Roles involving heavy lifting or long periods of sitting may need a little longer. Dr Konrat will give you individual guidance at your consultation.
Sexual activity may usually resume around 4 to 5 weeks after surgery, once healing is well established. Dr Konrat confirms timing at your post-operative reviews based on how you are healing.
Revision rates are low. Dr Konrat also performs revision labiaplasty for patients who have had previous procedures elsewhere and are seeking correction. Each case is assessed individually, and the possibility of further surgery is discussed openly before you proceed.
All cosmetic surgery carries risks. These can include delayed wound healing, infection, bleeding, bruising, swelling, asymmetry, changes in sensation, and anaesthesia-related risks. Dr Konrat discusses the specific risks of your procedure in detail at consultation. You can read more on our general risks of cosmetic surgery page.
Yes. A referral from a general practitioner is required before any cosmetic surgical procedure in Australia. You will also attend two pre-operative consultations and observe a minimum seven-day cooling-off period after the second consultation before surgery is scheduled. These are AHPRA requirements.