Labia Majora Augmentation in Sharjah

What is labia majora augmentation?

Labia majora augmentation is a treatment that fills out the labia majora, the two outer folds of the vulva. The labia majora are made mostly of a soft pad of fat covered by skin, and that fat pad cushions and protects the more delicate inner tissues.

The fat pad changes over a lifetime. Falling oestrogen around menopause, significant weight loss and ageing can all thin it, and the skin over it can become loose and wrinkled. Augmentation replaces some of that lost fullness. Two materials are used:

| Method | What is used | How long it lasts | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat transfer | Your own fat, taken from another area | The fat that establishes a blood supply stays as living tissue | Operating theatre |
| Hyaluronic acid filler | A gel similar to a substance found naturally in skin | Gradually absorbed by the body, so it is temporary | Treatment room |

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, both methods are carried out in-house by the gynaecology and obstetrics team. The fat method follows the same principles as the hospital's fat transfer service, and the gel method uses the same family of products described on the dermal fillers page.

Who needs it

Women consider labia majora augmentation when the outer lips have become thin, flat or loose, and this causes discomfort or affects how they feel about their body. Common situations include:

• thinning after menopause, sometimes with dryness and a feeling that the area is less cushioned
• deflation after major weight loss, including after weight-loss surgery
• loose outer skin that makes the inner lips more exposed and prone to rubbing
• a wish for a fuller, more even outline

The choice between fat and filler is the main decision. Fat transfer suits women who have a little spare fat elsewhere, such as the lower abdomen or inner thighs, and who prefer their own tissue and a longer-lasting change. Filler suits women who want a smaller change, a quicker procedure without an operation, or a trial of how added volume feels before considering fat. Where the inner lips are the main concern, labiaplasty may be discussed instead or as well. If dryness and menopausal symptoms are part of the picture, menopause management is offered alongside.

What happens

Fat transfer is done in an operating theatre under local anaesthetic with sedation or under general anaesthetic. A fluid containing local anaesthetic is placed in the donor area, and fat is drawn out gently through a thin tube inserted through a tiny cut. The fat is cleaned and prepared, then injected into the labia majora through fine cannulas in many small threads spread in different directions, so each thread lies close to a blood supply. The tiny entry points are closed with a stitch or a small dressing. Fat transfer is usually a day case.

Filler treatment takes place in a treatment room. A numbing cream or local anaesthetic is applied, and the gel is injected in small amounts through a fine needle or blunt cannula, and the outline is shaped gradually by gentle massage between injections. The session is short and you go home the same day.

For both methods the gynaecologist agrees the amount of volume with you beforehand and works conservatively to keep the result in proportion with your body.

Preparing for it

A consultation and examination come first. Tell the team about all medicines and supplements, particularly blood thinners, and about any cold sores or skin conditions in the genital area. For fat transfer you have a pre-operative assessment and fasting instructions, and you need someone to take you home.

Choose a date away from your period. Stopping smoking helps transferred fat survive, and keeping your weight steady around the procedure matters, because transferred fat grows and shrinks with the rest of your body fat. Have loose cotton underwear and, for fat transfer, any compression garment advised for the donor area ready at home. If you plan treatment around Ramadan, mention it early.

Afterwards

Swelling and bruising of the labia and, after fat transfer, of the donor area are expected and settle over the following weeks. The labia often look fuller at first than they will finally be. After fat transfer, part of the transferred fat is naturally absorbed while the rest settles, and the final shape becomes clear over a few months.

Rinse the area with plain water after the toilet and pat dry. Avoid pressure on the labia, such as cycling, riding or tight clothing, until your doctor advises. In the Sharjah heat, loose breathable clothing and cool rooms help swelling settle; avoid saunas, hot baths and intense sun on the area in the first weeks. A follow-up visit checks healing and discusses any touch-up.

Contact the hospital urgently if swelling increases sharply, the area becomes hot, red and more painful, or you develop a fever. **Go to the emergency department straight away if skin near the treated area turns pale, dusky or blotchy soon after filler, or if you have sudden breathlessness or chest pain.**

Cost and insurance

Labia majora augmentation is a cosmetic procedure and is self-pay; UAE insurance plans usually exclude it. Fat transfer and filler are priced differently, and filler may need repeating over time. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah explains the costs of your chosen method at consultation; call 06 599 7777.