The DOVE Surgery Technique is a labiaplasty method that Dr Georgina Konrat (MBBS, FACCSM) developed at her Bondi Junction practice in Sydney and documented in the Journal of Cosmetic Surgery and Medicine in 2012, based on a cohort of 451 consecutive cases. This article explains, in plain English, what the technique actually is, what problem it was designed to solve, and how it differs from the two conventional methods most commonly used for labiaplasty.
What DOVE Stands For
DOVE is an acronym for Double Offset V-Plasty with Extended De-epithelialisation. Each part of the name describes a specific feature of the surgical approach:
- Double Offset — the incisions are offset from each other rather than meeting at a single point on the labial edge
- V-Plasty — the incision pattern follows a V-shape
- Extended De-epithelialisation — the outer surface of the tissue is removed over a larger area than the incision line itself
The acronym is a technical description of what the surgeon does during the procedure. It is not a brand, franchise, or trademark. Dr Konrat developed the technique in 2005 and documented it seven years later after performing it on a series of 451 consecutive patients.
The Problem the Technique Was Developed to Solve
Conventional labiaplasty methods fall into two broad categories:
- Trim labiaplasty — excess labial tissue is cut away along the edge of the labia and the two resulting edges are sewn back together.
- Wedge labiaplasty — a V-shaped wedge of tissue is removed from the middle of the labia, including full-thickness tissue, and the two remaining edges are brought together.
Both methods work. Both are performed widely. But both cut through the full thickness of the labia, from the outer surface all the way through to the inner surface. That means both methods cut through the blood supply and the nerve pathways that run within the labial tissue.
The DOVE Surgery Technique was developed to achieve the same reshaping outcome without cutting through the full thickness. Instead, the dissection is superficial — it works within the outer tissue layers only, leaving the deeper blood supply and nerve pathways intact underneath.
How the Technique Works
A DOVE labiaplasty has three characteristics that distinguish it from trim or wedge methods:
1. Superficial dissection. The surgical dissection stays within the outer layers of tissue rather than going through the full thickness. This preserves the deeper vascular and neural structures that run underneath.
2. De-epithelialisation. Instead of cutting a strip of full-thickness tissue away, the outer skin layer is removed over a defined area. The underlying tissue is then folded and sutured into its new position. This approach allows the shape of the labia to be altered without removing significant tissue volume.
3. Closure within the body of the labia. The final suture line is placed within the body of the labia, not along the visible outer edge. This keeps the natural colour gradient at the labial border intact — the gradient between the darker pigmented edge and the lighter inner surface is a normal feature of female anatomy, and trim labiaplasty often disrupts it.
Why the Closure Placement Matters
The edge of the labia minora has a natural colour gradient — the outer surface is typically darker in pigmentation than the inner surface, and the transition between the two occurs along the labial border. This gradient is a normal anatomical feature.
When a trim labiaplasty is performed, the labial border itself is cut away and the suture line ends up running along the new edge of the labia. The natural colour gradient is removed with the excised tissue, and the healed scar forms a new border that may look different from the original.
When a DOVE labiaplasty is performed, the labial border is preserved. The suture line sits within the body of the labia, hidden under the surface, rather than along the edge. The colour gradient remains where it was.
Anaesthesia and Practical Considerations
Because the DOVE Surgery Technique uses superficial dissection rather than full-thickness excision, the procedure can usually be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation rather than requiring general anaesthesia. This is how Dr Konrat performs most cases at her Bondi Junction practice.
Performing labiaplasty under local anaesthetic with sedation has several practical consequences for the patient:
- Recovery on the day is faster — no nausea from general anaesthesia
- No need for an overnight hospital stay — patients go home the same day
- The risks of general anaesthesia itself are avoided
- The procedure takes 60 to 90 minutes, and the full visit takes two to three hours including preparation and recovery time
General anaesthetic is available where clinically appropriate — for example, in combined procedures or where patient preference strongly favours it. The anaesthetic approach is discussed at the second consultation, based on the surgical plan and the patient's medical history.
Who the Technique Is Suitable For
The DOVE Surgery Technique is suitable for labiaplasty in patients where the clinical goal is to reduce or reshape the labia minora. It is not necessarily appropriate for every type of labial procedure. Each case is assessed individually at consultation.
The 2012 paper documented the technique across 451 consecutive cases at Dr Konrat's Bondi Junction practice. All were adult female patients (18+) who presented for labiaplasty for functional or appearance-related reasons and met the criteria for the procedure after consultation.
Labiaplasty is not suitable for everyone. A consultation is required to assess suitability. All surgical procedures carry risks, including bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, and altered sensation. Individual results may vary.
How to Find Out If DOVE Is Appropriate for You
Dr Konrat assesses each patient individually. The assessment process involves:
- GP referral — required before booking the initial consultation under Australian cosmetic procedure regulations
- First consultation — $165 fee, covers medical history, clinical examination, discussion of whether the procedure is appropriate, explanation of the technique, and review of risks
- Second consultation — at least one of the two consultations must be in person; this consultation confirms the plan and provides a written fee estimate
- 7-day cooling-off period — mandatory under Australian regulations before any procedure can be scheduled
To book an initial consultation, see the Book Online page or call 02 9188 1949.