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 DOVE 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 — assessing the anatomy and deciding which surgical approach will best achieve the goal.
Most of this article is about the second question, because that's where DOVE's suitability 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 under Australian cosmetic procedure regulations before the initial consultation can be booked
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 will be honest at consultation if labiaplasty is unlikely to address the concerns raised. A responsible consultation says "no" when "no" is the right answer.
Question 2: Is DOVE 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 DOVE — each have specific clinical indications.
DOVE tends to be a good fit when:
The clinical goal is superficial reshaping rather than significant tissue removal. The DOVE technique works by removing the outer skin layer and folding the underlying tissue into a new shape. It is well suited to cases where the labial tissue needs to be reshaped rather than dramatically reduced in volume.
The patient wants to preserve the natural labial edge. The DOVE technique keeps the labial border and its pigmentation gradient intact. Patients who specifically want the natural edge and colour transition preserved are often good candidates.
The patient wants to avoid general anaesthesia. Because DOVE uses superficial dissection rather than full-thickness cutting, the procedure can usually be performed under local anaesthetic with sedation. Patients who specifically want to avoid general anaesthesia — whether for medical reasons, personal preference, or to reduce recovery time — are often better suited to DOVE.
Preservation of the deep nerve pathways is a priority. All labiaplasty techniques carry some risk of altered sensation. The DOVE technique's superficial dissection is designed to leave the deep nerve pathways intact. Patients who prioritise sensation preservation may prefer DOVE for this reason, though it is important to understand that no technique can guarantee unchanged sensation.
DOVE may not be the best fit 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 is unusual or requires a customised approach. Some anatomical variations are better suited to a custom combined approach. Dr Konrat discusses alternatives at consultation where DOVE is not the best fit.
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 — your GP provides a referral letter before the first appointment
- 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 surgical plan, discusses the specific technique Dr Konrat recommends, and provides a written fee estimate
- 7-day cooling-off period — mandatory under Australian cosmetic procedure regulations before any procedure can be scheduled
There is no pressure to proceed 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 based on 451 consecutive cases at her Bondi Junction practice. She performs the consultation herself and will explain honestly at consultation whether DOVE, trim, wedge, or no procedure at all is the right recommendation for an individual case.
Risks and Limitations
All surgical procedures carry risks including bleeding, infection, scarring, asymmetry, altered sensation (which may be temporary or permanent), wound dehiscence, and the possibility of requiring revision surgery. The DOVE technique's design may reduce certain risks but does not eliminate them. Individual results may vary. No technique can guarantee a specific outcome. Labiaplasty is not suitable for everyone.
Booking an Initial Consultation
If you would like Dr Konrat to assess whether you are a candidate for labiaplasty and, if so, which technique is appropriate, book an initial consultation via the Book Online page or call 02 9188 1949. A GP referral is required before the first appointment.