Can Plastic Surgery Lead to Better Sex?

By Lauren Katulka , December 12, 2012

Takeaway: Getting a nip and tuck below the navel can sometimes improve sexual performance - for a price.

Source: Flickr/Digi shot

Modern plastic surgery isn’t just about stealing Jennifer Aniston’s nose and Angelina Jolie’s luscious lips. These days, doctors offer nips and tucks designed to give you a boost in the bedroom - and we don't just mean giving your naughty bits a bit of a cosmetic face lift. In fact, many people go under the knife to enhance the ability and sensation of their most private parts. Check out some of the contemporary medical procedures designed to up the ante in the bedroom. (If you're looking to spice things up in the bedroom sex toys are a safe, inexpensive way to do it. Check out some of the top-selling toys on Adam & Eve.)

Labiaplasty

Ladies, if you've had a few kids, you probably already have an idea of where this is headed. As we age, all of our skin loses a little of its youthful snap. Sadly, the genitals are no exception. In labiaplasty, the inner or outer labia, or both, are trimmed and shaped to correct elongated or asymmetrical labia. It’s an outpatient procedure that takes roughly two hours under local anesthetic. (Learn more about your lady bits in 10 Things You Don't Know About Vaginas.)

Does this surgery mean better sex?
Elongated labia can make sex uncomfortable or even painful, so in extreme cases, a little trim can make a big difference. Improving the appearance of the labia can also give women a serious confidence boost, which can pay dividends in the sack. However, this procedure isn’t without risk, and it isn't designed to increase pleasure. If your labia don't bother you, there's no need to go under the knife.

Costs for this procedure vary depending on whether you have the labia majora, minora, or both snipped. You can expect to pay somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 for the anesthetic, facility and surgeon fees. Health insurance may cover some of these costs if your labia are causing painful sex or exercise.

Hoodectomy

A hoodectomy reduces the size of the clitoral hood, which, as you might have guessed, covers the clitoris. Now why, you might ask, would anyone want to denude that little bean? The clitoral hood protects the ultra-sensitive clitoris, but for some women it works far too well. In other words, their love button just doesn't make their bells ring. For women who experience this problem, a hoodectomy can make sex much easier to enjoy. It’s a fairly quick procedure, generally taking an hour or less to complete. Hoodectomies are often performed at the same time as labiaplasty.

Does this surgery mean better sex?
Hoodectomies are generally performed to correct asymmetrical genitals, but better sex is a welcome result. With less hood covering it, women report greater clitoral stimulation. This leads to easier and more intense orgasms, particularly through sexual intercourse.

As for the cost, most surgeons charge around $2,500 for the procedure.

G-Spot Amplification

Most women (and men!) would agree that he G-spot can be hard to find. But for some women, it's darn near impossible to palpate. In these cases, the procedure commonly known as the "G-shot" can help magnify this powerful patch of sex tissue. Surgeons inject the G-spot with collagen, causing it to swell to around the size of a quarter. It’s a fast procedure, taking 15 minutes from start to finish. Unfortunately, the effects only last for three months.

Does this surgery mean better sex?
Enlarging the G-spot makes it easier to find - and more responsive. In fact, an impressive 90 percent of women say they’ve had better sex and more orgasms after the G-shot. Reports of multiple and spontaneous orgasms are also common.

This is quite a costly jab at around $1,850.

Vaginal Tightening

Childbirth is hard - not just on the mother, but on her vagina. As a result, many women undergo vaginal tightening. In this procedure, surgeons cut or use a laser to tighten and shorten the stretched muscles at the back of the vagina. Excess vaginal lining is also removed at this time. The procedure takes approximately an hour, but many women will require an overnight hospital stay.

Does this surgery mean better sex?
Patients say vaginal tightening gives them a brand new vagina. Because the muscles are tighter, the sensations during sex can be much stronger for both the woman and her male partner.

Vaginal tightening typically costs around $5,900.

Phalloplasty

Women aren’t the only ones who put their privates under the knife. In fact, there are several procedures designed for men. Phalloplasty plays to the ultimate male fantasy by increasing the size and girth of the penis. During enlargement phalloplasty, the surgeon makes two cuts: one at the base of the penis and the other at the ligament that attaches the penis to the body. This causes the penis to extend further from the body. It’s not actually longer, but more of it is visible. There’s also girth enlargement phalloplasty, where surgeons graft fat underneath the skin of the penis or inject it. Men who opt for a full phalloplasty have both these procedures done. The surgery normally takes between one and three hours. (Learn more about the male member in 10 Things You Don't Know About Penises.)

Does this surgery mean better sex?
We’ve all been told that size doesn’t matter, but try telling that to a man who's convinced he's below average. For these men, higher confidence can mean better sex, both for them and their partners. However, like all surgery, phalloplasty comes with its share of risk. The most serious (and ironic) in this case is the loss of the penis as a result of infection or blood supply issues.

Phalloplasty typically cost between $4,000 and $5,000.

Should You Pursue Surgery for Better Sex?

Many of us like to say we'd give anything for great sex, but in reality, most of us wouldn't be willing to sacrifice our health - or our lives. Therefore, it's important to think carefully before going under the knife in pursuit of pleasure. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has taken a firm stance against all genital rejuvenation procedures because it says the risks outweigh any benefits. These risks include post-surgical bleeding, infection, decreased sensation, pain, excessive scarring and even sexual dysfunction. If you’re one of the unlucky ones, that procedure you got to improve your sex life might actually make things worse - or even make sex impossible.

On the other side of the coin, many plastic surgery fans say these operations have given them a new lease on life. If you do decide the procedures are worth the risk and expense, you’ll need to find a reputable surgeon certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery or the official body in your country. (Get a look at cosmetic surgery from the patients' perspective in Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery: Things You'll Never Learn from Your Plastic Surgeon on Amazon.com)

Have you had plastic surgery to improve your sex life? Tell us about it!

Tags: Naughty Bits Sex Esthetics

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About Lauren Katulka

Lauren Katulka is a happily married freelance writer living on Australia's Central Coast. When she's not playing around with words she loves spending time in the kitchen, watching indie films and cuddling her Devon Rex cat, Gizmo.

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