Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery Questions - Dr. Michael Safir of Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, California

Aesthetic and Functional Vaginal Surgery
FAQs Frequently Asked Questions

What is Functional and Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery?
Aesthetic and functional vaginal surgery refers to procedures that are designed to restore normal anatomy of the vagina and a specific appearance of the labia and vaginal opening. Health care consumers are, not surprisingly, overwhelmed and confused about the marketing terms many surgeons have introduced to educate this emerging technology to women. Operations include labiaplasty (minora and/or majora), vaginoplasty and perineoplasty to improve symmetry, shape or size of the genitalia. Dr. Safir has dedicated his training and practice to reconstructive genital and urinary surgery in women and is currently the only urological surgeon in Los Angeles with ABOG/ABU-approved fellowship training in female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery as well as formal surgical training in aesthetic vaginal surgery.

How do I choose a surgeon?
Many types of physicians have begun to offer functional and aesthetic vaginal surgery, including gynecologists, urologists and plastic surgeons. Dr. Safir believes that the informed patient will assure that her surgeon: (1) regularly performs reconstructive surgery to correct all forms of pelvic prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, etc) (2) have approved training in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (3) have formal training in aesthetic and vaginal surgery. Many surgeons are not as prepared to personally correct all forms of prolapse, while providing aesthetic and functional vaginal surgery. In general, patients should look for surgeons who have considerable training in reconstructive surgery. Dr. Safir completed a six-year residency in urology, completed two year-long fellowships in reconstructive genito-urinary surgery and completed specialized training in aesthetic vaginal surgery.

What types of patients pursue Functional and Aesthetic Surgery?
Dr. Safir performs a considerable number of operations for pelvic prolapse in women who have experienced vaginal delivery. Some women seek out surgery that is done at the same time to restore normal vaginal diameter and normal vaginal axis. Still other women, particularly those who've undergone episiotomy or difficulty delivery, seek restoration of the perineum, the area of skin and muscle behind the vagina and in front of the anus.

Other patients seek out care to provide a certain appearance of the labia minora and labia majora when there is lack of symmetry or exaggerated size. Such women report embarrassment over the appearance of their external genitalia or have discomfort from the labia when performing exercise or wearing certain types of clothing.

Why do I hear so much about laser vaginal surgery?
Dr. Safir believes that surgical outcomes are more dependent on the surgeon than the surgery. He currently uses three lasers in his active surgical practice and believes it is most important to use the best tools that are available for each discrete procedure. As such, after assessing laser technology as a tool for Functional and Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery, Dr. Safir has elected to employ a specialized radiosurgical device as a potentially more precise and less damaging method of performing the operation. We are aware that the general public considers operations performed with lasers as state-of-the-art and considers physicians who employ lasers as leaders in their field. Despite Dr. Safir's active use of lasers in other operations within his practice, he currently believes that performing radiosurgical vaginal and labial operations are preferred.

What is actually performed?
Surgical procedures are tailored to the patient's individual need, based upon the presence or absence of prolapse, the presence or absence of incontinence, and the individual body image or vaginal functional concerns of the patient.

Where are the procedures offered?
Patients who require repair of prolapse (cystocele, rectocele, enterocele, vaginal vault prolapse) or stress incontinence surgery (sling or TVT) undergo their procedures at a surgery center or hospital near Dr. Safir's practice in Beverly Hills or West Hills. Patients undergoing such surgery may elect to undergo Functional and Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery at the same time. Patients who are undergoing only Functional and Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery can undergo surgery at Dr. Safir's customized procedure room in West Hills or at Surgery Centers in Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley.

Does Dr. Safir perform reconstructive surgery in men?
Dr. Safir limits his reconstructive surgery to genito-urinary operations in women and men. He does not perform facial, breast or liposuction procedures (although he does know the best surgeons to perform those procedures). Some men are born with abnormalities of the penis that alter the appearance of the penis. This includes abnormalities such as hypospadius (the "hole" is not at the tip of the penis) or chordee (lifelong penile curvature). Other men acquire penile curvature (Peyronie’s Disease) and suffer from painful or difficult intercourse. Still other men have had penile trauma or failed penile enhancement surgery. Dr. Safir has fellowship training at UCSF in Traumatic Urology and Reconstructive Urology and has extensive experience in male genito-urinary reconstruction.

How much does surgery itself cost?
Please phone my coordinator, Erika, at 818-703-9500 to discuss the cost of the procedures. Some components of the procedure may be covered by insurance. The cost of the procedure will be lowest if performed within Dr. Safir's Procedure suite, as there is no fee for an anesthesiologist. Patients requesting surgery under general anesthesia may undergo surgery at premium surgery centers in Beverly Hills or the San Fernando Valley.

Does insurance cover the operations?
Repair of pelvic prolapse is usually covered by most health plans, subject to your individual agreement with your insurer. Functional & Aesthetic Vaginal Surgery is not covered by health plans.

Is financing available?
Yes. Please phone or e-mail our office at 818-703-9500 or contact us using our online form. For more information on cosmetic surgery financing, please visit: www.cosmeticredit.com & www.carecredit.com.

Why Dr. Safir?
Dr. Safir is one of a handful of surgeons in the nation with supreme training and experience in vaginal reconstructive surgery for aesthetics and prolapse. He has trained with the nation's leaders in reconstructive pelvic surgery and has served as Section Chief and Assistant Professor of Reconstructive and Female Urology at New York Medical College and has been a Clinical Instructor in Urology at UCLA and UCSF Medical Schools.

How do I schedule a consultation?
Please phone us at 888-DRSAFIR or 818-703-9500. You can also contact us using our online form.

What is the cost of a consultation?
The initial consultation is $250 and will be deducted from the cost of surgery. During this visit, you will receive a personal interview with Dr. Safir and will be asked questions about your medical history. Dr. Safir will discuss the surgery in-depth and will review the risks and expected benefits of the procedure. You will have the opportunity to ask and have answers to your questions. You will undergo an examination in the presence of a female staff member.

Additional Information
To catch up with Dr. Safir's latest, visit his blog at: vaginalrestoration.blogspot.com.

Southern California Center for Advanced Urology serves greater Los Angeles, California including the areas of Beverly Hills, West Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Camarillo, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Winnetka, Northridge, Tarzana, Porter Ranch, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Reseda, Topanga, Agoura Hills, Woodland Hills, Valencia, Granada Hills, Encino, Van Nuys, Stevenson Ranch, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Pasadena, Burbank, Moorpark, Mission Hills, Sherman Oaks, Santa Clarita, Sylmar Pacoima, Santa Monica, Venice, Beverly Hills, Beverlywood, Westwood, Brentwood, Studio City and Hollywood.