Though it has been around for decades, the vaginoplasty procedure did not become mainstream until around the year 2000. Since then, it has increased dramatically – up 49 percent in 2014 alone. But while women undergo vaginoplasties for many different reasons, one new motivation that’s gaining traction may surprise you.
“Vaginoplasties are very common among women who have given birth vaginally and are unhappy with the changes that delivery has made to their body, but lately we are seeing an increase in patients who want a vaginoplasty to look better in leggings and yoga pants,” says Dr. Bruce Chau, a plastic surgeon in Berkley, Michigan.
That’s because the tight, fitted style of these pants was designed to both enable flexibility during exercise and to accentuate the shape of the body.
“Many patients work hard on their physique through diet and exercise, but they may still feel insecure about the way their body looks, especially in an area that cannot be changed with exercise,” says Chau.
Unfortunately, tight-fitting clothing may simply draw attention to insecurities, or at least make the wearer feel as though they are being scrutinized.
“Whether you’re insecure about your vagina or about your breast or nose size, if you’re uncomfortable in your own skin, it can feel like everyone is looking at that area even if they’re not,” says Chau. “But that’s the point of plastic surgery. If you’re unhappy about the way you look, you should be able to change it. What matters is that you’re happy with yourself. Life is too short to let your insecurities hold you back.”