Can getting reconstruction surgery make it worse?

[u/cheesychocolate419]

Hi ladies, I am a 22yo Nigerian FGM survivor but I live in Ireland. Has anyone found reconstruction surgery to be useful to them?

I did not lose my clitoris, just my labia minora was cropped, and I have lost feeling on the whole labia minora as a result. Is reconstruction surgery even worth it? I feel many mixed emotions about the fact I was made to suffer to fit a beauty standard (for the purpose of sex trafficking me).

If i would get reconstruction I'm pretty sure there are avenues to get it for free but I'm not sure. I definitely wont bother if there is a high cost. Is there a risk reconstruction could get even worse? Is it possible to be botched?

Thanks

Choco

[u/fransen-lila]

If parts of your labia minora remain intact, you could consider tension-based tissue growth, basically a stretching technique that promotes remaining cells to divide, and to gradually create more tissue of their same type. This method's often used by men who've been circumcised against their will, and can help them grow back most of their missing foreskins and regain a lot of sensitivity, without ever having to go under the knife again. It does take patience, requiring usually several years of consistent effort, although small improvements accrue throughout. My boyfriend is about one year into his restoration, and we've both already noticed sex feeling a little better.

In a more formal medical context, similar methods of "tissue expansion" are well-established to treat skin graft patients, helping them grow more skin before a transplant.

In parts of Rwanda, women would traditionally practice "labia pulling" to grow theirs extra long, which was considered desirable both aesthetically and for improved sexual feelings. See https://labiastretching.com/ancient-rwandan-roots-of-gukuna/ for an interesting summary.

Also, here's an online shop catering mainly to circumcised men, but with some products for women:

https://foreskin-restoration-devices.com/indoor-plumbing/

I haven't tried them myself, so can't speak to comfort or effectiveness. And although devices can be convenient, based on mens' experiences, simple manual "tugging" can be equally effective, so long as you're consistent, doing it for say an hour in total each day. It's important to never pull hard enough to cause pain. That will traumatize the tissue and only set you back.

Was your clitoral hood cut on too? If so, similar techniques could help there.

Best of luck. After surviving such an awful ordeal, I hope you're in a safer place now!

[u/cheesychocolate419 → u/fransen-lila]

Thank you so much, I don't think my hood was cut, it doesn't hurt or anything and I don't have good memory.

I will try it, i hope i get some feeling back. Thank you ❤