Hymenoplasty
Day 11 after hymenoplasty: the 90-degree rule when sitting
Day 11 · permanent hymenoplasty, flap technique
The rule that the hip angle must not go beyond 90 degrees is mostly mentioned together with stairs and running. Yet the same angle also increases when sitting: sinking into a low sofa or pulling the knee up when getting into a car are examples.
The rule applies for the first 15 days; on day eleven you are still within this period. This page goes through the sitting situations of the day one by one.
How does the angle increase when sitting?
The hip angle is the angle between the thigh and the torso. The lower the seat, the higher your knees are above your hips and the closer the thigh comes to the torso; the angle then goes beyond 90 degrees.
Leaning forward has the same result, because this time the torso comes closer to the thigh.
So when sitting, two things matter: the height of the seat and the posture of the torso.
Low armchairs and sofas
A soft, low sofa pulls you in; the knees rise and the torso folds forward. Avoid this kind of sitting for the first 15 days. If you can choose where to sit, prefer a high, firm seat.
If you are offered a low armchair when visiting someone or in a waiting room, you can ask for a higher seat; you do not have to explain why.
Getting into a car
Car seats are usually low, and the knee rises when you get in. When bringing your leg inside, take care not to pull your knee towards your abdomen; if the seat is adjustable, raise it. Your doctor will tell you specifically what to do for a long journey.
An ordinary chair
Sitting upright on a standard chair brings the hip angle to roughly 90 degrees; that is, not above the limit but right at it. Whether this way of sitting is allowed cannot be settled on this page; your doctor will tell you specifically.
Until you get an answer, you can take care not to lean forward when sitting at a table.
Also take care not to fold your torso forward when sitting down on a chair and getting up; the angle can increase during these transitions too.
Do today
- Look at the height of the seat before you sit down.
- Choose a high, firm seat.
- Do not rush when getting into a car; settle in without pulling your knee to your abdomen.
- Ask your doctor about sitting on a chair.
Avoid today
- Do not sink into a low sofa or a floor cushion.
- Do not fold forward when sitting.
- Do not sit with your knees pulled up to your abdomen.
Call us if
- If there is an ongoing discharge that smells different, is yellow or that you cannot identify, see your doctor.
- If something happens after sitting down or getting up that leaves you unsure, call the clinic.
Frequently asked questions
How should I sit after hymenoplasty?
For the first 15 days, the hip angle should not go beyond 90 degrees. When sitting, this means a posture in which the knees are not above the hips and the torso does not fold forward. Low, soft armchairs increase the angle. Ask your doctor whether sitting on an ordinary chair is suitable for you.
Can I get into a car after hymenoplasty?
Daily life carries on from the moment you leave the clinic, and getting into a car is part of it. The point to watch is that the knee does not come closer than 90 degrees to the torso when getting in and sitting. Long journeys need a separate assessment; consult your doctor about this.
Why is sitting on a low armchair a problem after the procedure?
On a low armchair the knees rise above the level of the hips and the thigh comes closer to the torso. This takes the hip angle beyond 90 degrees; the doctor asks that this limit not be exceeded for the first 15 days. The rule applies to running and stairs for the same reason. If the period is different for you, what your doctor said is what counts.
This page is for general information only; it does not replace an examination or your doctor's advice. Some patients may need additional restrictions. The durations and rules your doctor gives you always take priority over those on this page.
References
- A new surgical technique of hymenoplasty. Wei SY, et al. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 2015.
- Hymenoplasty and Muslim Patients: Islamic Ethico-Legal Perspectives. Bawany MH, et al. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2017.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus, Obstetrician & Gynecologist · Last medical review: