Do you struggle with unwanted fat in your pubic area? You’re not alone. The term “FUPA,” or “fat upper pubic area,” made headlines when Beyoncé name-dropped the condition after her pregnancy, but FUPAs have been affecting men and women forever. And while Queen Bey said she was enjoying her FUPA, we don’t all share her same love of ours. In this post, we explain what a FUPA is and how you can get rid of it.
What is a FUPA?
A FUPA is excess fat in the pubic area (clinically referred to as the “mons pubis”). Both men and women can struggle with a FUPA, but they are much more common among women, particularly those who have given birth. A FUPA can persist even after significant weight loss, making it exceptionally difficult to get rid of.
What causes a FUPA?
Hormones and genes are major contributors to a FUPA. Here’s why.
- Hormones. Too much estrogen can cause an increase in fat in the pubic area.
- Genes. Just like other physical traits can be inherited from one’s parents, so can a FUPA.
- Significant weight loss. If you’ve recently lost a massive amount of weight (50+ pounds), you may be left with extra skin in your pubic region.
FUPAs can worsen after a C-section
Women who give birth via cesarean section are often left with a layer of excess skin above their scar, commonly referred to as a “C-section pouch,” or “C-shelf.” This pouch is often puffy & saggy and can exacerbate the appearance of a FUPA.
A tummy tuck is most often used to address an unwanted C-shelf by removing the excess skin protruding above the scar and tightening and smoothing the abdominal skin. While tummy tuck surgery does leave a longer scar than a C-section, this scar is typically thinner and flatter. We’ll discuss how a mons lift/reduction during a tummy tuck can treat a FUPA later on.
Is a FUPA unhealthy?
While some fat in the upper pubic area is completely healthy and natural, too much fat can obscure the genitals, making sex more difficult and less pleasurable, and place undue stress on the body. Some women are completely at peace with their FUPAs, but for others, this condition is embarrassing, uncomfortable, and inconvenient. Thankfully, the choice of whether to live with your FUPA or get rid of it is completely up to you.
What surgeries treat a FUPA?
If you do decide to treat your FUPA with plastic surgery, you have a few options.
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- Monsplasty: Monsplasty removes fat and/or skin from the pubic mound to reduce the projection, or “bulge,” of the pubic area. It is often performed as part of a tummy tuck to create a smooth transition from the abdomen to the genitals.
- Liposuction: This popular procedure uses a thin tube called a “cannula” to remove excess fat from under the skin. It can be used as a standalone treatment to remove fat in the mons pubis, or included in a body lifting procedure.
- Tummy tuck: Also known as abdominoplasty, this procedure removes excess fat and skin and tightens weakened stomach muscles. At Basu Aesthetics + Plastic Surgery, we also offer a Plus-Size Tummy Tuck for patients with a BMI between 30-40 who want to address their FUPA. It is very common for Dr. Basu to perform a monsplasty during a tummy tuck procedure.
- Body lift: If you’ve recently lost significant weight through diet and exercise or bariatric surgery, you likely have some extra skin, cellulite, and stubborn fat left over. A body lift can often address a FUPA by removing excess skin and fat in the lower body, including the pubic area, abdomen, buttocks, waist, hips, and thighs.
- BodyTite: Also known as “energy-assisted liposuction,” BodyTite uses a handheld radiofrequency device to heat and destroy fat cells beneath the skin. BodyTite is also effective at tightening loose skin, making it one of the most popular body contouring treatments.
Are there non-surgical treatments for a FUPA?
While surgery is typically the best way to eliminate a FUPA, non-surgical procedures such as CoolSculpting and BodyTite can also reduce extra fat and skin in the pubic area.
- CoolSculpting: Instead of liposuction, CoolSculpting uses a process called “cryolipolysis” to freeze stubborn fat cells. Your body then eliminates the treated fat cells over time, imitating natural weight loss. Multiple treatments are usually required, but the procedure has zero downtime.
Get rid of your FUPA with Dr. Basu
Dr. Bob Basu has been helping men and women achieve their body contouring goals in the Houston area for over 20 years. To learn how he can help you get rid of your FUPA, schedule a consultation online or call (713) 799-2278.
Now offering non-surgical treatments at our Galleria/Uptown Houston location.
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