Treating Excess Fat In The Pubic Area (FUPA)
The slang term “FUPA” stands for Fatty Upper Pubic Area. Medically, this area of fatty tissue in the lower abdomen beneath the navel is known as the panniculus or pannus. Excess fat and lax skin can sometimes cause this area to hang over the pubis or genital area. While not being unhealthy to one’s health, FUPA can hinder the normal aesthetics of the lower abdomen and pubic area.
Unfortunately, for many women excess fat around the pubic area is highly resistant to diet and exercise. There are, however, several surgical and non-surgical cosmetic treatments that can safely and effectively address FUPA of any severity.
What Causes FUPA?
Excess fat in the lower abdomen and mons pubis is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Primarily, it’s our genes that dictate where the body stores fat. Women in particular have a tendency to carry fat in the lower abdomen and around the hips.
In addition, the following may contribute to excess fat in the upper pubic area.
Hormonal Changes:
Changes in hormones can occur with menopause or prolonged periods of stress and may trigger weight gain in the lower belly and the pubic mound.
Aging:
As we get older, we tend to lose lean muscle and gain more fat. Skin laxity also increases with age, which contributes to sagging.
Weight Loss:
Pregnancy or weight gain can lead to skin laxity, which isn’t always recovered after childbirth or weight loss. Pregnancy may also weaken the muscles of the lower abdomen.
How to Prevent a FUPA
If you are overweight, losing weight and toning the lower abdomen can help reduce the size of your FUPA.
Healthy Eating:
Eating healthy, whole foods in moderation is the single most impactful thing you can do to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. A nutritionist can help you achieve your weight loss goals with a nourishing, low-calorie meal plan.
Exercise:
Strength training builds muscle which improves tone and increases metabolism, contributing to fat loss. A specialist in physical fitness can teach you exercises to strengthen and tone the lower abdomen.
FUPA Treatment Options
Losing weight is a great way to decrease the size of FUPA. Individuals hoping to reduce FUPA should consult their physician to start a wholistic diet and exercise program to reduce their body fat.
However, it’s not always possible to target specific, small area of the body like the pubic area with exercise and diet alone. Thus, losing total body fat can reduce FUPA but will not address the area in proportion to other body areas. Additionally, FUPA tends to be pretty resistant to diet and exercise, making it pretty difficult to address without cosmetic intervention. If you’re at a healthy weight, but still struggling to eliminate excess fat in the pubic area, it may be time to consider cosmetic treatment.
There are several non-surgical and surgical cosmetic treatments available to address a FUPA. The ideal treatment for each person will depend upon several individual characteristics including the amount of fat or excess skin in the area, skin elasticity, tolerance for downtime, and desired end results.
CoolSculpting:
CoolSculpting, otherwise known as cryolipolysis, is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment that uses a freezing process to eliminate fat cells. Typically, several treatments are necessary before final results are achieved. CoolSculpting is best for those with taught skin seeking to remove a minimal amount of fat. Since CoolSculpting is non-surgical, the procedure involves little to no pain, no anesthesia, and no downtime (recovery time).
Pubic Liposuction:
Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgery which can sometimes be performed under local anesthesia, reducing downtime. Fat is removed from the pubic area using suction, which requires minimal, small incisions.
Pubic liposuction does not tighten the skin, thus is best for those with taught skin seeking minimal to moderate fat removal.
Monsplasty:
Monsplasty surgery removes both excess fat and skin from the pubic mound. This surgery is more invasive than the above options but addresses both skin laxity and fatty tissue removal. The removal of excess skin addresses a mons that hangs below the genitals.
Monsplasty is a good option for those with a protruding FUPA yet otherwise slim lower abdominal area.
Panniculectomy Surgery:
A panniculectomy removes fatty tissue and loose skin in the lower abdominal area below the navel. This procedure differs from a tummy tuck in that it does not address the underlying muscle.
A panniculectomy is typically done for those who have lost a considerable amount of weight resulting in loose, excess skin.
Mini Tummy Tuck:
A mini tummy tuck is similar to a panniculectomy but includes tightening the abdominal wall below the navel. This procedure is often recommended for those with abdominal laxity due to pregnancy or long-term obesity.
Full Tummy Tuck:
A full tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) addresses excess fat, loose skin and abdominal laxity from the pubic area all the way to the sternum. This invasive treatment is most successful for those who are at their ideal body weight, yet with skin or a pannus that hangs below the navel.
The above cosmetic treatment options are often done in combination. Depending on your unique circumstances, your doctor may combine liposuction with a monsplasty procedure. A consultation with a board-certified cosmetic surgeon can help you understand which treatment is best suited to help you meet your goals.
Dr. Malini Fowler is a Board Certified Dermatologist that completed her undergraduate studies and graduated summa cum laude from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Dr. Fowler enjoys providing medical, cosmetic and surgical dermatology at our new San Antonio office.
Where can I see you for this treatment?
Hi Monica,
We provide this treatment at any location that provides liposuction, throughput Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. You can see a list of locations here: https://www.westlakedermatology.com/cosmetic-procedures/plastic-surgery/liposuction-austin-tx/.
Please give us a call at 512-328-3376 to setup a consultation!
Thanks,
WD Staff