Monsplasty and How to Get Rid of the Fupa
Fupa stands for fat upper pubic area (okay, so there’s a more r-rated version of the acronym, but this is what we’re sticking with). It’s often confused with a pannus, which is that apron-like overhang of skin on the lower abdomen. But fupa actually refers to the mons, which is the fatty area right over the pubic bone. Some amount of fat is normal to provide padding. But when there is more fat than matches the contour of the rest of the body, this area can become noticeable, especially in fitted clothing like leggings. Today we’re going to explain what causes a fupa, as well as the different treatment options.
Why is My Fupa Getting Bigger?
The pubic mons becomes more prominent with weight gain. The skin can also stretch out with age and with pregnancy, causing the area to become droopy (ptotic).
Will the Mons Pubis Get Smaller with Weight Loss?
The short answer is sometimes. Because a prominent mons pubis, aka fupa, can be caused by both weight gain and excess skin, both issues need to be addressed. This is done with a monsplasty. If you have lost a significant amount of weight (think 80 or 100 pounds), your skeleton will have actually remodeled to accommodate the extra weight. This can result in a prominent pubic bone, meaning monsplasty isn’t going to result in a full correction.
What is a Monsplasty and How is it Done?
Monsplasty is a procedure that removes excess skin and fatty tissue. It is done through a combination of liposuction and skin excision. Liposuction alone may be sufficient if there is minimal skin laxity.
Is Monsplasty Part of a Tummy Tuck?
It should be, but unfortunately it’s not always. When Dr. Greer performs a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) surgery, she makes the incision just above the pubic hair line to lift the mons, and performs liposuction to flatten it. But not all surgeons do this, so be sure to ask your surgeon during the consultation if they address the mons as part of a tummy tuck.
What is the Recovery Like After Monsplasty?
If you have monsplasty as part of abdominoplasty surgery, you’ll likely need a week to ten days off work. Recovery for just the mons alone is definitely easier, but it will still be four weeks until you can get back to doing cardio or lifting weights. Right after the surgery you’ll have quite a bit of swelling and bruising. This tends to drift down with gravity, so you may see bruising on your thighs or swelling over the vulva.
How Much Does a Monsplasty Cost?
The cost ranges by what area of the country you’re in, but expect to pay anywhere from $3,500 for a monsplasty to $6,500 when done as part of abdominoplasty surgery. This is for the surgeon’s fee; you may have additional cost for the facility and anesthesia.
How Can I Get Rid of My Mons Pubis Without Surgery?
If your main issue is excess fatty tissue, CoolSculpting is an effective option to flatten the mons. But this will not address excess skin, so if that’s a concern, you may need a surgical correction.
