Weight gain and obesity can lead to several different problems in terms of both your physical health and your overall body image. One issue that you may find yourself worrying about — even after you’ve lost weight — is called FUPA. The acronym FUPA stands for “fatty upper pubic area.”
In some instances, FUPA can both cause physical problems and negatively impact your self-esteem.
What Causes FUPA?
When you gain weight, fat can collect all over your body. This includes the region above your pubic area, technically called the mons pubis. It’s a prominent cushion that protects your pubic bones and produces your pubic hair.
If you have a vulva, the tissue on both sides — called the labia majora — can become fatty. Even once you’ve lost weight, FUPA-related problems can persist, and new ones could develop. If you’re obese, particularly in the category of type III obesity, or morbid obesity, losing large amounts of weight is great for your health. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always produce the type of body that you want.
Even after plenty of weight loss, the fat above your pubic area is likely to remain intact. Plus, losing more than 100 pounds — an impressive accomplishment — often results in a lot of extra skin. This skin can hang down and cover your pubic region and upper thighs. This condition is called panniculus, and the flap of skin is called a pannus.
All of these problems are broadly related to the concept of FUPA. These issues both have similar symptoms and similar treatment solutions.
Buried penis
Excess weight gain or obesity can lead to something called a “buried penis,” where the tissues surrounding the penis are so large that they hide otherwise-normal genitals. A buried penis could also be the result of other problems — such as abnormal ligaments that are present at birth.
What Are the Symptoms of FUPA?
The exact symptoms of fat- and skin-based excesses in the genital region vary from person to person. They depend on factors such as your sex, size, and body type.
Physically, it’s easier to develop infections in moist areas with lots of fat folds. Repeated infections in your genital region aren’t good for your overall health. Even if you keep the area clean, you could still get rashes and sores where your skin rubs against itself.
Additional physical symptoms that can accompany panniculus in particular include:
- Difficulty cleaning the entire area of skin
- Problems walking — when the skin interferes with your stride
- Problems with other daily activities — such as ones that involve bending over
- Difficulty finding clothing that fits properly, since none are specifically designed with this particular excess in mind
Symptoms specific to a buried penis include:
- Difficulty peeing when standing up
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Difficulty getting an erection or pain when you do get an erection
Problems penetrating your partner
All of these symptoms can create serious psychological side effects, including low self-esteem. You could also find yourself avoiding situations, outfits, and other aspects of life that you would otherwise enjoy.
What’s the Best FUPA Treatment?
You and your doctor will need to work together to decide on the treatment option that’s best for you. Have your doctor or plastic surgeon clearly explain the outcomes and effects of each option in the context of your unique body.
Can weight loss get rid of FUPA?
Weight loss and exercise are an important first step to try to help get rid of FUPA. But even if you lose weight from exercise and a healthy diet, it doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to lose fat in specific spots. If you lose a lot of weight, it can also cause loose skin that can hang over your pubic area.
Therapy
If the symptoms are more psychological than physical, you could benefit from talking to a therapist. People of all ages, shapes, and sizes tend to worry about their physical appearance. Many people have at least a feature or two that they wish was just a bit different. Talking to a therapist can help you decide whether or not you’re seeking surgery for healthy reasons.
Pubic liposuction
This is a way to remove fatty tissue from your mons pubis. It’s useful when your skin is elastic enough to stretch back after the fat is removed. Otherwise, it may leave sags in the area. The surgeon makes small incisions, normally near the creases of your groin, and removes the fat through these. The surgery leaves little scarring behind. In women and those assigned female at birth, the surgeon also removes fat from the labia majora.
Monsplasty (Pubic lift)
This is a more common surgery than liposuction alone because it involves lifting your pubic skin along with fat removal. It’s usually done under general anesthesia. To lift your skin, the surgeon cuts a long, horizontal line across your pubic region and then moves up and tightens this skin. There may be a scar, but it can be covered by underwear. For the best results, the flap of skin should be attached to the muscle underneath, which will slow or prevent a descent. The results are permanent unless you gain or lose a lot of weight or become pregnant.
This is a surgery specifically designed to remove the flap of skin that’s left after you lose a lot of weight. Depending on the surgeon, the cuts could extend from underneath your breast bone to the top of your pubic bone and across the width of your stomach just above the pubic region. The surgeon removes the skin and any remaining fat within it. They then close up your remaining skin with stitches. This will leave large, visible scars that could take years to fully heal.
This surgery is commonly called a tummy tuck. It focuses more on your abdominal region but is commonly done at the same time as a panniculectomy, pubic lift, or regional liposuction. This surgery removes excess fat and tightens your abdominal muscles so they don’t protrude as far from your frame. Research shows that the procedure is very safe, with a decreasing rate of complications over the last few years. There are many different ways to perform this surgery, but all may create scars:
- Full tummy tuck. Your surgeon makes an incision in your lower abdomen above your pubic bone.
- Mini tummy tuck. It uses a much smaller incision between your belly button and lower abdomen to remove fat and tighten the excess skin below your belly button.
- Extended tummy tuck. Your surgeon makes an incision both along the front and back of your body so they can also remove excess fat and tighten your love handles and hips.
- Fleur-de-lis tummy tuck. Your surgeon makes two incisions: one up and down, and one side to side, to create a T shape. It’s usually done in people who have lost over 100 pounds.
Find a plastic surgeon that you trust to discuss the latest options. Then you can decide on the surgery — or combination of surgeries — that’s right for you.
What Does Post-Surgery Recovery Look Like?
You should keep the recovery details in mind when choosing the surgery that’s best for your needs.
Liposuction recovery time. Small-scale surgeries, such as pubic liposuction, will have faster recoveries and less long-term scarring than more in-depth surgeries. You’ll notice some bruising and swelling in the first couple of weeks. You’ll need to take a few days off of work and avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks. You may also not notice results right away, as you’ll still be swollen.
Pubic lift recovery. During the first couple of weeks, you may experience:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Minor discomfort
You’ll be able to return to work within a week or two. The bruising should resolve within 3 weeks, and the swelling by 6 weeks. You should avoid sex and strenuous physical activity (such as running) for about a month.
Panniculectomy recovery time. Most people are able to return to work within 2 weeks, although you won’t be able to exercise for a few more weeks after that. Immediately after your procedure, your surgeon will apply gauze to your incisions. They may also recommend an elastic bandage or compression garment to help reduce swelling. You won’t be able to fully notice (and appreciate) results for a few months, until swelling resolves. But as long as you don’t gain weight, the results should be permanent.
Abdominoplasty recovery. You may need to take up to a month off from work as you recover. Like a panniculectomy, you’ll have dressings applied to your incisions. You’ll also need to wear a compression garment. You may also have thin tubes placed under your skin temporarily to remove any excess blood or fluid. You won’t be able to stand upright for a week or two after your surgery. You also won’t be able to exercise for about 6 weeks. It may take several months for the swelling to subside enough for you to appreciate your new physique.
Talk to your doctor about these options so you can properly prepare for your recovery process.
What's the Prognosis for FUPA Surgeries?
Most people who opt to have these surgeries are pleased with the results. Just make sure to carefully consider your options beforehand, and be aware of the limits and recovery times that come with each type of surgery. After going through the hard work of weight loss, you deserve a treatment that will truly benefit your body.
Takeaways
When you gain weight, fat may accumulate all over your body, including your pubic area. It may persist, even if you shed pounds. There are many surgical approaches to help get rid of the extra fat, as well as any loose skin. Your doctor can work with you to help you find the treatment that’s best for you and your body.
FUPA FAQs
How do I get rid of FUPA?
Diet and exercise can help, but the best way to get rid of it is through surgery, whether it’s liposuction, a pubic lift, or even abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).
What is the difference between a FUPA and belly fat?
Belly fat is often visceral fat, which means it’s deep in your belly and surrounds your organs. FUPA is soft fat that builds up under your skin right above your pubic area. FUPA is less dangerous than visceral fat. It also can be removed through techniques such as liposuction, or even surgery.
Is having a FUPA normal?
It’s normal to have some fat in your pubic area, to protect your pubic bone. But you’re more likely to develop FUPA as you age, after pregnancy, or if you’ve gained and/or lost a lot of weight.
What should I do about my FUPA?
You don’t have to do anything about your FUPA if it doesn’t bother you. But if you find that it’s hard to clean the area, or you develop rashes or infections there, you may want to talk to your doctor about surgery.
What should a FUPA look like?
Your mons pubis itself is a rounded mass of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair. If you have FUPA, the fat itself is more pronounced. If you’ve lost weight, you may notice that skin hangs over the area.
Will my FUPA go away if I lose weight?
Weight loss may cause your FUPA to shrink. Your skin may still lose elasticity and sag.
How do you lose FUPA fast?
You generally can’t. Even if you have surgery, it can take weeks to months for swelling to go down and for noticeable results.
