Mons Pubis Reduction: Can Liposuction or Tummy Tuck Help? (Updated Oct. 2023)

This is definitely a “below the belt” discussion. The mons pubis, a section of tissue that rests on top of the pubic bone, becomes a bother as it becomes enlarged with fat and accumulates sagging skin. The solution is a little-known procedure called a monsplasty or mons pubis reduction surgery that is often performed along with a tummy tuck.

I often see patients who don’t realize what is causing their concerns and how it can be fixed. In this post, I’ll discuss what causes the area to become enlarged, what we can do about it, and other considerations you should know. Read on to learn more.

Protruding and Sagging: The ‘Bikini Mound’

Protruding and sagging are the main complaints we hear from patients interested in monsplasty. A patient will express concern about excess fat over the mons, which causes the area to protrude. Women often complain that it affects the type of clothing they wear because of a visible bulge in form-fitting garments, bathing suits, and even underwear.

It is also not the most responsive area to fat loss through diet and exercise.

Why Is My Mons Pubis So Large?

  • Excess fat: An enlarged mons pubis area may be due to simple weight gain, hormonal factors, and even genetic disposition.
  • Weight loss: Weight loss (extreme or otherwise) may also contribute. The loss of fat may leave loose and sagging skin.
  • Surgery: Many women who have had C-sections to deliver their children note that following the surgery, the pubic area appears to “stick out” more. The remaining scar may accentuate the problem. The C-section scar itself remains tight to the underlying fascia, while the skin and surrounding tissue below the scar line (over the pubic bone) do not.
  • Skin laxity: Elasticity of the skin is also a factor. Looser skin may be part of your genetic makeup, a byproduct of pregnancy or weight loss, or a natural result of aging.

The good news in this discussion is that the problem is not normally a medical or health concern. That doesn’t mean it isn’t troubling—and real.

How Do You Get Rid of Mons Pubis Fat?

There are a couple of approaches, including liposuction on its own or a combination of liposuction with another surgery, monsplasty or mons pubis reduction.

1. Monsplasty (Mons Reduction Surgery)

This surgery reduces and removes loose, hanging skin in the mons region. Depending on the individual case, there will be some scarring, either vertical, horizontal, or in some instances, both. A mons reduction surgery, often called a pubic lift, can be performed along with liposuction of the area.

Monsplasty produces more scarring than liposuction. While it is possible to perform a mons reduction at the same time as a tummy tuck and liposuction, it’s best to take your doctor’s advice on this before insisting on having it done all at once. It might be better in some cases, in terms of healing time and risk of infection, to have these procedures done in separate stages.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons offers additional information about the monsplasty procedure, recovery, and results.

2. Liposuction

Liposuction alone is frequently used to remove excess fat in the mons pubis and often will produce the patient’s desired result. Liposuction of this additional area can be performed at the same time as a tummy tuck, as well as liposuction of other areas, if the patient wishes.

However, while producing minimal scarring, the liposuction surgical procedure may not resolve the issue. Remember, it’s fat removal and some residual skin tightening. If your skin and tissue are loose and hanging, liposuction will not address those factors, and once the fat is removed, it may even cause the loose, hanging skin to be more noticeable.

Does a Tummy Tuck Lift the Mons Pubis?

Unfortunately, no. As we discuss in this related blog post, tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) tightens the skin and muscle of the abdomen, not necessarily the suprapubic region.

Very often, liposuction is performed along with a tummy tuck. If you’re having a tummy tuck with liposuction, you and your plastic surgeon will decide, prior to surgery, which areas will be liposuctioned (stomach, flanks, buttocks, etc.).

What often happens is a patient will not notice the excess fat in the pubic region until seeing the results of the tummy tuck. Your doctor will usually tell you ahead of time that this may become a concern. (The last thing your doctor wants is for you to come back after the beautiful results of your tummy tuck and then say: “But what’s this?”)

During your consultations, you should discuss your concerns about what lies beyond the bounds of the tummy tuck.

Can You Include Monsplasty in a Mommy Makeover?

In many cases, yes. A mommy makeover typically combines cosmetic procedures to address the physical changes experienced after pregnancy and childbirth. While the most commonly included procedures are breast augmentation, breast lift, tummy tuck, and liposuction, a monsplasty (or pubic lift) can also be incorporated based on individual needs. Including a pubic lift can help some women achieve a more streamlined silhouette and alleviate discomfort or self-consciousness about excess skin or fat in the pubic region. As with any combination of surgical procedures, it’s essential to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss goals, risks, and expected outcomes.

Do Men Ever Get a Fat Upper Pubic Area?

Yes, men can indeed develop a fat upper pubic area. Just as with women, this accumulation of fat is located above the pubic bone. The prominence of the pubic mound in men can be influenced by genetics, weight gain, aging, and hormonal changes. Some men may find that this area becomes more pronounced with weight fluctuations or as their skin loses elasticity over time. It can be a source of self-consciousness for some men, leading them to seek both surgical and nonsurgical treatments to address it. Whether due to aesthetic concerns or physical discomfort, men, like women, have options available to them if they wish to address this particular region of their body.

Is a Male Pubic Lift Different Than One for Women?

Although the fundamental goal of both procedures is to reduce and lift the mons pubis, a male pubic lift and a female pubic lift differ in several respects. The differences arise primarily due to the distinct anatomical structures and aesthetic goals of each gender. In females, a pubic lift might be performed with other procedures, such as a tummy tuck or labiaplasty, to address changes resulting from childbirth, weight fluctuations, or aging. The technique might focus on tightening the skin, removing excess fat, and possibly reshaping the labia.

For males, the procedure aims to elevate the sagging mons while taking care not to alter the penile angle or position adversely. Moreover, in men, a pubic lift might address issues like a concealed penis base due to excess skin or fat. Surgeons approach each procedure with a tailored technique to meet the specific needs and desires of the patient while considering the unique anatomical challenges presented by each patient.

At Reveal Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons have extensive experience in body contouring surgeries like liposuction. Please use our online form to request a consultation or call us at (408) 356-4241 with your questions. Cosmetic consultations are offered free of charge.

 

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