Today, we want to talk about something that many people deal with but do not normally discuss with anyone. You may be familiar with the term FUPA, and you may have even heard this term used online or in a fitness group. But what is FUPA? And what can you do about it?
This article will explain what FUPA is on a woman, what it looks like, how it is different from apron belly, and how to get rid of it.
What Is FUPA?
FUPA is an acronym that stands for Fat Upper Pubic Area and refers to the soft area of fat just above the pubic bone. Some people call it a pooch or a lower belly bulge, and it can affect both men and women, but it seems to affect more women than men.
A FUPA is not the same as an apron belly, but they both involve excess fat and loose skin. When comparing an apron belly vs. FUPA, an apron belly is skin and fat that starts just below the belly button and extends down to about 5” or 6” inches. A FUPA involves loose skin and fat that starts to accumulate just above the pubic bone and extends downward.
Where Is FUPA On A Woman?
A FUPA may be more noticeable on a woman after childbirth, significant weight gain, or even after certain surgeries like a C-section. It is more common than you may realize, and many women end up with this excess fold of skin right above their pubic area. If you are dealing with a FUPA, you are not alone, and it is nothing to be ashamed of, but if you are unhappy with how it looks, Dr. Angelina Postoev with IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa can help.
Dr. Angelina breaks it all down in simple terms in this video and explains this aesthetic concern and how to lose FUPA.
What Does a FUPA Look Like?
A FUPA can involve a small area, or it can be very large and look like a small poochy area or a bulge of fat that sits right above the groin area. It may be soft and jiggly, or it may feel firm, but in some cases, it can be seen when the person wears tight pants or leggings.
This patient has a very large FUPA, and you can watch Dr. Angelina remove it in the video above.
Apron Belly vs. FUPA
An apron belly consists of loose skin and excess fat and is not the same as a FUPA, but they are often easy to confuse. An apron belly is when fat and skin hang down over the lower stomach like an apron. It often becomes an issue after major weight loss or pregnancy. A FUPA is smaller and forms just above the pubic bone and does not normally hang down, but instead becomes poofy like a pillow.
How Do You Get Rid of FUPA?
Depending on how serious the case is, you may be able to get rid of FUPA by making changes to your lifestyle to eliminate some of this excess accumulation of fat.
Helpful FUPA Exercises
Exercising can help tone your lower abs and reduce the amount of fat you have on your body, which can also help reduce the look of a FUPA. This particular area of fat accumulation is fairly hard to target with exercise alone, so the goal is to focus on reducing your total body fat through a combination of diet and exercise.
Some exercises that can help reduce fat and tighten up this area include:
- Leg raises
- Planks
- Bicycle crunches
- Pelvic tilts
Cardio Workouts
Physical activity that gets your heart pumping helps to burn fat all over your body. Things like walking, swimming, biking, or dancing for at least 30 minutes a day can help reduce your body fat percentage and help you lose your FUPA gradually.
Healthy Eating
Losing weight and eliminating fat requires making permanent lifestyle changes, including modifications to what you eat and your portion sizes. It is essential to eliminate unhealthy foods from your diet that increase your calorie intake and do not provide any nutritional benefits. Some of the healthy eating goals you need to focus on include:
- Eating lean proteins
- Eating plenty of fruits and veggies
- Incorporating whole grains into your diet
- Drinking plenty of water
- Avoiding sugar and fried foods
- Avoiding fast food, processed food, and junk food.
- Watch your intake of sugar from beverages like sodas, juices, etc.
Cosmetic Solutions To Eliminate FUPA
Liposuction
If your FUPA is mild to moderate, it may be possible to get rid of it with liposuction. Fat that accumulates in this area can be stubborn, and sometimes it does not respond to diet or exercise. A cosmetic or plastic surgeon can use liposuction to remove the unwanted fat cells and return that area to a more normal size and appearance. The liposuction procedure is fairly easy and quick and involves the following steps:
- The surgeon makes a small cut in the skin near the FUPA area.
- A thin tube called a cannula is inserted and used to suction out the fat.
- The surgeon carefully removes fat to reshape and smooth out this area to make it more proportionate and natural-looking.
- Once completed, the tiny incision is closed and covered with a sterile dressing.
- Recovery is different for each person but usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks.
- Liposuction is a good option for mild FUPA if your skin is still fairly taut. If you have a good deal of loose skin, another procedure or surgery may be required to remove it.
FUPA Surgery
If exercise and diet do not work, and the issue cannot be corrected with liposuction, you may require FUPA surgery. This is called pubic lift surgery, or monsplasty, and involves the surgeon removing the excess fat and tightening the skin in that area during a surgical operation. It is an option for people who have tried everything else without success.
Where Can I Go To Get Help With FUPA?
If you are embarrassed by excess skin and fat that have accumulated in your nether regions and created a FUPA, you are not alone! This is a common condition, and today we have safe and effective options to eliminate it.
Dr. Angelina Postoev with IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa is a triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon with expertise in FUPA removal surgery. There is no reason to live with the limitations or embarrassment a FUPA can cause when there are safe, effective, state-of-the-art solutions available for treatment. Set up your consultation today to find out how a FUPA removal procedure can benefit you.
