What is a FUPA? FUPA, or a Fatty Upper Pubic Area, is amongst the most commonly sought-after reasons for cosmetic surgery. As the acronym describes, a FUPA is a collection of adipose tissue, or put, fat, located between the hip bones in the pubic region.
Childbirth, aging, rapid weight loss, and genetics may contribute to the formation of a FUPA. FUPA can affect both males and females and is often a significant point of contention. In females, the FUPA often becomes more apparent after a Caesarean section. This is due to a low set incision, commonly known as a Pfannenstiel incision, which anchors the skin and subcutaneous tissues down to the underlying muscle with scar tissue. This, in turn, creates a prominence of underlying fatty tissue in the pubic area. In males, this often happens simply due to the excess of fatty tissue in the pubic area. Either male or female, the FUPA sticks out of clothes and is quite unsightly for some.
FUPA Components
The common misconception is that the only issue at hand is fat, when in fact, a FUPA can involve excess fat, skin, or both! There are several non-surgical approaches to soften the overall appearance of the FUPA. These include riding, crunches, leg raises, rollups, superman pose, burpees, pelvic tilt, and classic Pilates moves, such as The Hundred- all of which address both the fat and skin.
One should not minimize the importance of a healthy lifestyle to lose lower abdominal fatty tissue! Create a cardio routine, be mindful of what you eat, de-stress with yoga and meditation.
Surgical Correction of FUPA
The goal of surgical correction of the FUPA is to create a gentle rather than a prominent convexity. The key to modification of a FUPA is to prevent a striking appearance, such as a concavity. These goals are achieved by understanding whether the issue at hand is related to skin redundancy or excess fat.
Excess fat may be addressed with liposuction of the FUPA, while redundant skin may be addressed with excision of the skin. FUPA skin excision is performed through a lower tummy tuck incision. An incision allows for resetting of the height of the pubic area, providing a pubic lift, and enhancing the overall appearance of the pubis.
Ideal pubic height ratios are based on the evaluation of supermodels; these distances extend from the inframammary crease to the belly button, the belly button to the upper groin, and the upper groin to the bottom of the genitals, as 44%, 38%, and 18% respectively.