A FUPA (Fatty Upper Pubic Area) is completely normal – it’s something that a lot of women have regardless of their size, particularly after giving birth. Referring to the space between your genitals and lower abdomen, FUPA is when the upper pubic area becomes enlarged due to fat deposits or loose skin. 

Despite being a normal and harmless part of the body, many people feel incredibly self-conscious about having a FUPA, choosing to avoid swimwear and cover up more. If you do feel self-conscious and want to reduce the appearance of a FUPA, VASER liposuction could be helpful for you.

Who can get FUPA, and what causes it?

FUPA is most commonly associated with women, particularly those who have given birth, thanks to Beyonce discussing her personal body image struggles after having a child and namedropping the issue. Despite this, both men and women can develop FUPA.

Your DNA has a lot to do with your likelihood of developing FUPA – some people are simply predisposed to storing more fat than others. However, this isn’t the only cause. 

Surprisingly, losing a large amount of weight can actually cause FUPA to develop. It’s often the case that it’s more difficult to lose weight in the pelvic area. However, losing weight can leave you with loose skin, further exacerbating the issue.

Excess oestrogen can also cause FUPA to develop, increasing the amount of fat stored in the pelvic region. The fluctuation in hormones that are associated with pregnancy can cause this spike in oestrogen and an increase in fat stored in the area. FUPA is also often worse in women who have had a caesarian section, as they’re often left with a layer of excess skin in the lower stomach.

Developing FUPA can also occur naturally with age. As we get older, it’s normal for our skin to lose elasticity. When this happens, the skin can begin to loosen, pushing natural fat deposits into a more concentrated area.

Excess fat in the upper pubic region isn’t harmful, as long as you follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Still, it can be frustrating as this region doesn’t often respond to exercise and weight loss.

Can liposuction be used on FUPA?

VASER liposuction is a powerful tool that’s used to remove unwanted areas of stubborn fat. It’s a minor surgical procedure that uses targeted ultrasound technology to selectively remove fat. VASER is powerful enough to tackle large areas of fat, but it’s also delicate enough to tackle more sensitive areas. This makes it ideal for treating FUPA.

Before the procedure takes place, you will have multiple consultations with the practitioner. They will assess the treatment area, discuss any concerns that you have, address any nerves and ensure that your chosen procedure is the most suitable option for you. 

Liposuction takes place in a minor surgical theatre and can take anywhere from one to three hours. The ultrasound is targeted on the treatment area using a wand. This liquefies the fat, which can then be removed through aspiration. 

Are there any associated risks?

Like any medical procedure, nothing is risk-free. Having said that, VASER liposuction is a more modern form of the decades-old treatment. VASER is a minimally invasive and very safe procedure with few side effects.

Patients will feel some discomfort in the first few days of recovery, and some people will experience a dull ache for a few weeks after the treatment. There may be some bruising and swelling in the treatment area – these will usually fade in a few weeks. It is vital to wear the compression garment provided by your surgeon to help the swelling subside quickly. 

Will VASER liposuction fix FUPA Forever?

VASER liposuction is a permanent procedure, within reason. The results of the procedure will last so long as you maintain a similar physique to the time that you had the procedure, but the risk factors that caused you to develop FUPA originally could cause it to return.

If you get pregnant, experience a spike in hormones, or lose a large amount of weight in a short space of time then your FUPA could return. It also becomes a more prevalent issue as you age naturally due to your skin losing elasticity. You should also ensure that you follow aftercare instructions carefully to get the best and most long-lasting results.

The short answer is that VASER liposuction may not fix FUPA forever, but it can fix it for the long term, and the longevity of the treatment depends on your lifestyle and choices going forward.

Is VASER liposuction right for me?

VASER liposuction is a highly versatile treatment that works well for many patients, even those who may have been considered unsuitable for traditional liposuction. 

Booking a consultation with Dr Comins is the best way to decide if this is the right treatment for you. Not only will Dr Comins address any questions or concerns you have, but he will be able to examine the treatment area and determine if VASER is the correct course of treatment for you and recommend other options to consider if not.