FUPA is a popular acronym that stands for fat in the upper pubic area. Doctors and medical professionals refer to this as a pannus stomach, but the urban dictionary is more likely to point you to the term FUPA or pooch. Both women and men can develop a FUPA, but the condition is much more common in women, particularly in those nearing menopause. Unfortunately, a FUPA can be quite pronounced, and many find the condition embarrassing despite the fact that it’s quite common and natural. Here’s what you need to know about getting rid of this unwanted fat pocket.
What is FUPA?
A FUPA is simply a pocket of fat that sits just above your pubic area. Although it can appear if you’re carrying a few extra pounds, it’s more often the result of the hormonal changes caused by menopause or damage caused to the abdominal muscles during pregnancy. A FUPA can also form if you lose a large amount of weight, but in this case, the bulge is typically the result of stretched excess skin rather than fat.
What Does a FUPA Look Like?
A FUPA may be a protruding mound of fat that sticks out above the pubic area. If the FUPA is large, it can hang down in front of the stomach and create the appearance of an apron. This look is very common in people who have lost a significant amount of weight and now have loose skin hanging from their bellies. Like people, FUPAs can come in various shapes and sizes.
Can FUPA Ever Go Away?
How you get rid of a FUPA depends largely on how you got it. If yours is the result of extra weight, getting rid of the weight can mean getting rid of the FUPA. Belly fat is notoriously difficult to get rid of, however, so you may struggle to eliminate your FUPA even if you’re able to lose weight overall.
A FUPA caused by pregnancy or c-section damage requires surgical intervention, as does one caused by menopause. Hormone replacement therapy may ease the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, but it won’t undo all of the changes menopause has already made to your body. A FUPA comprised of extra skin after weight loss will also require surgical removal. Unfortunately, diet and exercise simply won’t contract stretched skin.
Why is FUPA So Hard to Get Rid Of?
FUPAs are made of excess fat, and you get rid of excess fat by losing weight. Unfortunately, targeted weight loss isn’t something you can achieve — you can lose weight, but you can’t tell your body exactly where to shed extra pounds from. Age and genetics can play a role in where and how you store fat, as well, making some people more inclined to hold weight in their abdomen even as they slim down.
As mentioned above, pregnancy can also damage or weaken the abdominal muscles, allowing stomach fat to protrude and cause a FUPA. These muscles can’t repair themselves, which means you won’t lose your FUPA without help. The same holds for menopause, as previously discussed. The hormonal shifts of menopause not only encourage your body to store more fat in your abdomen but also allow fat from your hips and buttocks to migrate forward toward your stomach. As we all learn during puberty, you can’t simply will your hormones to do something different.
How Do You Get Rid of FUPA Naturally?
If you wish to try to get rid of your FUPA naturally, we fully support the endeavor. To do so, shift to a healthy diet free of added sugars and opt for foods high in protein but low in fat. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy options are all good choices.
You’ll also need to try and target your FUPA with abdominal exercises. Scissor kicks, high knees, reverse crunches, bicycle crunches, and mountain climbers can all help. You may want to consider working with a personal trainer, at least for a time, until you learn what exercises are best and how to properly execute them.
Can You Get Rid of FUPA and Love Handles at the Same Time?
You may require only liposuction to get rid of a small FUPA, or you can count on a tummy tuck if you’ve got more extensive issues or require abdominal wall repair. Other options are also available, however, and can prove quite beneficial if you have more than one cosmetic issue to address.
If you have love handles or extra back fat in addition to your FUPA, consider a lipo 360 procedure. Lipo 360 can remove a small FUPA as well as shape the rest of your midsection for a more sculpted look all the way around. Your surgeon can also combine lipo 360 with a tummy tuck for a toned look from any angle.
A mommy makeover is another possibility. There is no standard mommy makeover. This surgery is fully customizable and combines whatever combination of surgical procedures you want as long as it is safe to do so. Your mommy makeover can include a tummy tuck and a breast augmentation, or you can combine a tummy tuck, lipo 360, and a breast lift. Together, you and your surgeon can craft a single surgery that addresses your FUPA as well as any other concerns you may have.