While both conditions involve the accumulation of excess body fat, a FUPA is specifically located in the pubic area, whereas an apron belly affects a broader section of the lower abdomen. Apron belly can be caused by an excess of skin following significant weight loss, rather than fat.
A less-than-charming acronym, FUPA stands for fat upper pubic area and is also sometimes known as an apron belly or pooch. Doctors refer to the condition as a pannus stomach, but very few people outside the medical profession use this term.
Your mons pubis itself is a rounded mass of fatty tissue covered by skin and pubic hair. If you have FUPA, the fat itself is more pronounced. If you've lost weight, you may notice that skin hangs over the area.
An apron belly describes a specific distribution of fat or skin around the midsection that hangs over the lower abdomen, much like an apron does. A very common body shape, this type of belly can occur due to factors like genetics, significant weight loss or just the natural aging process.
However, it is impossible to spot-treat an apron belly because there are two layers of fat in your stomach. The only ways to reduce or remove your apron belly are through overall weight reduction and surgical and non-surgical options that include the following: Laser to remove some belly fat.
Plank with Hip Drops is an effective way to help reduce your hanging belly. This exercise works by strengthening the abdominal muscles, shrinking the waist area, and toning the obliques.
Grade 4: Pannus Extending to the Knees
At Grade 4, the apron belly hangs down to or near the knees. This grade severely limits mobility, making it difficult to walk, exercise, or engage in physical activities. The heavy pannus can cause lower back pain and place a strain on the spine.
If you have a belly with fat pockets or an area where fat gathers, CoolSculpting could work. Since it is not invasive, you can resume your daily lifestyle after your session. If it's mostly an apron belly with skin hanging down, a tummy tuck will likely offer better results.
Targeting the fatty pubic area through exercise can help reduce excess fat and strengthen the lower abdominal region. While exercise alone cannot target fat loss to specific body parts, a combination of cardiovascular exercises to burn fat and targeted strength training can improve the appearance of FUPA.
The cost ranges by what area of the country you're in, but expect to pay anywhere from $3,500 for a monsplasty to $6,500 when done as part of abdominoplasty surgery.
Lifestyle Factors: Sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all contribute to the development of a FUPA. These factors can lead to overall weight gain and fat accumulation in specific body areas.
FUPA is concentrated fat directly above the pubic bone, creating a small bulge, whereas an apron belly, also known as pannus, is a larger overhang of skin and fat that extends down from the lower abdomen, often covering the pubic area and even reaching the upper thighs in some cases.
A panniculectomy is surgery to remove excess hanging skin and fat, called a pannus or apron, from the lower belly. It's often done after a big weight loss when the stretched skin may hang over your genitals or extend to your thighs or beyond. Some doctors call it a lower abdomen lift.
If symptoms or physical difficulties continue after a large amount of weight loss that has remained stable for six months or if you have documents proving you tried to lose weight without success, you might also qualify for a panniculectomy.
Apron Belly Surgery
The only surefire way to get rid of a pannus stomach is through surgery. If your pannus stomach is having a negative impact on your life—affecting your mobility or leading to recurrent skin infections—your healthcare provider might recommend a panniculectomy .
Mint and coriander aid digestion, reduce bloating, and detoxify the body. To make this blend, add a handful each of fresh mint and coriander leaves with water. Strain and drink, mix it with honey and lemon juice. Drinking this juice can improve digestion and metabolism, promoting fat burning.
A tummy tuck, also known as an abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that can help to improve the appearance of a stomach overhang, or pannus. During a tummy tuck, excess skin and fat are removed from the lower abdomen, and the underlying muscles are tightened to create a firmer and flatter abdominal contour.
The national average cost* of a panniculectomy is $7,000, with a range between $5,393 and $13,618. The overall cost of the procedure can be impacted by the surgeon's experience, amount of skin removed, anesthesia type and clinic location.
Pannus stomach occurs when extra skin and fat deposits hang from the stomach or belly area on the abdomen. It sometimes occurs after pregnancy or weight changes. The excess tissue from a previous body shape can hang down, varying in length and size. The condition can cause a person to have emotional distress.
The key is to lower your overall body fat with moderate-intensity physical activity and a healthy diet; when you reduce your total body fat, you'll also be reducing your belly fat. So if you want to do abdominal exercises, make them part of your fitness routine.
You can't target belly fat with specific workouts, but getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, eating well, and prioritizing your sleep can help you lose weight overall — including from around your belly.