Is an apron belly the same as a FUPA?

No. Although commonly confused, an apron belly and a FUPA aren’t the same. FUPA stands for fat upper pubic area or full upper pubic area. This refers to a deposit of fat sitting just above the pubic bone. An apron belly, however, is one that hangs in front of you. A FUPA is a localized fat deposit while an apron belly tends to be loose skin.

Can you get rid of an apron belly without surgery?

Unfortunately, no. Certain exercises target muscles while others help you burn fat, but there aren’t any exercises that eliminate loose skin. The only way to remove this skin is to cut it away surgically. Diet and exercise can do a great deal for your body, but they can’t eliminate hanging skin.

Why does an apron belly remain even after significant weight loss?

Not only will weight loss fail to eliminate an apron belly, it can cause it. Losing weight makes your body smaller, forcing your skin to retract in order to lie flat against your body. But skin that is stretched too far loses its elasticity and is unable to do that. The result is skin that is loose on the body or seems to hang off of it. Weight loss occurs when you lose bulk, which actually exacerbates an apron belly.

What are the different grades or severity levels of an apron belly?

Doctors place apron bellies into one of five grades, as follows: Grade 1: Mild – The belly hangs down to about the pubic hairline. Grade 2: Moderate – The pannus hangs low enough to cover the genitals. Grade 3: Severe – The apron belly reaches the upper thighs. Grade 4: Very Severe – Apron extends to the mid-thigh. Grade 5: Extremely Severe – The pannus reaches the knees or extends below them.

When does an apron belly become a medical concern rather than a cosmetic one?

For many people, removing an apron belly is a choice they make to look and feel better. But a pannus stomach can become a medical issue rather than just a cosmetic one. An apron belly can cause rashes, skin infections, and back pain. It can also disrupt your mobility and make everyday tasks difficult or impossible. In these cases, medical intervention may become a necessity.

How do you know if you are a good candidate for apron belly removal surgery?

Good candidates for an apron belly procedure are: Able to maintain a stable weight In good health overall, with chronic medical conditions well under control Nonsmokers (or willing to quit for surgery) In possession of a solid understanding of what their procedure can and cannot achieve Finished expanding their family and done having children. Note that pregnancy after apron belly removal is safe for both mother and baby. It may create a new apron belly, however. The best way to know if you’re a good candidate is to schedule a free virtual consultation and get personalized advice based on your needs and wants.

Will an apron belly come back after surgery or weight loss?

It could, yes. If you gain weight after having your apron belly removed and then lose it again, another pouch of loose skin could form. The same is true if you were to get pregnant again. Once your apron belly is gone, keeping it away means maintaining a fairly stable weight.

Can liposuction alone fix an apron belly, or is skin removal required?

Mia Aesthetics does offer surgeries to fix an apron belly, but liposuction isn’t one of them. Liposuction removes fat, but it doesn’t address the loose skin of an apron belly. Excess skin must be cut away during a tummy tuck or panniculectomy. Liposuction may also be beneficial, but by itself won’t correct an apron belly.

Conditions We Treat

Apron Belly

Breast Asymmetry

Breast Hypoplasia

Breast Implant Displacement (Malposition)

Breast Implant Illness (BII)

Breast Implant Pocket Problems

Breast Implant Rippling

Buffalo Hump On Neck

Bulbous Nose

Cankles

Cortisol Belly

Crooked Nose

Crow's Feet

Cushing's Syndrome

Diastasis Recti/Abdominal Separation

Dorsal Hump Nose

Gynecomastia

Hip Dips

Loose Skin After Weight Loss

Marionette Lines

Mom Butt

Neck Lines

Ptosis Droopy Eyelid

Roman Nose Shape

Sagging Buttocks: Why Does It Happen & How to Fix It

Saggy Breasts

Stress Belly

Subcutaneous Fat: Overview, Causes, & Risk

Thigh Fat

Tubular Breasts