What Is Monsplasty?
A monsplasty, also known as a pubic lift, is a plastic surgery that tightens the mons pubis. The mons pubis is an area of (sometimes bulging) fat that sits just above the genitals, below the lower abdomen. Although clearly not one of plastic surgery’s more glamorous procedures, monsplasty can be incredibly helpful for improving comfort, clothing fit, and appearance, especially in people who experience sagging or fullness in the area due to aging, weight loss, or pregnancy. Some patients have a monsplasty by itself while others combine it with other surgeries, such as a tummy tuck or liposuction.
What the Mons Pubis Is — And Why It Can Bulge or Sag
The mons pubis is a mound of fatty tissue that sits between the pelvic bone and lower abdomen. Sometimes the mons pubis becomes larger due to aging and skin laxity, significant weight gain or loss, and hormonal changes or pregnancy. A previous C-section or tummy tuck can also cause enlargement of the area.
An enlarged or sagging mons pubis can make it difficult to wear tight clothing like swimsuits or underwear. It can also negatively impact your self-confidence and cause both physical and emotional discomfort during intimacy. Some people experience enlargement of the mons pubis without significant issues. Their less fortunate counterparts often seek a pubic lift to ease discomfort.
What Monsplasty Can Improve
Like all plastic surgeries, monsplasty focuses on improving a specific issue. It’s important to go into the surgery with a clear understanding of what it can do for you as well as what it can’t. Unrealistic expectations can cause frustration and disappointment, so we find it best to dispel them quickly when consulting with patients. Here is what a pubic lift can do for you:
- Reduce excess skin and fat in the pubic area
- Lift and tighten sagging tissue
- Smooth the transition between the lower abdomen and genitals
- Enhance the results of a tummy tuck, lower body lift, or labiaplasty
- Improve sexual confidence and hygiene
- Increase comfort during physical activity
How Monsplasty Surgery Works
A pubic lift typically takes about one or two hours to complete depending on the complexity of the procedure. Combining your monsplasty with other surgeries will, of course, add time. In general, a monsplasty proceeds as follows:
- Your care team will prepare you for surgery and then place you under general anesthesia.
- The plastic surgeon you chose will make a small, horizontal incision in the natural crease above your mons pubis. Unless you’re one who prefers to, shall we say, “keep the hedge trimmed,” the small scar left behind will be hidden in your pubic hair.
- Excess fat is then removed either using liposuction or through excision. Extra skin will also be cut away if needed.
- Your surgeon will tighten your skin over the area and then close the incisions, usually with dissolving sutures.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Monsplasty?
Both men and women regularly opt for monsplasty procedures, and both can expect excellent results when they work with an experienced plastic surgeon and are good candidates for the procedure. You are likely a good candidate if you:
- Are in generally good health
- Don’t smoke or are willing to quit for surgery
- Can maintain a stable weight and are near your ideal weight
- Have a bulging or sagging mons that affects comfort or appearance
- Experience discomfort in tight clothing or during intimacy
- Want a smoother lower abdomen
What Is Recovery Like After Monsplasty?
When planning for a surgery, we understand that you need to know what type of recovery you are looking at and how long it will be. Every person’s body is unique, so the path to healing varies somewhat from one patient to another. Generally, however, you can expect healing to involve the following:
- Swelling and bruising for the first week or two after surgery
- Returning to most of your normal activities in five to 10 days
- Avoiding strenuous exercise, sexual activity, or tight clothing for three to four weeks
- Wearing a light compression garment to support the area
- Final results emerging in six to 12 weeks, with continued improvement as swelling resolves
Monsplasty vs. Other Procedures
Monsplasties don’t enjoy the same high level of public recognition as breast augmentations, tummy tucks, and other plastic surgery procedures. As such, people often confuse them with other surgeries or are unsure exactly what they do as compared to them. This brief explainer can help clear up some common confusion and misunderstandings.
Monsplasty vs. Tummy Tuck
A tummy tuck tightens the abdominal wall muscles, if necessary, and removes excess belly fat and skin. It may not fully address sagging of the mons pubis, however, as its focus is higher on the abdomen. Monsplasty can be added to a tummy tuck to ensure a smoother transition from the abdomen to the genital region.
Monsplasty vs. Liposuction
Liposuction by itself removes excess fat and may be enough to address a small bulge in the mons pubis. But lipo, unfortunately, does not address stretched or sagging skin. A monsplasty removes both excess fat and skin, which is often necessary for optimal results.
Monsplasty vs. Labiaplasty
Labiaplasty reshapes the labia to create a more aesthetically pleasing contour and to stop the pinching and pulling caused by large labia. Labiaplasty is performed on the genitals, but monsplasty is not. Monsplasty smooths the contour above the genitals and does not address labial issues.
Can Monsplasty Be Combined With Other Procedures?
A pubic lift can absolutely be combined with other procedures, and often is. Combining procedures can save you money on fees like anesthesia, allow you to endure a single recovery period, and lead to more cohesive results. You can add any plastic surgery to your monsplasty so long as your plastic surgeon deems it safe to do so, but the procedures most often combined with monsplasty include a:
- Tummy tuck or mini tummy tuck
- Liposuction of the lower abdomen, thighs, or flanks
- Labiaplasty or vaginal rejuvenation
- Lower body lift (especially after massive weight loss)