Monsplasty

Mons pubis refers to the region above the penis shaft (in men) and above the vagina (in women). This is the area where the pubic hair grows. As men and women age and put on weight, this region bulges in size (varies from person to person) and can make the life of the person uncomfortable and can be a cause for some diseases. Removal of fat from this region and excess skin is called Monsplasty. The procedure is cosmetic in nature and is also called public lift.

When people put on weight (obese in many cases), the fat tissue in the mons pubic region grows in size and starts drooping down. If the person had liposuction kind of fat removal surgery done, there can be excess skin sagging in the abdomen area. Usually skin is elastic in nature, where it stretches and also shrinks back. With age, the elasticity of the skin goes down and excess skin continues to sag. Surgery will be needed to get rid of it in ageing men and women.

What makes a person opt for a monsplasty procedure?

1. Hygiene. Excess fat or excess in the mons pubis area can make it difficult to keep the genitals clean. This can lead to infections of the reproductive organs, rashes etc.
2. Difficulty urinating and/or having sex – Excess fat in the pubic region when spreads around, can bury the penis leading to a condition called ‘buried penis’. Women and men may have problems peeing and having sex.
3. Comfort – A person with a drooping pubic region may not find it comfortable wearing clothes (tight clothing or a bikini etc) of his/her choice. 
4. Confidence and self esteem – A not so good looking pubic region (from the person’s perspective) may dent his/her confidence in general and in the bedroom. This can affect the quality of life in and outside of home.

Who is a good candidate for the surgery?

A little bit of fat in the area of young people is kind of ok. Regular workout with a good diet can reduce the fat in the region and the skin can go back to its regular firmness. Such candidates may not be a good candidate for the surgery. If you have tried out a good diet routine and regular workout and that didn’t help much, you can see a doctor and check if monsplasty is an option. 

1. If you underwent tummy tuck or liposuction procedure and have sagging skin in the region, you may consider monsplasty.
2. If your pubic region is bulged, submerging your penis and/or making it difficult to have sex or keep your area clean, you can opt for monsplasty.
3. You shouldn’t be a regular smoker or you should pause smoking a couple of months before the surgery. Smoking hinders healing of the body.
4. If you are having heart diseases, diabetes or lung disorders, you must let your doctor know and he/she may evaluate you based on your medical history.

What happens during monsplasty surgery?

1. You will be put under general anaesthesia. You will be asleep during the surgery. Some doctors may give local anaesthesia and medicine to help you relax. In most cases, general anaesthesia is preferred.
2. A horizontal incision in the pubic region is made with a scalpel. The fatty tissue is removed and the muscles from upper abdomen and lower abdomen are pulled together and stitched up internally with dissolvable sutures.
3. Excess sagging skin is cut out and remaining skin is stitched up.
4. A small tube may be placed in the region to drain out the fluids that might get accumulated in the region during healing.
5. The site is then bandaged and you will be advised to wear compression garments so that there’s no room for the body to accumulate fluids and swell.
6. You may be advised to stay in the hospital for a day while your doctor checks on you the next day.

Risks associated with monsplasty surgery

1. Like any surgery that involves cutting the body open, monsplasty also carries the risk of infection.
2. Anaesthesia risk is always there when you undergo a surgery. A higher dose in healthy individuals or a normal dosage in weaker people (people with pre-existing conditions) is always a risk to life.
3. The incision site may get infected during surgery and may leak blood and other fluids. 
4. If the compression bandage or garments aren’t well placed, the body starts accumulating fluids and the area can swell. This increases the recovery period.
5. Scarring at the incision site.
6. Your doctor should be very careful while removing the fatty tissue. Nerves should be properly handled. Any injury or damage to nerves can cause numbness (temporarily or permanently in extreme cases). 
7. If you don’t follow a healthy lifestyle and have a check on your diet, fat can return nullifying the effects of the surgery (and the pain you have gone through) in no time. 

Care to be taken after the surgery

Your doctor will brief you on what to do and what not to do during recovery. You will be given antibiotics to tackle any possible infections and anti-inflammatory medicines along with pain medicine. You should strictly follow your prescription for quicker recovery.

You will be able to return to work after two weeks after the surgery. You should avoid bending and/or lifting weights. Avoid contact with water during the first week of recovery. Keep checking and changing the bandage in the region and make sure there isn’t any leakage of fluids or blood from the incision site.

If the pain during recovery keeps going up despite taking pain medication and/or if you happen to see any inflammation and fluids coming out from the incision site, see your doctor immediately. This can be a sign of infection that can delay healing and form not so good looking scar tissue in the area.