Can My Prominent Pubic Mound Be Reduced by Liposuction?

Q: I had a tummy tuck about a year ago and I have been embarrassed about my pubic area since. Now it sticks out and it did not do this before the surgery. It is an embarrassing problem that makes me not want to show off my new figure. It is apparent in tight pants, underwear or a swim suit. I am so self-conscious about it. Is this normal after a tummy tuck and what can be done about it?

A: Because a tummy tuck has its greatest tightening effect around the waistline, it is not uncommon to have the suprapubic mound become more prominent. In reality, the suprapubic mound was always there and it has not gotten any bigger. It is just that what lies above it has now become less prominent, exposing what used to be an obscure and unobserved mound area. In my tummy tuck experience, this is not a rare development after surgery. The bigger the size of the tummy segment that is removed and the greater the waistline tightening is, the more likely a prominent suprapubic mound would be unmasked afterwards.

The suprapubic mound can be easily and very successfully reduced by liposuction. I have found it to be an area in which fat is easily extracted and the mound prominence reduced quite quickly. Because it is a small area, the liposuction procedure can even be done under local anesthesia with minimal recovery.

 Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana