A monsplasty or pubic lift is liposuction or surgical removal of excess skin of the mons pubis, which is the fatty area that your pubic hair sits on, covering the pubic mound.
The mons is a fatty pad that protects your pubic area during fertile years (during sex), but how much fat your mons pubis contains depends largely on genetics, hormones and how much fat you carry.1
Menopausal women (who have less oestrogen) have less fat in the mons pubis, like prepubescent girls. If you have lost a lot of weight, your mons pubis fat or excess skin can stick around, drooping over your vulva. This can cause some women to feel self-conscious in tight clothes, swimwear, some underwear, and when naked.2
There is usually no medical reason to have a monsplasty besides the cosmetic comfort, which can be immense after the change for some women.
The procedure can be done in a cosmetic surgery clinic as a day surgery using local anaesthetic, taking between one and three hours. Post-procedure pain and soreness may last 3-5 days, with some swelling and bruising likely.3
If you have had surgery (as opposed to just liposuction) where skin was removed, you may have a longer recovery period. Normal exercise and sex can be resumed a few weeks post-procedure, but you’ll need to be gentle. 4
References
- 1.Seleem M, Osman OM, Kashmar SG, Lotfy R. Dimensions, Ratios, Volumes, and Weights of the Fatty Parts of the Vulva (Mons Pubis and Labia Majora). Aesthetic Surgery Journal. Published online April 17, 2023:1002-1012. doi:10.1093/asj/sjad106
- 2.Pechevy L, Gourari A, Carloni R, Sauvaget F, Bertheuil N, Goga D. Monsplasty after massive weight loss: Assessment of its aesthetic and functional impact. Annales de Chirurgie Plastique Esthétique. Published online February 2016:e21-e35. doi:10.1016/j.anplas.2014.12.002
- 3.Patoué A, De Runz A, Carloni R, Aillet S, Watier E, Bertheuil N. Safe monsplasty technique. Journal of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. Published online July 14, 2017:74-79. doi:10.1080/2000656x.2017.1335642
- 4.Bykowski MR, Rubin JP, Gusenoff JA. The Impact of Abdominal Contouring with Monsplasty on Sexual Function and Urogenital Distress in Women Following Massive Weight Loss. ASJOUR. Published online October 25, 2016:63-70. doi:10.1093/asj/sjw144