Enlarged & Rounded Mons Pubis After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Question

I have never had a large pubic area but ever since my full TT with Lipo & MR it is very large and rounded. My incision is very low and am not sure if this makes a difference. I just don't know when enough time has gone by to warrant an appointment with my Dr. to insist a closer look. He has seen it several times and has told me the swelling in that area is the last to go down. But it is so bad I cannot wear any form fitting pants/dress etc. I am 3.5 months post op and I never had a large pubic area pre op. I guess I would be less concerned if it wasn't so clearly rounded. My natural mons is below the incision but the rounding starts above - as shown in photo. The only change is that the area is no longer bruised. Also, at one point a few weeks after surgery there was a hard ball shape under the skin of my mons that seems to have resolved itself.

M. Scott Haydon, MD · Answer

Thanks for your ? and pic. It looks like a variation of normal. Sometimes this frustrating fullness can take a full year to improve. Liposuction is an option, but give it plenty of time. There is a lot of disruption of lymphatics that drains this area and the result is congestion. Lymphatic massage can be helpful. You might ask your PS if there is someone they recommend. Best of Luck!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Often times the Mons becomes an issue when it is no longer obscured by the abdominal drape. After swelling has subsided if it's too large liposuction can be performed under local anesthesia.

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

It is true that the swelling in the mons pubis area is the last part to go down following tummy tuck, and the swelling here lasts even longer when liposuction is done at the same time. Whether or not this will still go down depends how long it has been from the time of surgery. Often patients do not notice mons fullness since the tummy hangs over it or is in the way of viewing it from above, but no additional tissue is put there during a tummy tuck or liposuction. The most common reasons for a large mons after surgery is a large mons before surgery, and normal postoperative swelling. If you have concerns, that is the time to make an appointment with your surgeon, even if it is just for reassurance that the healing is progressing normally.

M. Dalvi Humzah, MD · Answer

This area is commonly enlarged post surgery, especially of liposuction was also used tin that region. It will resolve gradually. Lymphatic massage and occasionally US therapy helps.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

In many cases after a tummy tuck a full mons pubis is revealed once the abdominal overhang is removed. That can be dealt with secondarily and very successfully by a liposuction procedure. It is also possible that this a retained fluid collection or a seroma pocket but that would be evident by a physical examination.

Enlarged & Rounded Mons Pubis After Tummy Tuck? (photo)

Answers (10)