Abdominal contour surgery: treating all aesthetic units, including the mons pubis.

Abstract

Many patients who seek [ldquo ]abdominal[rdquo ] contour surgery also desire improvement of areas of the torso adjacent to the abdomen, such as the flanks and back rolls. We propose a classification of the abdomen into distinct aesthetic units and report on a series of cases in which this classification was used, with special emphasis on one such unit, the mons pubis. A series of 400 consecutive patients were evaluated according the proposed designation of aesthetic units. Lipoplasty was performed as described in previous studies. A subset of 6 patients who specifically desired improvement of the mons pubis were treated by lipoplasty and/or horizontal or vertical wedge incision. Most patients who received treatment according to aesthetic unit were satisfied with their outcomes. Two of the patients who sought improvement of the mons pubis specifically requested additional procedures. An approach to abdominal contour surgery that includes consideration of all related aesthetic units can achieve more proportional, harmonious results and increase patient satisfaction.