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What is Apron Belly & How to get Rid of It?

Written by an Expert Aesthetic Content Writer Lisa.
Reviewed by Expert Medical Director Dr. Raj Thethi
Published on: July 15, 2025
Body Concerns

Apron Belly

Noticed your lower belly starting to hang a bit more than it used to? An apron belly can be frustrating, especially when you’ve done the hard work of losing weight or you’ve gone through pregnancy and expected things to bounce back. That extra skin and stubborn fat, often referred to as an apron belly, can be tough to shift and even tougher to live with on a day-to-day basis.

What is an Apron Belly?

An apron belly is when fat and skin drip down from your stomach, usually over your underwear or trousers, somewhat like an apron. Physicians also refer to it as a “pannus stomach.

It can happen to anyone after pregnancy, weight changes, or just with age. For some, it’s soft and small. For others, it can be larger and even get in the way while walking or moving around.

What Causes an Apron Stomach

There isn’t just one cause. Often, it’s a mix of things your body has been through. Here are the most common reasons:

Weight Gain

When your weight increases the fat tissue tends to accumulate in the stomach. This will stretch the skin, and sometimes it won’t return to its original shape.

Weight Loss

If you’ve lost significant weight (well done!), the fat is lost, but the skin remains stretched and loose, forming an overhang.

Pregnancy

The belly skin and muscles expand during pregnancy. After delivery, the skin might not return to its previous appearance.

Ageing

With ageing, skin thins and loses its elasticity. Muscles weaken as a result as well, contributing to the sag.

Medical Conditions 

Issues with hormones (such as thyroid or PCOS) may cause the body to hold more fat in the stomach region.

Knowing the reasons might help you manage your lifestyle and reduce the chances of the appearance of an apron belly.

Apron Belly Treatments

So, how do you fix hanging belly skin? This is the section everyone is actually looking for. And we’re here to assist you. 

An apron belly may be challenging to manage, and here are the safe and professional treatments to help you feel better and more confident in your own skin. These treatments yield results more quickly than natural remedies. They include:

BodyTite

This procedure melts fat and firms skin with radiofrequency. It’s all done with a small device that penetrates just beneath the skin. There are no large incisions made, unlike traditional surgery. It’s ideal for individuals who desire results but prefer not to undergo surgery.

Fat Dissolving Injections

Fat dissolving injections  are small injections that help dissolve fat in targeted areas. They’re perfect for individuals who have small fat pockets around the lower stomach. The body naturally excretes the fat after treatment.

Fat-dissolving injections may also help if you want to get rid of thigh fat.

BodyJet Liposuction

Bodyjet Liposuction is a mild type of water-assisted liposuction. It employs a soft water spray to release and extract fat. It’s not as aggressive as standard lipo, so recovery is quicker and less painful. 

Abdominoplasty

An abdominoplasty, also known as a tummy tuck, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdominal area, as well as tightens the underlying abdominal muscles. People who have lost a lot of weight or been through pregnancy and are left with loose, saggy skin are often recommended a tummy tuck by the experts.

Panniculectomy

A panniculectomy is a surgery that removes the pannus, the overhanging flap of skin and fat on the lower belly (the “apron belly”). Unlike a tummy tuck, this procedure does not tighten the muscles; it focuses solely on removing loose tissue.

Natural Ways to Reduce Apron Belly

Can I get rid of a hanging belly naturally? Although non-medical options may not eliminate apron belly (particularly if you have a lot of excess skin), they can still benefit a lot in the way your body appears and feels

➤  Healthy Eating

Improved eating helps you lose fat and takes care of your skin. Try to:

  • Consume more fruit, vegetables, lean meat, and whole grains.
  • Reduce sugar, fizzy drinks, and foods high in fat and calories.
  • Drink plenty of water to keep your skin soft and moist.

➤  Apron Belly Exercise

Exercise makes your body burn fat and build muscle:

  • Walk every day or jog lightly.
  • Dance, swim, or ride, what you love!
  • Put in easy tummy exercises like planks, crunches, or leg lifts.

It’s not so much about tough workouts, it’s about being active in a way that feels good for you.

➤  Compression Garments

Compression support clothing can assist:

  • Hold your belly up.
  • Less rubbing and rashes.
  • Make clothes feel more comfortable.

They won’t cure apron belly, but they make life a bit easier.

Final Thoughts

If you have an apron belly, don’t be ashamed of it. It occurs in lots of people, and you’re definitely not alone. However, if it’s causing you physical or emotional distress, there are actual steps you can take to make a difference.

If you’re struggling with an apron belly and want real, lasting results, book a consultation at Yorkshire Skin Centre in Leeds. Led by Dr. Raj, our expert team offers advanced, safe, and personalised treatments to help you feel confident in your body again.

FAQs

1. What’s the difference between a fupa and an apron belly?

A FUPA (Fat Upper Pubic Area) is fat just above the pubic bone. An apron belly hangs over the lower belly, often after weight gain or pregnancy.

2. Is the apron belly unhealthy?

It can be. If there’s too much fat deep around the organs, it may raise the risk of heart disease, diabetes, or back pain. It can also cause skin rashes or discomfort.

3. What hormone causes an apron belly?

High levels of cortisol and oestrogen can lead to belly fat and apron belly.

4. What is the best exercise for a hanging belly?

Walking, planks, and gentle core workouts like leg raises help burn fat and strengthen tummy muscles.

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About Dr. Raj Thethi - Medical Reviewer

Dr. Raj Thethi

Yorkshire Skin Centre in Leeds is a CQC-registered medical clinic. It is led by Dr Raj Thethi who completed his core surgical training in hospitals around West Yorkshire before branching into aesthetics. Dr Raj Thethi is a Northern Territory Regional Expert for an international dermal filler company called Teoxane. He also sits on their National UK Faculty.

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Blepharoplasty, also known as an eye lift, is a surgical procedure performed on the eyelids to improve their appearance. It can address concerns like:

  • Excess skin on the upper eyelids: This can obstruct vision and create a hooded appearance.

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  • Drooping lower eyelids: This can also obstruct vision and contribute to a tired appearance.


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  • Asian blepharoplasty: This addresses specific concerns related to the anatomy of Asian eyelids, creating a more defined crease.