30 Year Old Male, 10 Years After Weight Loss and Years of Exercise, Finally I Get to See What It Really Looks Like - Houston, TX

I'm feeling about 100 percent stamina again, with no pain. Unfortunately I feel bloated and gross. I compared my photos of where I was muscle mass wise 5 years ago to today and outside of my awesome stomach, it was a really bummer. I have a lot of work ahead if I want that mass back, without gaining a lot of fat. I feel like I'm holding water above my compression around my pecs causing subtle moobs. I did get compliments about how good and fit I looked at the party I went to. They had no idea of the surgery either. Still the confidence is lacking. Updated photo. I looked better 4 days post op, but the flanks are going down slowly.

So ya buying slim fit shirts for work is pretty great. I finally have the V taper, and all the muscle ive gained over the years is getting to be shined and I can tuck my shirts in tight. I still dont look as good as I did in the picture I posted. The front seems to swell more in the later weeks. At least thats what I hope. My diet hasnt been very on point these days. Though any weight I gain will be lost. Though I think I may focus on getting stronger and gaining muscle in the coming months. The infection looks like its gone, but the wounds it left behind have to heal. Its still draining fluid. So sanitary pads are taped over it under my garment. I went to the gym after working hours. I just did light weight on machines for 20 to 30 minutes and rode the bike as a 10 minute warm up. I was told I could do this 2 weeks ago, but as my previous posts pointed out... I was overdoing things. Ill work part time next week again and work the gym back in after the office again. Just the rhythm of the old routine, makes me feel normal again. But my mood is stable again, and am going to a Christmas party tonight and maybe ill go on a date or two in the coming weeks.

So I did completely over do it a week ago. The rest I was able to get and am getting now working part time has helped considerably. My quick emotional teary feeling has gone, and I do feel a bit more "healed." I actually think my entire right side feels no soreness and the scar is clean and ready for EMBRACE. Whats even better is the right flanks swelling has continued to go down and my results are starting to look incredible and im still swollen. Swollen enough that its hard to fit 36 inch jeans on. So the results should just keep on getting better. It really is an amazing feeling to look great shirtless with a flat stomach and no love handles in sweatpants and shorts. Really everything I worked my ass off in the gym to try and achieve but never could. Ill try to get some photos here later tonight.

Now the bad news. The area that got drained seems to have let bacteria into my left hip and the incision is weakening and im being told is infected. Im still draining fluid out of the hole that was put in. That is expected until it heals. Im on antibiotics now and some of the questions on this site have eased my anxiety about what happens if the incision opens. Hopefully it gets fixed up, because im scared to even stretch that side.

But im ok, and things will go back to normal. Just dealing with the let down of not being able to return to my normal routine.