POSTED UNDER Male Tummy Tuck Reviews
6ft 4in 29 Year Old Male, Down from 350+lbs to 210lbs - London, GB
UPDATED FROM Jonnybc
1 month post
5 weeks post op update
JonnybcNovember 22, 2016
$9,500
So, there's not much to report on that's different from my 4 week out report - I was able to live a normal life by most people’s standards last week, and I'm still able to now!
I'm still using the silicone strips on my scar, no idea if they're helping or not, but I'm pleased with how neat and tidy everything is looking at the moment.
Things in the gym have slowly been ramping up - I deadlifted for the first time last Thursday, took it easy and only went up to 100kg/220lbs which is 53% of what I was able to lift prior to surgery.
I still swell up when I haven't been wearing my compression garment, so I still wear that for at least 14 hours a day, the only time I don't wear it now is at work which is just an office job sat at a desk - I wake up in the mornings as flat as pancake which is great!
I've been doing a lot more poking and prodding around my stomach now that my incision is healed and the pain has all but gone away, lymphatic massage is its correct name but I'm sure my technique isn't good enough to name it that, although that is my aim!
I'm still not engaging my abdominal muscles 100% for anything yet as this still proves uncomfortable, as does over extending / arching backwards. This is getting better slowly but surely and overall I'm very pleased with how functional and low my pain levels are at only 5 weeks out.
I've added a few more pre and post op pics.
I'm still using the silicone strips on my scar, no idea if they're helping or not, but I'm pleased with how neat and tidy everything is looking at the moment.
Things in the gym have slowly been ramping up - I deadlifted for the first time last Thursday, took it easy and only went up to 100kg/220lbs which is 53% of what I was able to lift prior to surgery.
I still swell up when I haven't been wearing my compression garment, so I still wear that for at least 14 hours a day, the only time I don't wear it now is at work which is just an office job sat at a desk - I wake up in the mornings as flat as pancake which is great!
I've been doing a lot more poking and prodding around my stomach now that my incision is healed and the pain has all but gone away, lymphatic massage is its correct name but I'm sure my technique isn't good enough to name it that, although that is my aim!
I'm still not engaging my abdominal muscles 100% for anything yet as this still proves uncomfortable, as does over extending / arching backwards. This is getting better slowly but surely and overall I'm very pleased with how functional and low my pain levels are at only 5 weeks out.
I've added a few more pre and post op pics.
Jonnybc's provider
UPDATED FROM Jonnybc
29 days post
4 Week Post-Op Update
JonnybcNovember 16, 2016
So here we are, 4 weeks post op! The last week has been great for me, pain is essentially non-existent - it just feels like I have a good abdominal workout with slightly sore and tender abdominal muscles now, sneezing no longer brings searing pain and is just a case of mild discomfort for an instant.
I managed to get back in to the gym at exactly 3 weeks post-op. I went for a zero impact set of exercises and no exercises which would involve over exertion of the abdominal muscles or intense core bracing – I’m a big fan of deadlifting, squatting and bench pressing but none of these have been attempted yet due to this. I spent 10 minutes on the exercise bike, which is my normal warm up routine before hitting the weight room, I did a lot of tricep, chest and shoulder isolation exercises and felt great doing them, and the endorphin kick from exercising was amazing – haven’t felt them in a long time! I’ve been to the gym a total of 4 times now, aiming to go every other day before ramping up to my normal 6 days a week when my body will allow. I feel I could be going 6 days a week at this point but I’m holding myself back for obvious reasons.
I’ve started using my silicone Scaraway strips to help minimise the scarring and improving the healing over the past week too, they’re comfortable and easy to use. I can’t comment on their effectiveness at this stage as it’s far too soon to tell. I bought the strips marketed as C-Section strips, I then cut them in half down their length so that one strip covers my whole incision.
Swelling is still subsiding slowly but surely, my tummy button has now sealed / healed and I’m no longer having to dress it or use any creams. I’m fully off anti-biotics too and as these are all clearing my system I’m feeling better and better and more like myself. I’ll arrange to post some pics soon of how everything is looking, I’m very pleased with the results at this stage and things are only getting better too.
At this stage of the healing process it feels like there’s nothing I couldn’t do, but I am choosing to restrict myself for obvious reasons.
I managed to get back in to the gym at exactly 3 weeks post-op. I went for a zero impact set of exercises and no exercises which would involve over exertion of the abdominal muscles or intense core bracing – I’m a big fan of deadlifting, squatting and bench pressing but none of these have been attempted yet due to this. I spent 10 minutes on the exercise bike, which is my normal warm up routine before hitting the weight room, I did a lot of tricep, chest and shoulder isolation exercises and felt great doing them, and the endorphin kick from exercising was amazing – haven’t felt them in a long time! I’ve been to the gym a total of 4 times now, aiming to go every other day before ramping up to my normal 6 days a week when my body will allow. I feel I could be going 6 days a week at this point but I’m holding myself back for obvious reasons.
I’ve started using my silicone Scaraway strips to help minimise the scarring and improving the healing over the past week too, they’re comfortable and easy to use. I can’t comment on their effectiveness at this stage as it’s far too soon to tell. I bought the strips marketed as C-Section strips, I then cut them in half down their length so that one strip covers my whole incision.
Swelling is still subsiding slowly but surely, my tummy button has now sealed / healed and I’m no longer having to dress it or use any creams. I’m fully off anti-biotics too and as these are all clearing my system I’m feeling better and better and more like myself. I’ll arrange to post some pics soon of how everything is looking, I’m very pleased with the results at this stage and things are only getting better too.
At this stage of the healing process it feels like there’s nothing I couldn’t do, but I am choosing to restrict myself for obvious reasons.
Replies (3)
November 18, 2016
Hi I would like to know if you can give more details about your diet? Thanks
November 22, 2016
Hi redgod,
My diet consist of everything which isn't processed, I steer clear of sugars in particular. I eat a lot of meat and vegetables and try and keep fruit in take down.
For example for dinner tonight I had minced (ground) beef with taco seasoning, to that I added some haricot and kidney beans, some beef stock, some chillies and other seasoning to add flavour, I served that up with some wholegrain rice. It's stodgy, loaded with calories, loaded with protein, full of healthy fats, full of fibre and keeps me ticking along nicely.
My easy to follow rule for dieting has been "if it doesn't grow, don't eat it" - sweets, candy, coca cola, crisps/chips, fries, bread etc don't grow - so I don't eat them.
My diet consist of everything which isn't processed, I steer clear of sugars in particular. I eat a lot of meat and vegetables and try and keep fruit in take down.
For example for dinner tonight I had minced (ground) beef with taco seasoning, to that I added some haricot and kidney beans, some beef stock, some chillies and other seasoning to add flavour, I served that up with some wholegrain rice. It's stodgy, loaded with calories, loaded with protein, full of healthy fats, full of fibre and keeps me ticking along nicely.
My easy to follow rule for dieting has been "if it doesn't grow, don't eat it" - sweets, candy, coca cola, crisps/chips, fries, bread etc don't grow - so I don't eat them.
November 22, 2016
Hello again. I have to say from your description and experience post op it sounds like you have been very lucky. I am having my surgery on Friday and I am feeling rather anxious now to say the least! I have read a lot of people peoples experiences, a lot women seem to have longer discomfort and swelling for a long time after, complain about sleeping comfortably and also not being able to remove their compression garment without causing more discomfort. I wander if it's to do with the muscle repair on top of the skin removal that prolongs the pain/discomfort. If I feel like how you did I will be very happy indeed! I think the unknown is getting to me know!!
So have you regained feeling to your stomach area yet?
Do you become tired/fatigue quickly?
Do you not get any discomfort sleeping, moving touching your scar?
Does everything feel normal again?
Anything that would cause you to regret doing it?
Thanks again
So have you regained feeling to your stomach area yet?
Do you become tired/fatigue quickly?
Do you not get any discomfort sleeping, moving touching your scar?
Does everything feel normal again?
Anything that would cause you to regret doing it?
Thanks again
November 22, 2016
Hi Adam,
Being anxious is perfectly normal, it's the fear of the unknown and I can fully relate.
I'm not sure why or how I've found my recovery so easy, and I can only comment on my own experience but I am surprised at how easy I've found it. It's worth noting I was / am a strong, fit, and healthy guy who was gymming 6 times a week. I was lifting 400lbs in a deadlift, squatting over 320lbs etc. - moving just my body weight around pre-surgery was very easy for me in terms of what my body was capable of which can only have helped me with moving around post-surgery as my body was used to bearing so much more load.
In answer to your questions;
I'm still numb on the skin around the belly button and below it all the way to the incision, sensation and feeling has been coming back slowly but surely.
I do find myself fatiguing quickly, I'm doing less volume and less weights in the gym but I am still getting exhausted relatively quickly - as mentioned previously I'm going every other day to the gym but hope to be able to ramp it back up to 6 days a week again.
I have no trouble sleeping whatsoever anymore, there’s no pain.
I touch, prod and poke my scar on purpose - massage therapy on scars is shown to help their healing and less chance on hard lumpy scar - there’s no pain in doing so.
No, I do not feel normal. I am aware of tightness within my abdomen and I don't feel I could fully exert my abdominal muscles without discomfort. I do still swell at the moment but I wouldn't describe this as particularly uncomfortable - I can definitely feel it though.
My only regret is not having it done sooner.
I wish you all the best for your operation on Friday, I'm sure it will go well. One piece of advise I was given by the doctor post surgery was "we'd rather you took the pain meds and were active rather than staying stationary and battling the pain naturally" - movement is good, just try and not be too core focused.
Being anxious is perfectly normal, it's the fear of the unknown and I can fully relate.
I'm not sure why or how I've found my recovery so easy, and I can only comment on my own experience but I am surprised at how easy I've found it. It's worth noting I was / am a strong, fit, and healthy guy who was gymming 6 times a week. I was lifting 400lbs in a deadlift, squatting over 320lbs etc. - moving just my body weight around pre-surgery was very easy for me in terms of what my body was capable of which can only have helped me with moving around post-surgery as my body was used to bearing so much more load.
In answer to your questions;
I'm still numb on the skin around the belly button and below it all the way to the incision, sensation and feeling has been coming back slowly but surely.
I do find myself fatiguing quickly, I'm doing less volume and less weights in the gym but I am still getting exhausted relatively quickly - as mentioned previously I'm going every other day to the gym but hope to be able to ramp it back up to 6 days a week again.
I have no trouble sleeping whatsoever anymore, there’s no pain.
I touch, prod and poke my scar on purpose - massage therapy on scars is shown to help their healing and less chance on hard lumpy scar - there’s no pain in doing so.
No, I do not feel normal. I am aware of tightness within my abdomen and I don't feel I could fully exert my abdominal muscles without discomfort. I do still swell at the moment but I wouldn't describe this as particularly uncomfortable - I can definitely feel it though.
My only regret is not having it done sooner.
I wish you all the best for your operation on Friday, I'm sure it will go well. One piece of advise I was given by the doctor post surgery was "we'd rather you took the pain meds and were active rather than staying stationary and battling the pain naturally" - movement is good, just try and not be too core focused.
November 22, 2016
Thanks again for coming back to me so quickly.
I'm a very similar case to you as I to exercise 5 to 6 times a week so hopefully that will help as I'm fit and healthy also. My nutrition is also good so again hopefully this all will mean I have a better recovery.
I was also told they like you to be moving around as it helps with recovery. So that's good to know. I was told the first two weeks would be more resting with small but regular movements and I would then gradually improve activity from there onwards.
Out interest what pain meds did you take? And how long did u take them/do you still take them?
I hope your recovery continues to be as good as it so far. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again
I'm a very similar case to you as I to exercise 5 to 6 times a week so hopefully that will help as I'm fit and healthy also. My nutrition is also good so again hopefully this all will mean I have a better recovery.
I was also told they like you to be moving around as it helps with recovery. So that's good to know. I was told the first two weeks would be more resting with small but regular movements and I would then gradually improve activity from there onwards.
Out interest what pain meds did you take? And how long did u take them/do you still take them?
I hope your recovery continues to be as good as it so far. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again
UPDATED FROM Jonnybc
21 days post
Still swollen but flattened out
JonnybcNovember 8, 2016
I can't find the video I took, sorry! But rest assured you'll be able to tell if a seroma or haematoma is forming. In the picture taken on Sunday evening you can see I'm still swollen but flattened out a fair bit compared to previous pics.
Replies (2)