Circumferential Abdominoplasty / 360 Body Lift / Tummy Tuck

magnusthenerd

Seems like there are very few stories by men about it on here. I didn't spot any actual images in search.
I just wondered if anyone had any experiences to share. I'm schedule to have the procedure a week from today. A little nervous about it - I've never had a general anesthesia, and it sounds like the procedure being 6 hours is right near the limits of how long before the risks of anesthesia start climbing.

CharlesScott78

I had this done about 12 years ago. The results were fantastic. The recovery was not too bad - the worst part is cleaning and maintaining the drains. I was up and about in no time. Not any real recovery pain - I did and still do have some numb areas around the incision. I kept the weight off for 8 years and then like an idiot gained a good bit of weight back. I originally went from 562.3 down to 220 - I had the surgery after I had been at goal weight for a year. The most important advice I can give you is don't let the weight come back. I would be happy to answer any questions.

magnusthenerd

I ended up with the flu the day before my original scheduled day.
I just had it done yesterday, Fat Tuesday. Kind of funny to give up flesh that day. And now I have to give up the gym for more than 40 days.

tinabobeena1981

It sounds like everything went well with the surgery though? Did it take the full 6 hours? How are you feeling today?

magnusthenerd

It was 4 hours plus me being out for another 2 hours.
One of my drains kept filling a lot with clots. I can't stand yet without getting dizzy. It looks like I might get a transfusion.

vixtris

Best of luck in recovery! I just had a panniculectomy 2 weeks ago (like an extended tummy tuck but without muscle repair). The first week was rough, drains suck (I had one removed today, still have one in), and am not quite standing upright yet. Maybe by next week. All I can suggest is to listen to your body and give it time. Not everyone recovers at the same rate. It may take 2-4 weeks to be able to feel well enough to return to most daily activities (other than exercise). Like I said its been 2 weeks for me and I'm not quite there yet, but every day is an improvement.

Mamakatspokane

Good luck with your recovery. Remember to be patient and follow the Dr's orders. My husband is looking at having this done so hopefully you will share some pictures. I had a Tummy tuck and muscle repair done on 1/15/20. So I'm 6 weeks post op. Recovery really isn't too bad it just takes patience. It's hard to not workout, it was harder to be back in "fat" clothes because of swelling. After 70+lbs lost I just wanted to be out of those....I am back out of my "fat" clothes and so happy with my results! It's so exciting to be rid of that excess skin! CONGRATULATIONS

magnusthenerd

I'm following the doctor and glad he's kind of conservative on things, keeping in the hospital because I'm draining a lot from one bag and seem to have lost a fair amount of blood.

MarcyMavin

Take care. Thinking of you. Get some rest.

FitterFifteen

How’re things going for you? Very interested in finding out how it goes as I feel I may be going on a similar route early next year.

magnusthenerd

Well, in hindsight, it wasn't the optimal time to have a surgery.
At this point I'm essentially off restrictions, just supposed to not do anything I feel is hurting the area.
So I'm back to exercise, both lifting and running. Not nearly back to where I was before the surgery, though to be expected just from time off, let alone a surgery.
Parts of my stomach are still less sensitive to touch. I can tell pressure, but I have less ability to sense touching to the area. I have almost no ability to sense cold. I've used ice packs on the area at times when it seemed there was a jump in swelling after getting the drains out and stopping use of the binder for support, and the area doesn't register as being cold, no longer how long the ice pack sites there.

The scars are pretty noticeable for the sides and back. They're better than they were initially, and it should be a year or more before they finish getting better, but there's no denying the backside scars are there. It is almost a bit comical to me that if I do wear pants or shorts riding low, I end up looking like I'm wearing a g-string pulled up, whale tail style.

sirjamerie

magnusthenerd wrote: »

The scars are pretty noticeable for the sides and back. They're better than they were initially, and it should be a year or more before they finish getting better, but there's no denying the backside scars are there.

In my personal experience, scars will keep improving and changing even after having them for 6 years. My scar isnt from skin surgery but iw was super deep, through the bone deep, on my leg. It keeps shrinking, thinning and changing into better skin all the time. So there's hope!
I didn't do anything specific like scar treatment. I put some body lotion on it once in a while and when it's tight I put handcream on there since I usually have it wherever I go.

I'm hoping the recovery is almost done

magnusthenerd

sirjamerie wrote: »

magnusthenerd wrote: »

The scars are pretty noticeable for the sides and back. They're better than they were initially, and it should be a year or more before they finish getting better, but there's no denying the backside scars are there.

In my personal experience, scars will keep improving and changing even after having them for 6 years. My scar isnt from skin surgery but iw was super deep, through the bone deep, on my leg. It keeps shrinking, thinning and changing into better skin all the time. So there's hope!
I didn't do anything specific like scar treatment. I put some body lotion on it once in a while and when it's tight I put handcream on there since I usually have it wherever I go.

I'm hoping the recovery is almost done

I've had other scars but since I got them when I was six and eight, I don't really recall the progress of their change in size and color, which would probably be some of the best insight into my own scars.

Like scars healing, I've been told things like the bloating will continue in the are for six months to a year. I definitely still have that. I still get stick in spots. The skin in my abdomen seem to keep regaining sensation - I noticed just this week that the skin above my belly button and around the sides has sensation comparable to the rest of my torso. Not sure if I'll have a permanently less sensitive patch about 1 inch from each side of the belly button from beneath the belly button to the scar - not horrendous just odd.