It's been over 2 months since my
original post. I've been going to a personal trainer and working out steadily. I have also tuned my diet even futher into what I would now classify as a "Paleo" style of eating (
look it up, seriously).
The most notable changed are as follows:
- Strength has increased in my arms, legs, back, core, etc. All over.
- I am at 233 lbs, that's roughly a 10 lb loss.
- Best still, my body fat percentage (BF%) has gone from ~24% to ~18% (tested using calipers by my trainer)
I'm very happy with how things are progressing so far. My man boobs are changing shape and seem to be getting "smaller," but the decrease in their size is being offset by a more muscular chest so it's really unnoticeable.
While losing weight, I've been thinking about
Dr. Bermant's suggestion of getting a tummy tuck prior to gyne surgery. I'm not thrilled with the idea due to extra recovery time (out of commission for 4 weeks?), extra cost (~$5000?), and the large scar that will be left on my body. I'm hoping that as I lower my BF%, my midsection will shrink further (as my back has already), and the skin will become tighter... but I really don't know what to expect.
If anyone has any input on this, I'm all ears! I would really like to avoid the tummy tuck if possible, but still get a "toned" look... but I'll do it if I have to
I am going to keep pressing forward. I have been moisturizing daily with cocoa butter, I eat fantastically, and I workout regularly in an effort to keep my skin healthy and elastic so that I will get great results when I have my surgery.
During my patient consultations I explain in greater detail the issues of order of surgery and weight loss. It is an issue of coming up with the best result with the least number of surgeries. As a surgical sculptor, I rather pick the coarse tool first. You cannot control where weight loss comes from. That is why weight loss before surgery is better than after. Why have surgery, lose weight and then get loose skin issues to deal with. Lose the weight, let the skin stabilize, and then see what needs to be done. If there are loose tissues both in abdomen and chest, doing the chest first can be a mistake.
Tummy Tucks can lower the chest tissues. So why would you want to lift the chest, lower it again with a tuck just so you can go back to revise the chest with a repeat lift? Yet, after weight loss not all patients need surgery. Some chose to compromise leaving loose tissues behind. It is an art of just what to compromises to make with loose skin
After Weight Loss. Yet others feel that the scars of skin tightening are a valuable trade off for getting rid of that loose bouncing tissue.
The universal experience for my weight loss patients is that they
feel better after losing weight. That is something you seem to indicate you are already on the path to achieve so far. Good luck on your continued progress.
Hope this helps,
Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia of Male Chest Ptosis - Sagging and Male Mastopexy Chest Lift Sculpture