Question for plastics post op. need help/advice im confused - ThinnerTimes

porshh951 · 10-14-2007, 03:54 AM

All you people who've had plastics how long did continued weight loss occur from fluids and tightning skin? I only ask cause im a little worried and at the very least confused.

I woke up this morning for my morning run as usual and I got on the scale(I weigh about once a week/week and a half) and I was 5lbs! lighter. I realize people may be asking whats the big deal but, for someone like me who is trying to bulk up and put on muscle mass this is huge.

So kinda flustrated I took out my tape measure and my arms/chest/ect where all the same. So thankfully it doesn't look like I lost any muscle mass which is what I was worried about. Yesterday morning I looked down and my lower abs where I usually see a good amount of swelling by mid day looked really lean. Almost pushed in they were so flat(right above my pelvic area). I normally only have that kind of defenition early in the morning before I move around.

I realize they say your body will continue changing up to 6 months out from plastis sugery but, to wake up have alot less swelling stand on the scale and see a 5lb drop was nuts. How the hell?

Did my body just decided okay we dont need those fluids anymore? wtf? Im now 194lbs on a good day. I was so excited to be up close to 200lbs after I started bulking.

All I can say while im sitting here confused is thankgod it wasn't muscle mass. That was freggin scarey dude.

*edit* btw im currently 2 months 3 weeks out from plastic surgery. Any tips advice would be great.

kittens4 · 10-14-2007, 05:13 AM

I have no tips...or advice....since I'm still in my "honeymoon" phase, and haven't had any plastic surgery......However, I just have to say that you look freakin' awesome!!!! You are so damn cute!!!! OMG! I just can't get over the transformation and determination. You should be so proud!!!!

rainrain · 10-14-2007, 07:55 AM

you are right on track...fear not...my P/S says the 2 month point is when you can expect to really see the results from the surgery. I found that to be very accurate for me.
As far as the weight loss, I can not really remember, but I have always stayed in my 5 pound range except right after P/S I was up 8-12 pounds then I dropped below my range by 4 pounds. I only stayed there for a day ??? then I balanced out to my 5 pound range where I see to remain for the last year and a half, despite exercises and food choices.
So I guess this is were my body wants to be.

Hope this helps!
(as always you are looking great!!)

porshh951 · 10-15-2007, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kittens4

I have no tips...or advice....since I'm still in my "honeymoon" phase, and haven't had any plastic surgery......However, I just have to say that you look freakin' awesome!!!! You are so damn cute!!!! OMG! I just can't get over the transformation and determination. You should be so proud!!!!

Thanks. thanks alot

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

you are right on track...fear not...my P/S says the 2 month point is when you can expect to really see the results from the surgery. I found that to be very accurate for me.
As far as the weight loss, I can not really remember, but I have always stayed in my 5 pound range except right after P/S I was up 8-12 pounds then I dropped below my range by 4 pounds. I only stayed there for a day ??? then I balanced out to my 5 pound range where I see to remain for the last year and a half, despite exercises and food choices.
So I guess this is were my body wants to be.

Hope this helps!
(as always you are looking great!!)

hmmm. So the way I look now will prolly be it. From this point then I can make changes to what I wanna work on.

Thanks I just thought the dramatic 5lb loss especially while chugging down peanut butter was a little nuts. I didn't quite understand why and was a little worried. I guess I won't be able to brag about being 200lbs anymore. I'll prolly settle into the low 190's and that will be that.

fitbefore40 · 10-15-2007, 08:28 AM

John, I'm 5 months out from my tummy tuck and although I haven't dropped 5 pounds quickly - I did lose 3 pounds around month 3 that I just attributed to cardio (and being under 130, 3 pounds makes a difference with me). In the last 45 days or so, I've trained a bit harder for a tournament and I've lost another inch in my waist. My plastic surgeon said I'd slowly lose the internal swelling and it may take 6 months. I believe him. I used to swell mid day - not much but just a bit of bloating feeling - now, I'm washboard flat all day long. I don't eat solids on competition days (which means only liquid protein for me until I fight) - and this weekend I competed at 2:30 in the afternoon and with my post tourney high, I didn't eat solids until about 6 pm . .. and at around 5:30 pm (while dinner was cooking) I laid down on the bed . . .and just looked at how darn flat my stomach was. My jeans went from hip bone to hip bone and were loose in the center . . . That was the surgery . . .

rainrain · 10-15-2007, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshh951

Thanks. thanks alot

hmmm. So the way I look now will prolly be it. From this point then I can make changes to what I wanna work on.

Thanks I just thought the dramatic 5lb loss especially while chugging down peanut butter was a little nuts. I didn't quite understand why and was a little worried. I guess I won't be able to brag about being 200lbs anymore. I'll prolly settle into the low 190's and that will be that.

Hi John,
I don't know that I would say that. For one you working out will shape and form your body into different ways based on how you work out. As far as the weight amount, I can not say you will stay there, despite the P/B, but I know your workouts burn alot of calories and at some point perhaps when you are 80 you may have to change the intensity and there fore the bod will also change.
I would say care less about the number. I am one of those girls who weigh more than I look. At 170 I am a perfect size 10 when others need to weigh 140 to get into a 10.
From a male perspective, you are filled with muscle and the snow cone shape is desired, but not always achieved. Lucky you, but 190 on some one else could look like 240 or 160....I say you look great, watch out for joint break down with all the heavy work outs and enjoy!!

sdgrrl · 10-15-2007, 08:58 AM

John,
When we have the plastics and they take a lot of skin, it causes significant swelling that increases as the day passes--exactly what you have described. After 2-3 months of recuperation, that swelling goes down, our weight stabilizes, and life goes on. You are describing a totally normal healing pattern, and I would suggest just being thrilled that you have done so well. (and I know you are!

)

On the same note, you needn't worry if you overexert and bring up a little more swelling later on. The swelling is the same stuff that comes up when we get a blister--reaction to irritation when the skin is separated from the tissue. Once the skin adheses to the tissue again, the swelling decreases.

You're doing great, and I am so happy that things have gone well for you!

porshh951 · 10-15-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fitbefore40

John, I'm 5 months out from my tummy tuck and although I haven't dropped 5 pounds quickly - I did lose 3 pounds around month 3 that I just attributed to cardio (and being under 130, 3 pounds makes a difference with me). In the last 45 days or so, I've trained a bit harder for a tournament and I've lost another inch in my waist. My plastic surgeon said I'd slowly lose the internal swelling and it may take 6 months. I believe him. I used to swell mid day - not much but just a bit of bloating feeling - now, I'm washboard flat all day long. I don't eat solids on competition days (which means only liquid protein for me until I fight) - and this weekend I competed at 2:30 in the afternoon and with my post tourney high, I didn't eat solids until about 6 pm . .. and at around 5:30 pm (while dinner was cooking) I laid down on the bed . . .and just looked at how darn flat my stomach was. My jeans went from hip bone to hip bone and were loose in the center . . . That was the surgery . . .

You look freggin great! I still remember your bikini pics. You've really done yourself proud. I remember thinking to myself how I hoped my results would mirror yours

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

Hi John,
I don't know that I would say that. For one you working out will shape and form your body into different ways based on how you work out. As far as the weight amount, I can not say you will stay there, despite the P/B, but I know your workouts burn alot of calories and at some point perhaps when you are 80 you may have to change the intensity and there fore the bod will also change.
I would say care less about the number. I am one of those girls who weigh more than I look. At 170 I am a perfect size 10 when others need to weigh 140 to get into a 10.

I didn't mean to give you the impression the number is what im after. All i've ever cared about is BF% and waist line. Its just being able to say 200lbs was pretty neat. I enjoy being big and most guys I know who are really cut up are 185-195 that have my chest size. Its not a big deal really. If im 190 then im 190.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainrain

From a male perspective, you are filled with muscle and the snow cone shape is desired, but not always achieved. Lucky you, but 190 on some one else could look like 240 or 160....I say you look great, watch out for joint break down with all the heavy work outs and enjoy!!

Yeah its all about BF%. A dude can be 160lbs and be 8% or 190 it just depends on muscle mass and height for sure I hear what you are saying and agree. It looks like i'll prolly be around 190 and if I want anymore weight than what i've put on i'll have to build from that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgrrl

John,
When we have the plastics and they take a lot of skin, it causes significant swelling that increases as the day passes--exactly what you have described. After 2-3 months of recuperation, that swelling goes down, our weight stabilizes, and life goes on. You are describing a totally normal healing pattern, and I would suggest just being thrilled that you have done so well. (and I know you are!

)

On the same note, you needn't worry if you overexert and bring up a little more swelling later on. The swelling is the same stuff that comes up when we get a blister--reaction to irritation when the skin is separated from the tissue. Once the skin adheses to the tissue again, the swelling decreases.

You're doing great, and I am so happy that things have gone well for you!

Yeah I think thats its prolly my body trying to full readjust. The shocking drop just came at a odd time. It kinda took me by surprise. People tell me your body continues to change months and months after surgery but, since I started weight lifting so soon after its hard to tell what shaping is genetics and what is actually results from my work.

Kinda flustrating but, its my own fault. It was my choice to start this early. I guess I'll just need to take things with a grain of salt and not get too used to any one thing.

Thankyou all for the advice and personal stories. Its aparent to me now this is just one of those things people deal with after surgery. Im not upset at all even the real big guys I know don't weigh much more than 185-190 at my height....so I had to realize this was coming. thanks again guys.

Gina in NY · 10-15-2007, 04:16 PM

I am still really swollen - well, less than after surgery, but I'm still crooked!

The swelling is all right around the incision in the front, a little extra on the right side, but it is definately there at two and 1/2 months out. I hope I get a surprise drop!

I wonder if the fact that I never wore a binder has anything to do with it. I bet not though. It took me at least 4 months to lose all the swelling from my GBP.

That isn't helpful at all is it. I guess I'm just here to say - 2 1/2 months out, swollen and crooked, and looking better than ever!! I am VERY flat everywhere I'm not swollen though. Except for the lines that now run down the sides of my obliques, but I like those...

For me, I'd LOVE to wake up not swollen and 5 pounds less! I pray for such a day! But I know where you're coming from too. Eh - you're there now. The rest is tinkering with details.