At the time of writing, in September 2023, I am around the 18-month mark since my combined tummy tuck and gynecomastia procedure. So it’s time for an update – and probably the last one about my own recovery journey, to help bring this chapter to a close.

A Smooth Journey: Before, During, and After Surgery

For those familiar with my previous updates, you’ll know that my journey has been extremely smooth from the outset until now. The planning and preparation, going through the procedure itself, and everything around my recovery have been remarkably smooth and I am extremely grateful.

Getting Back To Normal

One of the things that people tend to worry about after major surgery like this is what recovery is like and how long it’s going to take before you get back to your normal day-to-day life.

General mobility and not walking around with a hunched posture were fully back to normal within a few weeks and I was back in the gym around the 8-week mark. It did take some time from then to build up my fitness again, but in terms of actually getting my day-to-day routine back to what it was before surgery entirely, that was probably the point at which I’d say it happened.

The 18-Month Mark: Dealing with Scar Tissue and Lingering Swelling

Fast forward 18 months and I am pretty much where I want to be. There are a couple of things to note here though.

Scar tissue does not have the same elasticity as skin and muscle tissue, so while my scars have fully healed and my range of motion is back to normal, there are occasions when I will reach overhead for example and still feel a slight pull around my chest.

It doesn’t hurt and doesn’t restrict me in any way at all – it’s just something I occasionally notice.

Also, the swelling around the abdomen – while mostly gone – is probably the one thing I can still feel and wish it would go a bit quicker.

It is usually a bit worse in the evenings than in the mornings, and also when I eat a heavier diet or have a bit more salt or sugar.

The way my clothes fit doesn’t seem to change so it might just be something under the surface that

Impact Of Tummy Tuck And Gynaecomastia Surgery On My Life

I guess one of the big questions – aside from about the surgery itself – is what has the impact been on my life, or maybe how has it changed since my surgery and recovery?

New Found Confidence

The biggest change is undoubtedly the growth in my self-confidence. Everything else kind of came from that.

I wear proper-fitting clothes all the time now – not baggy or a couple of sizes too big to try to hide my body shape. So I’ve had something of a wardrobe overhaul.

I have become a bit more extroverted too (around the right people).

And I am allowing myself to try new hobbies and new adventures. I have taken up Thai boxing, I have allowed myself to travel solo (because I feel more confident as a person), and I also felt comfortable enough in a wetsuit to try surfing.

My fitness levels have also gone up. I guess not having that extra weight hanging off me just freed me up to move better.

Temperature Regulation

One of the odd things I noticed is that my body seems to be better at temperature regulation. My arms and legs used to feel really cold almost all the time.

That’s completely evened out and they don’t feel any colder than the rest of me. My working theory is that with less tissue centralised in my torso, it doesn’t need as much circulation in that area so there is better blood flow to my limbs.

I haven’t done any research or anything like that to really look at why, but that’s my working assumption.

Scars From Male Tummy Tuck 18 Month Recovery

The scars have progressed well.

On the sides of the chest going up into my armpits, they are completely smooth and more or less match my natural skin tone.

Towards the middle of the chest and the upper part of my abdomen, they are a bit thicker, lumpier and a bit darker.

This area is prone to a lot more movement I guess – sitting, lying, rolling, standing, walking – which is why.  I expected something like that from early on, but it doesn’t really bother me.

I will be getting the scars tattooed over in the last few months of 2023 so stay tuned for updates on that.

Any Regrets?

Looking at my experience as a whole, I have absolutely zero regrets. The only real negative I had to deal with (aside from that bit about swelling I mentioned already which is also gradually going away anyway), is the short-term hit my fitness took during this. But I’m already well past that and it’s expected with any break from exercise.

Aside from that, I don’t think there’s anything at all I would change about my experience, and I have zero regrets at all.

What’s Next?

This is the last post and video I had planned about my own experience and recovery journey. I will still share some more content, particularly on Youtube, about the surgery itself, and the preparations, and address any questions that come my way.

Plus I will also be focusing a bit more on overall health and fitness content more broadly. I mean I have to know my way around it pretty well to get my health to where it currently is.

So as I wrap up on this specific post, if you are still reading, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!