Beards Over Barbells

Not much to report with the thighplasty. The right leg took longer to heal than the left, doctor thinks he probably knicked part of the lymphatic system in that leg so the drain came out four weeks to the day after surgery. That’s about twice the average drain time. Not a big deal and chronic lymphadema in that limb will not be a concern, though it’s visibly more swollen than the left leg at the time of this writing (about five weeks out). I’m still holding on to about five pounds of fluid which should gradually dump out over the next 2-3 months. Everthing healed beautifully and should smooth out real nice long-term.

The third and final surgery is on the books and it’s actually the easiest of the three that I’ve elected to pursue: I’m having my chest reconstructed in late March. It’s the shortest procedure (about four hours) with a one-week recovery time. This is admittedly a vanity-based procedure (I used to have HS on my chest as well, but it’s the only area where it’s gone into full remission) but I’ve come this far so I figure I’ve earned the right to be able to walk around shirtless in public without feeling self-conscious.

Goals for the next two months are as follows:

Training: Use the squat as an assistance exercise so as not to aggravate the incisions. Use RDLs/Good Mornings as the main movement on most heavy lower days, which should help nuke the last of my kyphosis issues and strengthen the glutes/hamstrings. I’m more of a quad dominant squatter and would like to try to widen my stance out long-term, so this should help with that as well. Upper body work to remain roughly the same, just continue to work lockout and triceps strength/mass.

Diet: Run PSMF by-the-book and cut to 220 once and for finally. I’m currently sitting at 245-250 at about 22% body fat, and I think I would look a little better and stand a better chance of being competitive at 220-ish. I have been admittedly frenetic about cutting weight and have tried a bunch of stuff over the last few years, including crashing on long bouts of PSMF, packing some serious mass on before the circumferential, carb cycling like crazy, and being generally a bit too orthorexic for my own good. Ketogenic diets seem to work well for maintenance/satiety as well as keeping my HS in check but it takes forever to gain strength using keto. I’m going to give carbs a second shot after the chest surgery and weight cut is over but for now they’re staying out of the picture.

The hard truth here is that historically, any serious fat loss has always gone hand-in-hand with fairly heavy caloric restriction. It’s the one tool that I know works, and I know how to use it to my advantage at this point without getting into any real trouble. The surgery also means I’ll be getting some bloodwork about 2/3 the way through my planned diet so I can keep an eye on things there.

Weekly weigh-ins on what is hopefully my last run of PSMF to follow starting this Saturday.