Top Surgery Long Term Prep Questions

[Shiranui]

So I'm preparing for double incision top surgery this coming summer and I have some questions regarding maximizing my results. First off, how heavy should you be? I'm at an average weight, but do they reccomend you be a little under for aesthestics or a little over for healing? Also, how much pec muscle should you have? I heard somewhere that more is better, but I don't remember where and I wanna double check that before I go all crazy with the barbell and pushups and such. Should you be on T for a certain amount of time beforehand? And for scar care, what's the best things to do/apply and such?

Thanks for any answers guys, and if you have any extra advice you wanna share that I didn't ask about please share.

[Kreuzfidel]

First off, how heavy should you be? I'm at an average weight, but do they reccomend you be a little under for aesthestics or a little over for healing?

You should ideally be at the average weight and BMI for your age and sex (male).  I don't really understand what you mean about being heavier = healing.  You should be eating a healthy, balanced diet and exercising regularly in the ideal world - apparently, protein intake aids healing, not "heaviness".  I can't imagine that an overweight person is going to heal more easily than an underweight person. 

In my opinion, the less fat you have, the better the surgeon can see what they're doing and excise the appropriate amount of tissue (not to mention minimising the chance of things like dog-ears).

Also, how much pec muscle should you have? I heard somewhere that more is better, but I don't remember where and I wanna double check that before I go all crazy with the barbell and pushups and such.

Ideally, you want a pretty good shape - but massive pecs aren't necessary.  The surgeon would use your muscle shape to determine the best place to make the incision and position the nipples.  A flabby chest isn't going to be helpful IMHO.

Should you be on T for a certain amount of time beforehand?

Every surgeon is different and will probably have different requirements.  I've heard that some prefer for you to be on T for a year or two before surgery - others don't care if you're even on T, as long as you have psychiatric clearance.

And for scar care, what's the best things to do/apply and such?

Well, not stretching the scars to begin with.  Not overdoing things after surgery.  For care (appearance-wise), there are different things that various people use.  Keeping it covered with the indicated dressings for the appropriate length of time, keeping the scabs moist, not picking at scabs, using products like sunscreen if you must be exposed to the sun (I've heard that you should not expose fresh scars to sunlight very often in the beginning), silicone gel applied regularly, etc.

[Shiranui]

@kreuzfidel

Thanks for all the info. Just two questions about your post: first off, for bmi rating should I use male or female numbers? I'm pre-T, but I'll be starting later this month. Is there a certain amount of time on T that'll get you to where you should use the male numbers or do you just estimate? And about what I said about exess weight before surgery: in a few previous surgeries my docs have specifically ordered that I gain a little weight. Maybe that's because I couldn't eat for bout a week, which sucked a lot . I'm glad I won't need to put on any for this one though

[RaymAnthony]

I agree with what the other poster said. As for bmi, I honestly would just estimate, as the number itself isn't really important. You want to be in shape and healthy, that's all! You won't need to gain weight for surgery, but you shouldn't necessarily try to lose weight either unless you're on the bigger side already, as more fat/less definition can increase the likelihood of a less than ideal result (such as dog ears)