Okay so I haven't had Top Surgery yet so I don't know much about it but, Let's say a man goes in to get top surgery,He isn't buff or strong at his chest though. Well after he's done how flat would it be because I've seen many pretty flat? Well then let's say it's flat since I'm not gonna ask 2 questions in different questions. Well once he's fully recovered he starts working out especially bench press. Well a lot of guys when they work out their chest enough they do get pecks. Would the same happen to a FTM after top surgery or would it just stay the same? Also would it be better to be buff enough before you go into top surgery so they can give you pecks? Just wonering. Thanks.

they would most definitely get pecks after top surgery because the muscle is still there. i have pecks after top surgery, so do many others. actually, my pecks showed right away because you could see how defined my chest was (finally!) and now working out more, my pecks are definitely more defined then ever. as for being buff before, it helps because it means less fat there but not required (unless a surgeon asks you to lose weight before surgery). i don't think your results change much either way??? but i could be wrong.

I'm completely flat, and it was done on purpose. I purposefully did not work out my chest at all before surgery, I requested that my surgeon take as much tissue as possible to make me completely flat, and I have done very minimal work on my chest since. I do not want anything that could ever resemble or be confused as breasts on my body. I don't care how buff or toned the rest of me gets, that is the one area I don't work out at all.

If you work out your chest after top surgery, you will get pecs. They aren't removing the muscle. If you have developed your pecs prior to top surgery, you will come out of top surgery with visible pecs most likely. If you want pecs, it is a good idea to go in with them developed so that the surgeon can sculpt you easier, if that makes sense. But it doesn't make too big of a difference IMO unless you are totally jacked.

Some surgeons request that you build your pectoral muscles before top surgery so that the incision line (if you are having DI) can be along your peck line, and if you develop it after surgery the scars will blend in easier and be less visible.

Your surgeon can leave some fat on your chest to make it appear later and a little more like pecs, but most guys try to remove as much fat as possible and work out

After the natural swelling from my surgery subsided I was quite flat. I like to have a toned, masculine body and pecs are a must for me. I work out and now have pretty nice pecs so yes, it is possible to build muscle after surgery.

Tip: ditch weights for calisthenics. My biceps, triceps, shoulders and especially pecs exploded when I put down weights in favor of push-ups and pull-ups. To get your pecs going do diamond push-ups and wide push-ups. When you start you'll only be able to do maybe 1-2 reps of maybe 2 sets but if you commit to every other day you'll be better in no time.

Quote from: CMD042414 on May 20, 2016, 11:29:43 PM
After the natural swelling from my surgery subsided I was quite flat. I like to have a toned, masculine body and pecs are a must for me. I work out and now have pretty nice pecs so yes, it is possible to build muscle after surgery.

Tip: ditch weights for calisthenics. My biceps, triceps, shoulders and especially pecs exploded when I put down weights in favor of push-ups and pull-ups. To get your pecs going do diamond push-ups and wide push-ups. When you start you'll only be able to do maybe 1-2 reps of maybe 2 sets but if you commit to every other day you'll be better in no time.

Thank you this really helped.

Quote from: CMD042414 on May 20, 2016, 11:29:43 PM
After the natural swelling from my surgery subsided I was quite flat. I like to have a toned, masculine body and pecs are a must for me. I work out and now have pretty nice pecs so yes, it is possible to build muscle after surgery.

Tip: ditch weights for calisthenics. My biceps, triceps, shoulders and especially pecs exploded when I put down weights in favor of push-ups and pull-ups. To get your pecs going do diamond push-ups and wide push-ups. When you start you'll only be able to do maybe 1-2 reps of maybe 2 sets but if you commit to every other day you'll be better in no time.

How soon did you start this after surgery?

I dropped down to the girly pushups when I realized my form was terrible and I was using everything but my arms to push myself up in a full pushup. At least I have a goal to shoot for. Have to wait now, though. Part of my dysphoria is my lack of musculature up top despite years of trying pre T so it sucks to sit back and wait.

Quote from: AnxietyDisord3r on May 23, 2016, 05:30:27 AM
How soon did you start this after surgery?

I dropped down to the girly pushups when I realized my form was terrible and I was using everything but my arms to push myself up in a full pushup. At least I have a goal to shoot for. Have to wait now, though. Part of my dysphoria is my lack of musculature up top despite years of trying pre T so it sucks to sit back and wait.

Well I just started calisthenics about 4 months ago. At the time of surgery I was more into weight lifting. I got the all clear to lift at the 7-8 week mark post surgery. It is very important to stick to that rule of thumb because you will stretch your scars! Even push-ups and pull-ups will stretch them in that time frame.

My form was HORRIBLE when I first started and this is after a year of weights. Start with just 3 sets of 3-5 push-ups every other day at first. You'll be surprised how fast you are able to do more. I can do 3 sets of 10 now. I do them with my feet on my bench and my hands on the ground. Forces all of your body weight towards your arms and chest. Against diamond and wide will blow your pecs up.

Trying to gain muscle and tone pre-T was an exercise in futility. Now it's easier. What I love about calisthenics is I can do it anywhere. No equipment necessary. I do have an over the doorframe pull up bar. Pull-ups got my shoulders big. I also work my abs by hanging on the bar and bringing my knees up to my chest.