Dr. Mike, co-founder of RP Strength and competitive bodybuilder, recently underwent a brutal physique-altering surgery — not for vanity, but to correct a long-standing consequence of years of bulking and yo-yo dieting. In this candid breakdown, he shares what led to the surgery, what the recovery was like, and why it’s not a shortcut — but a last resort for a specific kind of problem.
TL;DR
- Dr. Mike had excess skin and fat cells surgically removed from his lower back after years of extreme bulking.
- Surgery was not taken lightly — the recovery was painful, messy, and deeply taxing.
- The real cause? Overshooting bulks and adding too many fat cells that never go away, even after reaching single-digit body fat.
What Led to the Surgery?
Despite being shredded by most standards, Dr. Mike couldn’t shake off stubborn love handles — a result of years spent at over 270 lbs on a 5’6” frame. The issue wasn’t body fat percentage anymore; it was that his fat cells had multiplied beyond his body’s ability to shrink them through diet or drugs.
He explains how fat cell hyperplasia (cell multiplication) happens when you gain too much fat too fast. These new fat cells don’t disappear when you lean out — they just deflate, and they’re always ready to refill. Combine that with stretched-out skin, and you’ve got a permanent visual problem that diet alone can't fix.
The Reality of Recovery
The surgery removed roughly four pounds of skin and fat — but the process was far from glamorous. Drains, diapers, nonstop bleeding, nerve pain, and days of not being able to wipe himself or even poop normally were part of the deal. He lived in a hotel covered in gauze and bodily fluids, unable to train, move freely, or sleep properly for weeks.
He describes the first three days post-op as more mentally and physically taxing than any hardcore diet phase he’s ever done. This wasn’t a shortcut. It was a consequence — and a last resort.
Is Surgery Worth It?
For him, yes. The procedure restored his confidence and brought balance to a physique that never quite looked right despite years of hard work. But he warns others: this is not a decision to make lightly. It’s expensive, painful, and recovery is slow. Even early results take months to fully show, and scars are permanent.
Dr. Mike also reflects on what it means to be a fitness influencer and undergo cosmetic surgery. For him, it's not hypocrisy — it’s using every tool available to improve his body, from training and diet to surgery. He encourages others to take full ownership of their bodies and make informed choices based on long-term outcomes — not Instagram perfection.
The Bigger Message
Dr. Mike’s brutal honesty cuts through the noise: surgery isn’t an easy way out — it’s the price of previous mistakes. His story is a cautionary tale for lifters who bulk carelessly, ignore long-term consequences, or assume everything can be reversed naturally. Sometimes, you can’t out-diet your decisions — and that's when science (and scalpels) step in.
He ends with a simple message: make your own informed choices. And if you’re ever tempted to judge someone for surgery, walk a mile in their drainage-soaked adult diapers first.
