Neckzilla shared an update officially announcing his return to training after recovering from injury
In bodybuilding, few physiques stand out like Rubiel Mosquera’s. The Colombian bodybuilder is on a come-up, with his most noticeable feature being a massive neck measuring around 20 inches. In addition to his impressive physique, Rubiel took on the nickname “Neckzilla.” Mosquera’s momentum slowed down recently, as he underwent surgery to fix his umbilical hernia. The surgery was a success, and after three months of recovery, Neckzilla is ready to return to training as if no time had passed.
The Reason Behind Neckzilla’s Absence
Mosquera’s body proportions and bulk are among the most unique to ever step foot on the stage, and one of the most controversial features that rivals his neck and legs is his protruding belly button.
The culprit is an umbilical hernia, a soft bulge near the belly button where abdominal tissue, fat, or intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. According to Mosquera, he underwent the surgery mainly for aesthetic reasons related to competing. Though the symptoms of his hernia weren’t made public, the most common are discomfort, a noticeable bulge, and a sense of weakness around the abdominal wall. All of which could severely impair intense training and everyday activities if left unaddressed.
Fortunately, Rubiel Mosquera has taken the right steps and underwent surgery on December 26.
The Recovery Process
Mosquera didn’t downplay the difficulty of the days that followed. He explained that even basic movements such as sitting, lying down, or getting out of bed were painful during the first week because the surgery directly involved his midsection.
For nearly six days, he slept almost entirely on one side to avoid pressure on his abdomen. Walking was manageable, but any activity that engaged his core muscles proved difficult.
Forced Rest and Unexpected Benefits
While inactivity was frustrating for someone accustomed to intense daily training, Mosquera admitted the downtime provided a rare mental reset after a hectic year filled with competitions, travel, and business obligations.
During recovery, he limited activity almost entirely to rest, playing his PlayStation, eating, and sleeping. He also incorporated a multivitamin regimen to support his healing.
Rubiel Mosquera noted that since he wasn’t moving as much as he used to, his caloric expenditure decreased significantly, and his metabolism slowed, leading him to eat less than usual. Something that seems foreign to a bodybuilder of his caliber.
“Though it helped me disconnect from all that, from everything, competition, everything, and the gym, all that.” Mosquera said. “So it was something that helped me, let’s say the little bit helped me to Well rest from so much stress.”
Three Months Later and Cleared to Train
In a recent Instagram update, Rubiel Mosquera announced that after roughly three months of recovery, he’s officially ready to train again. The post was a signal that his rehabilitation phase had been successful and he’s cleared to resume serious preparation.
Neckzilla’s next event will be at the ExpoFitness Lifestyle in Medellin, Colombia. This will be an exciting opportunity for Mosquera to pick up where he left off and reach even greater heights.
*Featured image via Instagram @neckzilla.official
