To wonder if I'm just fat or there's something else going on

[Thegoodthere]

3 years postpartum. Comfortably a size 10/12 (UK) except for my stomach. I still look about 7 months pregnant. It's so out of proportion with the rest of my relatively slim body that people are constantly congratulating me on my (non-existent) pregnancy. Which is of course rather upsetting.

I can't decide if there's something medical, like a cyst, and I don't have the faintest idea how to start broaching this with my doctor. I've been there a lot over the last 3 years with a lot of medical issues but none that scream "weird abdominal lump". Anyone experienced similar?

Could be diastasis recti? Defo visit your GP though, they will diagnose whatever is going on.

Please don't worry about how to broach it, you've very good reason to go get it checked out to rule out anything serious. If it is a cyst and it's causing stomach distension, its size means it needs to be removed. If it's 'mechanical', like diastasis recti, then you can rest easy and address that! (Btw, if the latter is the case, recommend a biomechanist called Katy Bowman for the right kind of exercises).

Could a physiotherapist diagnose diastasis recti? A private appointment might be affordable and give you information to take with you to the GP.

I know a woman who thought she was carrying a bit of extra weight.
It turned out to be a 8lb tumour growing around her kidney.

DD had diastasis recti following her pregnancies.
There's no NHS treatment for it so she saved and saved(so did we) and paid privately for surgery.
She had it done last year and is so delighted with the results.It has really boosted her confidence.
As an NHS worker for 40 years, I wasn't too happy about 'going private' but as there was no other option and seeing just how happy she is, I've come to the conclusion that sometimes needs must.