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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel so disgusting and to ask strangers for advice?

194 replies

HarleyQuinnRocks · 04/02/2020 21:48

I am so embarrassed by these pictures, but I have no one in real life I can ask. And I'm too ashamed to visit my doctor, plus I'd just be wasting their time.

I have an underactive thyroid which is managed by medication. I am not overweight in other places, yet my stomach is huge and round, but also saggy.

I have no idea how to even begin to find ways to solve this.

Has anyone had experience with this?

Why is my belly so big when the rest of me is a size 12.

I feel so ugly, disgusting, gross. Tops barely fit me anymore and I'm scared to move in case my top rides up at work and the belly is shown. My coat won't fasten up anymore. I look horrible in everything I wear. I just don't feel happy with my body at all.

Please don't be too harsh with me.

To feel so disgusting and to ask strangers for advice?
OP posts:
SerenDippitty · 19/07/2020 09:54

thyroid

Xenia · 19/07/2020 10:05

Do we know weight and height yet which is often key to these things?

Candyfloss99 · 19/07/2020 10:06

Have you tried losing weight? Does your stomach not go away? To be honest if I put on weight it all completely goes to my stomach and I look like this.

KetoIFWinnie · 19/07/2020 10:22

Do phone the doctor at 8 am!

They haven't looked in to this properly. The doctors don't know what you eat so it's easier to dismiss you. But you know that this needs to be looked in to.

monkeyonthetable · 19/07/2020 10:22

OP, my FiL had a stomach like that, when the rest of his body was slim. He discovered he was coeliac. He cut out all gluten and his stomach just vanished in a few weeks. He lost a staggering amount of weight and swollen flab. It's worth investigating. Does no one harm to be gluten free for a month to see if it helps at all.

Kaiserin · 19/07/2020 10:32

OP, your stomach could be caused by many, many things. It's definitely worth asking your GP in case it is a health issue (insert horror story about giant tumors)
Even if it's "just" a weight thing (still a health issue of some sort, as linked with diabetes), they could and would advise on how to address it. And they would (if they're any good!) congratulate you for taking steps to take better control of your health.

Given you've had kids, the shape is not unusual. From an aesthetic perspective, if you feel bad about it, you could try and "tone" it somewhat by doing some specific stomach muscle exercises (essentially, pulling your tummy in, focusing on the belly button area). Be careful with sit ups (as in, avoid?), if you have "split" stomach muscles (not unusual at all after kids), sit ups could make things worse (you could end up with a hernia! ). There's much better exercises to deal with the postpartum bump.

OldCow1 · 19/07/2020 10:37

Hope your scan was ok OP. Do you know what caused it now?

onwheels · 19/07/2020 10:45

first thought was ovarian cancer screening but discuss this with your gp to see what it could be. sorry to be blunt and hope you can get checked soon.

onwheels · 19/07/2020 10:46

oh d'oh, ive just looked at the date of your op. hope you're all sorted

Thecazelets · 19/07/2020 10:47

@Russellbrandshair

Why would something related to my ovaries cause fat on my entire stomach though?

It’s called “ascites” and it’s build up of fluid

This. Fluid not fat. I would definitely get it checked out.
Splattherat · 19/07/2020 10:51

@HarleyQuinnRocks how are you doing and how was your scan? My stomach is also massive and not dissimilar to yours, I have two children with two vaginal births, I have had an under-active thyroid for years. I have put weight on all over (quite a bit) but also have a disproportionately large sticky out stomach (which I struggle to disguise in clothes). Fortunately I am mid 50’s so the pregnancy comments have stopped (at least to my face).

Loveinatimeofcovid · 19/07/2020 10:54

Is February a typo?

Spidey66 · 19/07/2020 10:57

I had a fibroid so large by the time I had a hysterectomy it was the size of a 7 month pregnancy. Could it be that? Are your periods OK? Though funnily enough, mine were OK until I was on the waiting list for the op. It actually caused me urinary and bowel symptoms. It was a total surprise to me when I got the diagnosis.

Btw I'm fat all over, so it was hidden within all my blubber.

Spidey66 · 19/07/2020 10:59

Sorry just noticed it was an old thread and I suggested fibroids 6 months back.

differentnameforthis · 19/07/2020 11:07

@Loveinatimeofcovid

Is February a typo?
No, this thread was started in Feb
CrazyPuddin · 19/07/2020 11:10

Sorry guys I forgot all about this.
I had a scan done and it came back that it’s just fat. Since then I’ve managed to lose a stone but struggling to lose anymore.
My stomach doesn’t really look any different though i would say.

ddl1 · 19/07/2020 11:11

I have similar issues, and in my case it's due to fibroids (there are possible treatments, but at present I am simply being monitored). Best to check with your GP, as we can't diagnose on the internet.

CrazyPuddin · 19/07/2020 11:13

Also no I don’t drink but I do forget to take my medication frequently.
I’m now taking them into work with me now I’m back in the office so my colleagues can hound me daily about remembering to take them.

Unfortunately I’ve not taken them in about 2 weeks and before that it was on and off as working from home.

Seems a catch 22 that my thyroid issues cause such bad memory yet not remembering to take my medication means that doesn’t get any better.

CrazyPuddin · 19/07/2020 11:14

Also when I got my results I couldn’t even book in with my doctor to discuss the results.
They’d only let me book in with the health assistant to discuss healthy eating.

Gingernaut · 19/07/2020 11:18

Hypothyroidism is notorious for weight gain.

You do need specialist advice from a dietician and possibly a tweak in medication.

Timetospare · 19/07/2020 11:20

@CrazyPuddin
That’s good news, I worked with someone with the same problem and it turned out to be ovarian cancer. She is fine now, but for a long time put her fat tummy down to ‘normal’ weight gain. It was only when she collapsed with stomach pains that her cancer was discovered. Fortunately not too late.

MarioPuzo · 19/07/2020 11:22

This is an old thread but @HarleyQuinnRocks How are you? Hopefully you found the cause of your belly troubles and are now much happier and healthier.

jessstan2 · 19/07/2020 11:24

Your skin looks in pretty good nick. Many of us have developed overhanging bellies during lockdown, even I have a bit and I'm not fat. I don't think an underactive thyroid would cause you to put weight on in specific place though general weight gain is known.

The answer is, of course, exercise for the abdominal muscles. Look them up and start doing them religiously every day. You will be surprised at how quickly you shape up!

Good luck.

CrazyPuddin · 19/07/2020 11:24

I’m good. I’m still not happy with my stomach but I’m learning to love myself a bit more.
I’ve recently bought a proper boxing bag to try and get fitter. And I’m now on slimming world though finding it a struggle.

Anthilda · 19/07/2020 11:26

My tummy was like this for about a year before I found out I had coeliac disease.