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Original poster

To ask you to advise me why my stomach is massive

153 replies

samjamsam · 21/09/2020 14:16

I'm really struggling atm. I have a massive stomach - 31-32 inches.

I am a size 10 otherwise due to my massive stomach. I would probably be a size 8 if I didn't have my stomach to fit into clothes. I weigh 7 stones 13 pounds (50.3kg).

I have been to the doctors and had tests for gluten intolerance, cortisol, pregnancy and all came back normal.

My typical diet:
Breakfast: 40g oats, oat milk and 2 strawberries
Lunch: small portion of quinoa or couscous with 1/3 tin chickpeas and 1 banana.
Snack: malt loaf (91 calories) or no snack, very occasionally a treat like popchips
Dinner: e.g. 1 mug of pasta with tomato sauce (olive oil, garlic, 1/2 tin peeled tomatoes) aubergine and ricotta; jacket potato with a tin of beans and cheese

I do a 10-15 min workout in the morning such as a lower body workout, light cardio or abs and do about 8000 steps a day.

Please help!!

OP posts:
lhmua12 · 21/09/2020 14:21

I’m going through something similar. Are you short? I am and my weight tends to fluctuate up to 5kgs per week (50kg-55kg) - it’s a bloated stomach rather than actual fat gain. Overall I’m still the same dress size though.

I haven’t been drinking much water and I’m fairly stressed, so just attributing it to water retention?

My GP carried out lots of blood tests, haven’t had the results back yet. She focused on hormone tests (thyroid mainly but also pcos tests) and usual vitamin deficiencies/full blood count.

jackfruitz · 21/09/2020 14:23

Is it flat first thing in the morning but gets bigger during the day? That can be a sign of food intolerance.

How much ab work do you do? Sometimes it can be overdone and done incorrectly which builds the wrong muscles, make your stomach bulge out.

Have you had a baby? I would check for diastasis recti if so.

Are you carrying more fat around your middle? It might be worth seeing a dietician or nutritionist who can check what percentage of fat you’re carrying on your body. Unfortunately abdominal fat is the hardest to shift! But it can be stress related (you’re more likely to pile on fat around your middle if you’re stressed).

Sorry for all the questions but I have a similar problem to you and my tummy has always been quite big despite weighing the same as you!

Gancanny · 21/09/2020 14:26

I would be asking for a CA125 test if you haven't already as bloating can be a sign of ovarian cancer. Its highly likely that it's not ovarian cancer but as the symptoms can be vague and non-specific it's best to get it ruled out.

emmathedilemma · 21/09/2020 14:26

Do you have any sort of digestive issues that might suggest it's bloating rather than fat? You have a fairly high fibre diet so could be food intolerance related. I test negative for coeliac but bread and pasta really doesn't agree with me in any great quantity.

Veiaola · 21/09/2020 14:27

Same here 🥺 also just had bloods, poop an urine done.

Ishihtzuknot · 21/09/2020 14:42

I have this, I aways look 5 months pregnant when I ovulate too. I do have pcos though so my gp had always told me it’s bloat from this. What are your periods like? Could it be constipation/crohns? Food intolerance is most likely, sometimes they don’t show up first time testing. My niece has a wheat allergy and it took 3 tests to confirm it. Make an appointment with your gp for some tests, as although it’s rare it can sometimes indicate more serious issues.

lhmua12 · 21/09/2020 14:46

Ahh if I’ve randomly developed a food intolerance as an adult, I have NO idea how to go about figuring out what triggers it. What foods should I cut out first?

Sugar00 · 21/09/2020 14:47

I would be asking for an ovarian scan.

AdultierAdult · 21/09/2020 14:48

Have you had a baby in the past? If so did you check for diastasis recti?

Northernsoullover · 21/09/2020 14:49

Definitely the CA125 and ovarian scan.

LockdownLucy · 21/09/2020 14:51

This whole thing about a 30 inch+ waist being unhealthy has made a lot of us worried but theres a lot of us around... not saying it is healthy of course abd you're right to investigate but it's very common. I'm not as small as you but am healthy based on recent blood tests for b12 but my stomach is probably 35-36 inches I'm otherwise fine. 5 foot 7 and 10st 5lbs which makes my BMI normal... my wife nurse at a blood test said it was middle aged spread and didn't seem concerned. I dont look thick I'm fairly curvy... two big babies probably didn't help.

You might just carry weight there more. I've not got any visible cellulite and have very slim thighs and legs, I can circle my ankles with my fingers but just carry weight on the middle.

So I can't give you an answer but I sympathise. If people think this is unusual I often wonder if they've got a tape measure out on themselves recently!

vanillandhoney · 21/09/2020 14:52

Please go to the GP.

I don't want to scare you, but a disproportionately swollen stomach can be as sign of ovarian cancer. Please go sooner rather than later.

Original poster
samjamsam · 21/09/2020 14:52

@lhmua12

I’m going through something similar. Are you short? I am and my weight tends to fluctuate up to 5kgs per week (50kg-55kg) - it’s a bloated stomach rather than actual fat gain. Overall I’m still the same dress size though.

I haven’t been drinking much water and I’m fairly stressed, so just attributing it to water retention?

My GP carried out lots of blood tests, haven’t had the results back yet. She focused on hormone tests (thyroid mainly but also pcos tests) and usual vitamin deficiencies/full blood count.

I'm 5'2.

My stomach is actual fat not bloat (doctor confirmed!)

OP posts:
Original poster
samjamsam · 21/09/2020 14:54

@jackfruitz

Is it flat first thing in the morning but gets bigger during the day? That can be a sign of food intolerance.

How much ab work do you do? Sometimes it can be overdone and done incorrectly which builds the wrong muscles, make your stomach bulge out.

Have you had a baby? I would check for diastasis recti if so.

Are you carrying more fat around your middle? It might be worth seeing a dietician or nutritionist who can check what percentage of fat you’re carrying on your body. Unfortunately abdominal fat is the hardest to shift! But it can be stress related (you’re more likely to pile on fat around your middle if you’re stressed).

Sorry for all the questions but I have a similar problem to you and my tummy has always been quite big despite weighing the same as you!

It's big throughout the day but slightly flatter in the morning. I've never had a baby. Body fat % according to Boots is 19%
OP posts:
PurpleIsTheColour · 21/09/2020 14:54

I have the same problem and mine is related to chronic gastritis and the presence of Helicobacter pilori. Have you seen a gastroenterologist to exclude any stomach problems as the bloating you describe is very similar to what I have? I’m size 6/8 and look 5 months pregnant most of the time due to the gastritis so you have to get yourself checked even if you are only bloated and have no other pains in that area. For someone your weight it’s not normal to look like this and it can indicate an underlying problem that in majority of cases can be easily diagnosed and treated by the right specialist x

augustusglupe · 21/09/2020 14:55

I think if your tummy is fairly flat when you wake up and then just gets more bloated as the day wears on then it's probably an IBS type thing.
Agree with others though that Ovarian cancer needs to be ruled out, esp if your tummy is just big all the time.
I suffer with IBS/Divaticular myself and although I get bloated, I can pretty much stop it in its tracks with the right diet/exercise

Original poster
samjamsam · 21/09/2020 14:56

@vanillandhoney

Please go to the GP.

I don't want to scare you, but a disproportionately swollen stomach can be as sign of ovarian cancer. Please go sooner rather than later.

I have been to the GP who did some blood tests but otherwise just told me to do ab exercises. I am very young- early 20s.
OP posts:
Original poster
samjamsam · 21/09/2020 14:58

My stomach

To ask you to advise me why my stomach is massive
OP posts:
fudgesmummy · 21/09/2020 14:59

Just repeating what other people have already said. Please get checked out.
This time last year I was waiting to see a Gynecologist on the 2 weeks cancer pathway after having a MRI scan for something unrelated.
5 weeks later i had major abdominal surgery following a diagnosis of stage one ovarian cancer. I had a complete hysterectomy, my appendix removed and a ovarian tumour that weighed 50lb.
I thought I was just fat.......

Original poster
samjamsam · 21/09/2020 14:59

If I've already been to the doctor, should I go again?

OP posts:
WiggleSquiggle · 21/09/2020 15:00

If you’ve already had lots of checks done, and it’s been co formed as normal for you, could it just simply be down to your body shape and where you store fat?

WiggleSquiggle · 21/09/2020 15:00

*confirmed

Catsarelush · 21/09/2020 15:03

Yes are you naturally apple-shaped? Some women are.

AngelaScandal · 21/09/2020 15:05

Yes. Specifically ask for a test for CA125 and an abdominal scan.

Original poster
samjamsam · 21/09/2020 15:06

I've only had blood tests- gluten intolerance, pregnancy and cortisol - all came back fine.
The GP checked my stomach and she said it was fat rather than bloat.
I am very skinny everywhere else - I'm only 19% body fat.
Just feel so down about it and want to know how to reduce the size.

OP posts: