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Original poster

Unsure if bloated or weight gain (pics included)

78 replies

OliveDreamer · 18/02/2024 15:28

Hello,

I need help identifying if I have put on weight or I am bloated. My stomach has been like this for at least the last year and if there is an issue I want to address it. I think I have body dysmorphia and so I am really struggling to know my body at the moment.

I have deffo put on weight the last 2 years even though I generally healthy and active, however my stomach is so round, I'm struggling to figure out if it is bloat or fat.

My parter and I are TTC and so if there are gut health issues I do want to address it. Alternatively, I don't want to go to a GP, waste their time and look stupid if I have just put on weight and I can't tell.

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 18/02/2024 15:29

I’m no expert but that doesn’t look like weight gain to me. I’d make a gp appointment.

tryingmybestie · 18/02/2024 15:33

It doesn't look like weight gain it looks like bloating. Does your stomach feel hard? To be honest you look heavily pregnant 😳 I don't say that being nasty because you 100% don't look "fat" it looks like heavy bloating! How does your stomach actually feel? Does it ever go down or does it stay bloated.

Floralnomad · 18/02/2024 15:34

Are you standing up straight in those pics as it looks like you are arching your back which is making your stomach look bigger than it is . Either way that does not look like normal weight gain so I’d definitely get it looked at . Do you eat normal sized meals etc or do you feel ‘full’ after little food .

Bassett54 · 18/02/2024 15:50

It's hard to know without being able to feel your abdomen. Some people really do put on weight like this, for others they only look like this when bloated.

Original poster
OliveDreamer · 18/02/2024 16:00

tryingmybestie · 18/02/2024 15:33

It doesn't look like weight gain it looks like bloating. Does your stomach feel hard? To be honest you look heavily pregnant 😳 I don't say that being nasty because you 100% don't look "fat" it looks like heavy bloating! How does your stomach actually feel? Does it ever go down or does it stay bloated.

I know what you mean 😂 I have done several pregnancy tests to make sure, especially as we are TTC but as far as I am aware, unfortunately not pregnant yet.

I don't remember the last time I felt like it had gone down. If I breath in super super hard, I can get it looking somewhat smaller but I think this is where I struggle knowing if it is bloat or now

OP posts:
soupfiend · 18/02/2024 16:02

Doesnt look like weight gain, although some people might put on weight like that

Is there a possiblity the pregnancy tests are wrong for some reason, it does look like a pregnant tum

Original poster
OliveDreamer · 18/02/2024 16:04

Floralnomad · 18/02/2024 15:34

Are you standing up straight in those pics as it looks like you are arching your back which is making your stomach look bigger than it is . Either way that does not look like normal weight gain so I’d definitely get it looked at . Do you eat normal sized meals etc or do you feel ‘full’ after little food .

I tried to stand as straight as possible whilst also avoiding getting my face in the shot.

I will quite often have smaller portions than my partner but I don't hold back if I'm hungry and pasta is on the menu.

My stomach will look worse even if I have a bowl of cereal or 1 slice of toast so I'm unsure. I have often wondered if it was gluten related but when I have tried to cut that out of my diet, I've not noticed a significant difference

OP posts:
Gunpowder · 18/02/2024 16:04

I’d visit the GP too, just in case. Maybe it’s some sort of intolerance but I’d want to rule out anything more worrying. The rest of you looks too slim for it to be weight gain.

FabFebHalfTerm · 18/02/2024 16:05

You need to see your GP, that's not simply weight gain. You look pregnant (I see you're TTC, so hopefully you will be soon, but you need to get this seen to first.

FabFebHalfTerm · 18/02/2024 16:05

How long did you cut the gluten out for?

Original poster
OliveDreamer · 18/02/2024 16:10

Thank you all for the advice! I'm going to book In an appointment with the GP and just get checked out to be sure 😊 Will continue with the baggy jumpers and comfy leggings for now

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 18/02/2024 16:24

Don’t cut out gluten in case you need testing for coeliacs , you need to be gluten loaded to take the test .

Valtine2 · 18/02/2024 16:37

You look slim. Agree with the other poster that's how a pregnant belly forms defo not bloating. You need to see a GP ASAP.

WhoaJayShettybambalam · 18/02/2024 22:13

@OliveDreamer will you let us know what the GP says?

justasking111 · 18/02/2024 22:16

Absolutely see the GP

Toppppop · 19/02/2024 15:09

Have you come off the pill to ttc?

May be hormone related

Original poster
OliveDreamer · 21/02/2024 11:15

Have attempted to get an appointment with my GP and the earliest I can be seen is next Wednesday .... another week of not knowing 😅

OP posts:
nomoretoriesforme · 21/02/2024 11:36

I had similar looking belly and it turned out to be large fibroids on my uterus. I had laparoscopy to remove them and my belly has deflated. Definitely go to GP.

FabFebHalfTerm · 21/02/2024 11:39

@OliveDreamer

anotger week. Feels like forever doesn't it, but at least you're not in pain with it.

let us know how you get on!

SweetBirdsong · 21/02/2024 11:50

Yeah it looks like bloating, as you don't look 'fat.' As pps have said, you look about 6 months pregnant (sorry!) I have a friend who looked like you several years ago, and it was 2 years after the birth of her baby. Oddly, she was slim-ish (and had lost all the baby weight) by the time the baby was 6 months old, then this 'bloat' came in randomly.

She was about 36 by now. There seemed to be no explanation for it, but she got sick of people saying 'how far along are you?' 😖

She changed her eating habits, and cut out starchy foods and things like potato and pasta and bread, and went on a white meat diet. Still doesn't eat red meat, though she started to eat the other stuff again a bit more. After another 6-8 months, the 'bloat' went. Never came back.

Have you had a baby recently? (Within the past 3 years @OliveDreamer ) I know you are TTC, but have you had a baby before? And what age are you? (sorry to ask.)

PragmaticWench · 21/02/2024 11:55

Could you get in to see the practice nurse before next week? Keep the GP appointment as well.

teekay88 · 21/02/2024 12:00

If it helps I have very similar issues with my stomach. It's where I tend to put on weight and so I sumx am unsure myself. However I have made a few changes to things lately (cutting dairy etc) and I'm fairly certain my tummy (which looked similar) was bloating out. If you have any digestive issues alongside then that may be a clue. My instinct is this is bloating not weight gain as it's not evenly distributed

Blabla81 · 21/02/2024 12:01

I’ve had a tummy like this for a year now - have lost a bit of weight but just couldn’t seem to lose the tummy - recently have found out I have a melon sized fibroid (about 15cm measurements) in the wall of my uterus. The equivalent of almost full term pregnant apparently. I was like “oh so that’s why”. Now waiting to see the consultant to work out what to do. Am hoping for a hysterectomy.

SmileyClare · 21/02/2024 12:06

There are a few ways to identify bloating vs fat in this article. Might be helpful whilst you’re waiting for an appointment.

Its reassuring that you don’t have any other symptoms- inc pain so I would not .get too overly anxious when reading “possible causes of abdominal bloating”

Bloating vs. Fat: How to Tell the Cause of an Enlarged Belly

Understanding the differences between stomach bloat and belly fat can help you determine the cause and take appropriate interventions.

https://www.healthline.com/health/bloating-vs-fat

SmileyClare · 21/02/2024 12:13

One benefit of having to wait a week for your doctor’s appointment is that you can go fully prepared 😬

Keep a diary for a week of what you eat and drink each day (as usual)
Note any increases in bloating and time of day
And track bowel movements over the week.

You’ll probably be asked these questions so it would be handy to have your answers ready!

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