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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:
Original poster
OliveDreamer · 21/02/2024 12:19

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!

Luckily I've started keeping one. I've taken a picture first thing in the morning and before bed as well as food/drink/activity diary

Half of me wonders whether to call 111 I think they'll just refer me to the gp anyways

OP posts:
Original poster
OliveDreamer · 21/02/2024 12:21

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.)

I agree that it looks like a pregnant belly but nope, never had a baby and currently 26 years old.

I'm still getting my period, positive ovulation tests each month and negative pregnancy tests following the TWW

OP posts:
Cheeesus · 21/02/2024 12:22

Is it much better in the morning or not?

Original poster
OliveDreamer · 21/02/2024 12:24

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.

This is the first time I have heard of these so that will be interesting. Hopefully my GP is a magician and will instantly know and solve all my problems 😅 whilst I very much doubt it, il determined to find the cause

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 21/02/2024 12:28

You need to see your gp and have a pelvic exam asap.

Chewbecca · 21/02/2024 12:40

I had a friend with bloating like this and it was a cyst. It was removed, eventually, not treated as urgent.

SweetBirdsong · 21/02/2024 12:55

OliveDreamer · 21/02/2024 12:21

I agree that it looks like a pregnant belly but nope, never had a baby and currently 26 years old.

I'm still getting my period, positive ovulation tests each month and negative pregnancy tests following the TWW

Show quote history

Awww, well I hope it's nothing serious @OliveDreamer Best wishes! Smile

SmileyClare · 21/02/2024 13:02

OliveDreamer · 21/02/2024 12:19

Luckily I've started keeping one. I've taken a picture first thing in the morning and before bed as well as food/drink/activity diary

Half of me wonders whether to call 111 I think they'll just refer me to the gp anyways

Show quote history

You sound like a great patient 😂

I know you mentioned some body dysmorphia, but you know your own body and how you physically feel and it clearly doesn’t feel “normal” to you so make that clear to your gp as well as how this is impacting you on a day to day basis.

Some doctors can make you feel a bit fobbed off ☹️

There are gynaecological tests that can be arranged but it’s likely your dr will want to rule out constipation, digestive issues, IBS first.

Because you feel well in yourself I wouldn’t treat this as an emergency however seek advice if- nausea, vomiting, sudden change in symptoms, difficulty breathing lying down or abdominal pain.

All the best x

LuxeBiscuit · 21/02/2024 13:04

If it is suspected fibroids or a cyst your GP needs to defer you to a gynaecologist. Highlight that you have been experiencing this for a year and insist that you see a specialist - don't let them fob you off.

justasking111 · 21/02/2024 14:15

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.

Friend had this finally collapsed on a day out shopping. She was mid twenties carrying a melon sized cyst. Off to hospital where they found it.

Original poster
OliveDreamer · 28/02/2024 16:54

Here is your update ....

Went to the gp, didn't look at or touch my stomach, wouldn't even look at the food/health diary or photo'sI've been taking morning and night.

As soon as I said I have regular periods he ruled out anything hormonal related as I am 'young active and have a regular period ... painful periods are completely normal'

He has sent me home with a bottle of laxative and that's all folks. Time to shit it out and see if that fixes the problem 🙃

OP posts:
GrazingSheep · 28/02/2024 17:12

I would get a second opinion.

Floralnomad · 28/02/2024 17:15

I’d also get another opinion and insist on having bloods done including the Ca125 .

LibbyLemoncake · 28/02/2024 17:21

I would also get a second opinion. I believe a lot of these GPs just fob you of these days just to get rid of you, it’s infuriating.

justasking111 · 28/02/2024 17:37

Jesus , well I'm shocked. My GP would have done a full examination of my stomach to start with.

LibbyLemoncake · 28/02/2024 17:39

He didn’t even touch/examine your stomach? Unbelievable 😡

Sunnnybunny72 · 28/02/2024 17:44

Floralnomad · 28/02/2024 17:15

I’d also get another opinion and insist on having bloods done including the Ca125 .

This. You need a whole lot of bloods doing.
Make another appointment with another GP asap and NOT as a pp suggested, with a practice nurse. That's totally inappropriate ( I am one).

Squiginawig · 28/02/2024 17:46

Y

SwordBilledHummingbird · 28/02/2024 17:57

You do need a second opinion, sorry you've been fobbed off.

MumMumMumMumMumMumMum · 28/02/2024 18:11

Definitely get a second opinion. But just to add my stomach looks very like that to the point I look pregnant if I put too much weight on and/or bloat. I carry ALL my weight on my stomach.

CloudySheep · 28/02/2024 18:19

I'm surprised he didn't even touch your stomach. For what it's worth, my stomach looks like that when I gain weight. My back gets fatter too. My limbs never really catch up.

Mummysgogetter · 28/02/2024 18:54

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, since I have been perimenopausal this is how my belly looks mid month and before my period but then sometimes is flat. That’s not fat - that’s bloating.

toomanyleggings · 28/02/2024 18:56

GP for you. That doesn’t look right to me even for bloat

toomanyleggings · 28/02/2024 18:57

Sorry just saw your update. You need a second opinion

PawsisShady · 28/02/2024 19:04

What a twat. I have regular periods... and excruciating ones that if someone had actually looked into I might not have such advanced endometriosis now
I swell like that but only on my period

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