Anyone else just "living with" a bloated belly?

[stirling]

I'm nearly 51, on hrt and simply look pregnant all the time. Yes my bowels are truly messed up with long term antibiotics for bladder problems.
I've had tests for ovarian cancer etc. It's just so depressing. I'm size 12-14 & look stupid in everything I wear

Anyone in a similar situation or have experience in making their bloated belly settle down?

Primark suck in pants help! As do higher waisted jeans.
I have diastis rectis and have a hideous stomach.

Me too. For years. When I had my first child 14 years ago, maternity jeans were a revaluation and source of joy!

I have done numerous anti Candida diets. Am now working on a nutrition programme which started with lots of tests - bloods/bowl/digestive enzymes. Nothing screamed bloating apart from having low digestive enzymes - but ai have been taking these for two months now and no difference.

Sorry I can’t be more helpful. I find it hugely upsetting as it makes me look fatter than I am (I am a bit fat!). Plus it makes clothes v difficult - esp trousers.

Shall we team up to play detective? Thanks for posting this. In a funny way it’s nice to know I’m not alone.

Enormous tummy signing in! The rest of me isn't too bad but I also look pregnant all the time. I haven't had a discernible waist since 1996.

For a long time In my early 20s. Dunno why, or why it got better.

Thanks for chipping in everyone. Helps to know I'm not alone.
peoniesarejustperfect I was just about to embark on an anti candida diet, reluctantly... Interesting to hear it hasn't really worked for you. What was the longest period of time you were on it for?

I think i had a slightly flatter tummy when I did the plant paradox diet for 3 months (lectin free). It made sense... Lots of veg, that's what we're constantly told to eat, vegan... I'm ALWAYS choosing the "healthy" option on a menu.

Im about to try choline supplement. Supposed to help resolve a fatty liver which can cause bloat...
What else are you trying? Very happy to team up on this one!

Thanks Cameronnorrieisabitofalright for the tip about the suck in pants. I am so naive I didn't even realise that these were a thing. I have just ordered some from M&S. I always look much worse in skirts, or anything with an elasticated waist. Shame, as those as the comfiest clothes!!

Sorry if you've already tried all the usual diet things but do you eat bread and other baked things, much sugar, much processed stuff? It can make a very big difference for some people.

Yep! I do find having the rught clothes, loose fit, makes a huge difference.

Sucks eh. Especially the “are you pregnant” idiots. “No, I’m infertile, the belly relates to medical problems moron”

I am in this situation too. I've been eating very little this month, just one small portion of food (lentils or veg) per day, weight has come off but not in the abdomen area so it looks more exaggerated. I have had doctors checking I'm not pregnant in the past because they obviously saw that too.

Oh gosh I'm so sorry others go through this nonsense too. Yes the whole wheat thing aggravates, but so do simple vegetables or fruit. I've heard about a carnivore diet but that just seems absurd to me

I had this when extremely stressed. I had a lot going on - depression / anxiety, full on job plus part time study. Didn't have a solid poo for about a year and constantly bloated.

It has 100% resolved now my MH is better and I've got my qualification from the studying.

But at the time it wasn't possible to resolve without jacking my career in / putting on hold.

Really interesting, I've read about the stress connection..

Me - I was just about to post 'how the fuck do i get rid off my bloated belly' and saw your post. I've always bloated pre-period but now I'm perimenopausal I have the bloat for longer and more frequently as my cycle (still having periods) is shorter.

Mine has absolutely stuff all to do with what I eat and everything to do with hormone fluctuation. Not on HRT yet though - holding off on that as a last, forlorn hope as I know HRT makes the bloat worse in some people.

My only consolation is that people are still saying 'oh congratulations, when's your next one due' so I obviously don't look the haggard 51 I actually am.

How does one tell if one is bloated or just stores a lot of fat in that area?

As in, how do you know if it's a medical issue or it's just that you deposit fat in that particular area whilst someone else deposits it on the arms or whatnot?

What worked for me is replacing ordinary supermarket bread with sourdough or rye bread and cutting down on baked goods in general, cutting out wine (vodka doesn't bloat me). I had the flattest stomach on keto also on juicing only for 7 days. Beans, pulses, yeast, soy, sugar, wine, processed food, beer all bloat me so much. I did FODMAP which was hard but I also discovered I'm sensitive to apples, onion and chicory root as well as fake sweeteners.

@ouch321 I know I'm bloated because as soon as I get my period I go down a dress size. My stomach also swells up / feels inflated/hard . The fat just jiggles

Bread is a killer for me, I swell up, even my wrist and ankles swell

Also I cant seem to tolerate fruit very well.

Mine turned out to be (severe) endometriosis. Google "endo" belly.

Thanks everyone, food for thought

Just posted about my bloated belly, just depressing. Can't wear trousers, skirts, most jeans, tight tops. I live in baggy clothes, joggers and leggings. Swimwear is difficult, can only wear a swim dress now. Without the belly I'd be size 10-12. With it, I'm size 14-16. Mine has been like this for years but find it hard to accept my shape when I see much bigger women with flat stomachs. How does that work?! And the big belly apple is also the worst shape for health so worried about that