Just fat or something else?

[starlilly88]

I'm 5'5, weigh 11st 11lbs, in my 40s and have had kids. I am overweight and have a lower tummy roll but my upper abdomen sticks out too, starts just below my breasts. It all reduces slightly when I do lose weight but I don't understand why my tummy is so huge. A lady in a shop asked me recently when I was due 😞 - I can easily look 6/7 months pregnant. There are so many clothes I can't wear due to the tummy, and even if I lose weight the tummy is still there. Was thinking of asking the GP but don't want to waste their time and for them to tell me to go away because I'm just fat! Only occasional bloating, no food issues, no bowel problems. It's been huge for years but the looking pregnant thing is really getting to me

Go to the doctor.

Besides all the medical reasons which should be excluded before you listen to us lot.......we do change shape as we get older. I'm also 5.5 and store most of my fat in my bum which looks enormous at 11.5 to 12 stone. In order to have a normal size bottom I need to weigh no more than 9.5 stone. Could be the same with your tummy.

I'm the same weight as you and shorter and don't have a protruding stomach. I guess fat sits differently on everyone but it would be worth getting checked out. It could be something simple like a certain food bloating you?

@Shehasadiamondinthesky certainly thought it's where my fat goes first and leaves last. Just depressing only being a bit overweight and looking pregnant. It's been like this for years and I have no symptoms, so I don't think it's anything sinister, hence my reluctance to see the GP. Also thought that as my upper stomach muscles are fairly non existent, tightening them up may help, along with weight loss. Losing weight is a nightmare too, so difficult.

Sadly same here, I think people are alluding that it could be ovarian cancer, but in my case unless I have had it since my eldest was born its just my normal. It does reduce a lot with weight loss but I am always going be very apple shaped sadly.

Get your thyroid function checked and maybe ask for a full blood count. Do you have any other signs of symptoms of anything? Most people get a bit bigger as they get older so it could just be that. X

Thyroid checked last year, with full blood count, no issues. No other symptoms apart from feeling old!

@Featuredcreature like you, mine has got worse with weight gain and has been there since last child was born 10 years ago. My only hope is to try and lose weight and reduce it

google diastasis recti

Interesting on the diastasis recti - certainly ticks a lot of boxes. Had a lot of back pain, hip pain since last birth and no one has been able to find out why. Tried to do the abdominal test but can't feel a lot under the fat. Can feel a hole under my belly button but assuming that's normal. Is it a physio I need to check with?

I think the GP should be able to do that but physio should really know this.
There is also this "bulge" when you do a sit-up or raise a head bulge