Bloat, Fat (or both)?

[Zhaylin]

My husband is concerned about me as are my kids. But not majorly so. About 3 years ago, I saw my family doc at my husbands insistence. “Am I bloated or am I fat?” I asked him as I showed him my stomach. He seemed a little concerned and recommended me to a gastroenterologist (? stomach doctor).
After a whole lot of nothing, I pretty much gave up on the entire thing. I have gastroparesis (slow emptying stomach). For the first time in years, my bowels have been perfect this past week. And yet I feel even more bloated AND fat.

No one answered my original question, so I am embarrassing myself and taking my image to the internet. I’m in a bikini. If such images aren’t allowed (or the risk of blinding the innocent is too great), I won’t question the deletion of this thread.

The terrible photoshopping is to hide the discolored door and wall as well as fly spots

For specifics, I *am* “fat”. I weigh 140 at 5’5”. Yet, I can make out my ribs and my stomach looks like some misshapen beer belly. I do not drink alcohol (near zero tolerance). Is it normal for ones stomach to protrude so much?

 

[The Cat]

have you been checked for fibroids?

 

[Zhaylin]

Nope. Not really “checked” for anything. More or less just a whole lot of questions and then a liquid diet for nearly 3 months. I lost 15 pounds, while on it, but I don’t really remember the bloat going away.
I think I’m going to have to insist on, at the least, an ultrasound. No one even bothered to do that.

 

[The Cat]

Get checked for fibroids too.

 

[Zhaylin]

What does that entail? Hmmm... gonna go google now.
Thank you.

 

[Zhaylin]

It better not be fibroids or I will be HIGHLY upset.
Back in 2000, I started getting stricken with debilitating lower back pain around the time of my period. It was so bad my hubby ordered an MRI (or CT- can’t recall now). It showed nothing.
I went to my OBGYN think endometriosis.
But once I started Prozac for anxiety, I noticed the back pain pretty much disappeared. Hmmm. Curious, I thought.

It was around TS time though, that I started moving less and less. The pain would still randomly show up.
Then I started sitting on my legs because my thighs hurt so much. Went to Dr’s who ordered X-Rays. Meh- a little bit of arthritis but nothing more.


Now I walk with a limp because I’ve messed my knee up from my weird sitting habits.

It would be really nice to finally be able to say AHA!, but life seldom works out that way lol.
Now to find a competent doctor.
When I turned 40, my OB said I only needed a pap once every 5 years from there on out (but a yearly mammogram). I don’t think I trust her anymore after hearing otherwise.

Anyhow.... sorry for rambling.

**EDIT**
Oops. Forgot a link I found which contributed to the rambling rant.
Can Fibroids Cause Weight Gain? - CareNet Medical Group

 

[Greed]

did you ever used to weigh a lot? just looks like loose skin to me. i know pregnancy can do this to a degree too but yeah it can be compounded by having been overweight too at one point. i'm not a medical professional though.

 

[Norrsken]

What other symptoms do you have?

 

[Zhaylin]

I was underweight until I hit my 30's.
I was so tiny in Middle School, that a teacher used to follow me to the restroom because she was certain I was making myself throw up. To this day, I'm still a little self-conscious if I have to go pee after I eat.
High School wasn't much better. People asked me if I did drugs or if I had cancer or AIDS.
By the time I was 18, I finally weighed 98 pounds and I pretty much stayed there.
I had 4 kids. I got up to about 120 with each of them, and after each of them I went right back down to 98.

I've been constipated almost my entire life. I used to squat on the toilet seat when I was a kid. Now I have to... TMI warning:

use my thumb to press down on the blockage from the inside of my vagina.

I didn't learn that trick until around the age of 23-ish.

Way more than anyone would ever want to know:

I got pregnant one right after the other: 1992, 94, 95, 96. It took a lot out of me but my teeth suffered the most. I had no money and no insurance. After my last kid, I went out of state to spend a few months with my grandmother. She found a shady and well intentioned Dr. Over the course of a month, he removed each and every one of my teeth. I needed a root canal but my grams didn't have the money either. She worried that when the kids and I returned home, my teeth would get worse and worse, so out they went. The healthy along with the bad.
I got dentures but never took to the lower ones, so I don't use them. I wear the uppers all the time- even in my sleep.

As you can probably imagine, food is sometimes a problem. I can eat foods like steak and cooked veggies, canned fruits and such.
That was in 1998. At around the same time, I was diagnosed with duodenitis and reactive hypoglycemia as well as vertigo and gallstones.

As the years passed, I became more and more unable to eat fruits and veggies because of stomach pain and acid reflux.
About 6 years ago, I drove myself to an ER, in severe pain, and insisted they remove my gallbladder. They did and I drove myself home the next day.
THEN, I had severe diarrhea any time I ate anything lol
About 3 years ago, the diarrhea disappeared and the bloat kicked in hard core (I was put on Cymbalta at that time, which can constipate you). I had medical tests done and I have ??? a slight sensitivity to sugar and a couple other things. No Crohns or Celiac. No more reactive hypoglycemia.

Then I had an endoscopy and another a couple years after that. No duodenitis, which makes no sense because I still cannot eat cucumbers or marshmallows without severe pain (as well as other foods associated with duodenitis)*. I do, however have gastroparesis- but not to a disabling degree.

My diet isn't varying by much... I eat the same things until I can no longer tolerate something or I burn out, then I switch to something else for many months, rinse and repeat.
But, I tend to listen to my cravings and moods. If I'm angry and have low energy, I tend to crave meat. Other times, I crave weird stuff like boiled peanuts lol.
I have to avoid fiber.
Currently, I've been eating Ramen for breakfast (cereal and oatmeal started causing too much pain). I snack on cracker chips (Ritz Toasted Chips) or potato chips throughout the day. For dinner, I usually have a Burger King or Taco Bell (grilled chicken, fries or rings- or a burrito). Before bed, I eat Vienna Sausages (a new weird craving lol) or drink a Boost.

I have a VERY low thirst drive. I'll drink either one 16 ounce bottle of water or soda throughout the day. When Speedway's machine is working, though, I have a 64 ounce Frozen Coke. When it's not, I drink a large frozen coke from BK. So, c 80oz fluids on a great day; c 36oz lately.

*When I eat something I shouldn't (OR I skip too many meals), it feels as though someone punched me in the gut right below where the ribs meet. I will double over.
**My blood work always comes back excellent, with the exception of D.
***I hate going to the Dr. I once went 10 or 12 years between pelvic exams. When something becomes worrisome, I'll see a Dr, who then refers me to a different one, who refers me to another until I give up for another several years.

 

[Maou]

Do you take any vitamins? Have you ever tried probiotics (greek yogurt, kombucha, kevita)?

Usually its harder to pass bowel movement if you eat zero fiber, but you can get fiber without eating anything (that tasteless supplement you add to water. Fruit like dried figs have a LOT of fiber, as do blueberries. Not eating fiber is causing the bowel problems. Also, consuming black coffee will loosen you up.

 

[Zhaylin]

Thanks [MENTION=37565]Tenebris[/MENTION]. I'll have to ask a Dr about that. I thought zero fiber meant exactly that- no fiber in any form or fashion.
I've taken many, many supplements over the years lol, but I'm currently just taking Cranberry w/ C. Because I have such a low thirst drive, I pee on the low side of normal and it tends to burn without the Cranberry (no UTI or anything though).

My stomach is very weird about things. I can't take iron or Vitamin C without significant stomach pain. I can't eat yogurt without "vurps" (vomit burps lol) because of my reflux (I also have to avoid citrus and most fruits and vegetables for the same reason). I've not tried a probiotic pill though. The ones I've seen are just too darn expensive. I'll look around some more though.

 

[Maou]

Thanks [MENTION=37565]Tenebris[/MENTION]. I'll have to ask a Dr about that. I thought zero fiber meant exactly that- no fiber in any form or fashion.
I've taken many, many supplements over the years lol, but I'm currently just taking Cranberry w/ C. Because I have such a low thirst drive, I pee on the low side of normal and it tends to burn without the Cranberry (no UTI or anything though).

My stomach is very weird about things. I can't take iron or Vitamin C without significant stomach pain. I can't eat yogurt without "vurps" (vomit burps lol) because of my reflux (I also have to avoid citrus and most fruits and vegetables for the same reason). I've not tried a probiotic pill though. The ones I've seen are just too darn expensive. I'll look around some more though.

Usually your stomach acts up if you're eating too much of a single thing that's acidic at once. So mix things up, literally. Avoid salt/sodium. For a diet to take effect, it has to go on for a week or so so your body can adjust. You not eating fiber will cause your liver to not release the chemicals to make movement easier. Which is what causes constipation. Its the same reason cats eat grass when they have stomach aches. It helps with indigestion. Also, magnesium and potassium etc is important. Eat nuts if you have them. These help your muscles (including intestines) to work better. Caffeine is great too, just don't drink on an empty stomach.

 

[Zhaylin]

Thanks again, [MENTION=37565]Tenebris[/MENTION]
I love nuts but can't eat them (literally- I have no lower teeth and only false upper ones).
Coffee tends to cause excessive reflux (as does chocolate), but it does make me go to the restroom lol. I'll start playing around with that and try to find one that doesn't kill the reflux but is still effective.

 

[Ace_]

Definitely doesn't look normal. I hope you don't have a tumor in there. Women don't usually accumulate so much fat on the belly (if it is just fat).

 

[Peter Deadpan]

A few things:

- The lower bit of your stomach looks normal for a mom. The protrusion from the top looks less normal.

- I can almost guarantee that you have weak pelvic floor muscles and that is causing MUCH of your issues, especially with regard to elimination. I would seek out a specialist who can teach you exercises to rebuild your strength.

- I apologize for being blunt, but your diet is destroying you from the inside out. Anyone with chronic digestive issues should eliminate as much sugar and grains as possible. Grains break down into sugar, and sugar is highly inflammatory. This causes swelling, mucous, and surface inflammation. The domino effect can be very serious. We do need sugar, but you will get what you needed from fruits and vegetables. If that is too hard on your stomach, I would start with small servings that have been cooked and pureed. If you can't eliminate all grains, then commit to only consuming rice and corn, no wheat. This means you can still have corn tortillas and chips, but READ THE INGREDIENTS because many are a blend of corn and wheat. Donkey brand chips are my go to. Polenta is also a lovely, rich addition to your diet that is a nice treat when you want to enjoy something creamy/buttery/cheesy. It's not particularly healthy, but this is about compromise and life. If you "must" have bread, have sourdough (from a local bakery, not a mass producer). Sourdough bread has an extensive rise time and is somewhat "pre-digested" in the process. Just don't eat it all the time.

- You need more water, like waaay more water. I have this problem too, and I notice SO MUCH improvement with my digestion when I drink more water. If you don't like water, you'll have to train yourself to by flavoring it with sliced fruits or extracted juice, or drink tea. Do not add sugar, just choose sweeter or more enjoyable flavors.

- An ultrasound certainly wouldn't hurt.

I am not a medical professional, just someone who cares and knows a bit about this stuff.

 

[Luminous]

If you try eating more fiber, increase the amount you eat slowly.

 

[cascadeco]

I can't comment on the shape of the stomach, as people accumulate weight in all sorts of ways; some women put it on in their stomach, others in their hips, others evenly distributed... it's so variable. And as we get older our shapes change as all of this happens - and there's no single way this goes for female or for male.

I will say, as others have said, that your diet is ... fairly bad. I realize a lot of this is probably due to all of your experiences and diagnoses and issues over the years, though, and things you are unable to eat for various reasons, and so on, so I don't have any specific advice, nor am I the person to offer it -- I think though speaking with professionals in depth about how to go about getting a healthier diet, given all of your issues, is something you should really prioritize. Other than that.... drink water!! And more water!! I don't care if you're not thirsty... water is essential. Force yourself if you need to.

 

[Zhaylin]

Wow. Thanks, everyone. I was just thinking, earlier tonight, that I have to accept that corn syrup is not good for me. I had a frozen coke for dinner and I bloated nearly straight away.

I do have some sort of pelvic floor dysfunction. But my kegels are in perfect order. I must have some sort of anismus, but aren't those the same muscles?

It does look like I'll be going back to a mostly liquid diet and cutting out my soda again. It didn't seem to do a perfect job, the last time I went on it, but who knows- perhaps it will go better this time. I'll also go back to reading labels and getting rid of high fructose corn syrup in everything I consume.
It'll have to wait until I have my full allowance to work with (2 more weeks). I'll use this time to research healthy alternatives. There is a ridiculous amount of sodium in the Campbells soup I lived on last time.

 

[Fidelia]

I know everyone carries weight differently, but some of that does not look like it's fat. However, you also can gain fat from hormonal imbalances and inflammation as a result of gut issues, and I wonder if that's something you could investigate. It appears that you naturally would have slim arms and legs anyhow, but if it was normal throughout your adult life to be slim, I'd guess that your body is calling out for attention right now.

If your gut is acting up (which reflux, difficulty losing weight, constipation, and other things you mention would suggest), that's the first thing to address because it causes a cascade of other health issues.

Limit sugar so good bacteria have a better chance than bad, look into pro biotics and pre biotics, take psyllium husks a couple times a day as that ensures you drink more water, and it provides fibre to bulk up stool, and consider cutting inflammatory foods and slowly adding them back in:. Gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn etc. You may discover what is doing it and then it's fairly easy to cut that out when you look or feel a lot better when you don't have it. Having lemon water throughout the day is another way to get more water. And even though it's not a perfect fix, even drinking carbonated water drinks like Bubbly are better than not having enough fluids.

I gained about thirty pounds in water before I was diagnosed as celiac. After quitting gluten, the weight came of very quickly. Unfortunately as time has gone on, I've developed other sensitivities, and have concluded that the underlying issue is leaky gut. Read up about that as it is important to address these things before you get secondary health issues to deal with.

I understand wanting to eat food that feels good to eat and have also found at times that I can tolerate some junky stuff better than other things so it becomes tempting (I am off gluten, dairy, some veggies and fruits, quinoa, rice, most meat, soy and eggs, not because I want to be, but because my body has become hypersensitive. Had I understood what was going on sooner, I wouldn't be in this boat.) I think junk food creates more complications in the long run because it starts up an inflammatory response and also contains a lot of additives that make it harder for your body to work smoothly.

Do you have a lot of stress in your life, or emotional stuff that isn't getting addressed? Those things can cause you to produce cortisol, which make it difficult to lose weight even if you are eating carefully.

If you haven't gotten your thyroid tested, that also affects water retention, bloat, and metabolism and stresses your body, slowing down all its functions. Constipation would be consistent with hypo thyroid too.

It takes guts to put yourself out there like this, and I know how distressing it is to have your body change in a way that feels like you have little control over. You may already have considered some of the things I've suggested, but I'm just throwing whatever out there that I think could be paths to investigate.

 

[Fidelia]

I've also found that making soup of my own (especially that has homemade bone broth in it), and cooking up staples ahead of time so it's easy to put together a great looking, tasty meal in just a few minutes helps a lot. I've lived on a liquid diet for awhile before in an attempt to make digestion easier, so I feel ya!