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Hi everyone,
I’d really appreciate it if someone could help me understand what’s going on with my belly. Despite having very low body fat, it still pops out noticeably. I have no bloating, gas, or gut issues — it just looks like my abdomen is always protruding. I’ll be sharing Dexa scan reports and photos to back this up.
So as you can see, my belly fat is very low. Yet, my abdomen still sticks out — even first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach after using the toilet. There’s no bloating or digestive discomfort. When I touch my belly, it feels like there’s a thin layer of skin, and underneath that, a sort of “balloon-like” layer pushing outward. It doesn't feel like typical fat.
When I consciously pull my belly in, it flattens — but of course, that’s not natural and only happens when I hold it in.
Throughout the day, especially after meals, it expands even more, and by the evening, it often looks like I have a belly again, despite being lean. Strangers would probably assume I still need to diet.
I’d really appreciate it if someone could help me understand what’s going on with my belly. Despite having very low body fat, it still pops out noticeably. I have no bloating, gas, or gut issues — it just looks like my abdomen is always protruding. I’ll be sharing Dexa scan reports and photos to back this up.
Background:
I was obese for over a decade, but over the last two years, I lost all the excess weight through diet and now weigh 62 kg. My latest DEXA scan shows:- Total body fat: 11.9%
- Belly fat: 8.2%
- Visceral fat: 134 g
So as you can see, my belly fat is very low. Yet, my abdomen still sticks out — even first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach after using the toilet. There’s no bloating or digestive discomfort. When I touch my belly, it feels like there’s a thin layer of skin, and underneath that, a sort of “balloon-like” layer pushing outward. It doesn't feel like typical fat.
When I consciously pull my belly in, it flattens — but of course, that’s not natural and only happens when I hold it in.
Throughout the day, especially after meals, it expands even more, and by the evening, it often looks like I have a belly again, despite being lean. Strangers would probably assume I still need to diet.
What I’m Trying to Understand:
- Why doesn’t my stomach lie flat like others at a similar body fat percentage?
- Could this be due to weak core muscles? Will strengthening my core help flatten it?
- Is this a case of stretched fascia or a weakened transverse abdominis that can’t hold the organs in?
- Could it be diastasis recti? I’ve done the finger test in a crunch position and the abs feel fully connected.
- Do I possibly need surgery, like a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty), to repair or tighten the muscles?
- Is there anything else I might be overlooking?
go start a log and we can help you
