This Is So Cool! My Stomache Is Flattening.

[sandsurfgirl]

I have had a terrible time losing weight for about 7 years now. Prior to that I never had a weight problem.

Much of my weight has been in my abdomen. I have about 50 pounds to lose. For a long time, when I would sit down, the upper part of my abdomen, near the ribs would stick out and I figured it was just fat and when I lose weight it would go away.

After 8 days gluten free I have lost 3 pounds, but the top of my abdomen is flattening A LOT. I mean it's so noticeable that my tummy looks a bit lopsided from the top the bottom.

I do have weight to lose, but I think that much of my abdominal size is swelling and constant bloating. Woo hoo!

[nmlove]

Isn't that great! I've been the same way. My boys were the ones who had to go gluten-free (back in Oct/Nov). I went mostly gluten-free but it wasn't until recently that I decided to go 100% despite negative bloodwork. I too have slowly gained over the years, especially with the help of three pregnancies, but I've been steadily losing weight without even trying. And I couldn't believe how bloated I was. I just never knew. When I felt bloated I must have been really bloated, lol!

[sandsurfgirl]

A few days ago I was very bloated from still having the withdrawals. I measured my waist and it was 5 inches larger than normal! The next day it went down to normal. This disease is horrible.

[citclear]

Hi, I will soon have the appt with the GI doctor, but have had 'bloating" for the past 26 years. I never associated it with gluten, but noticed that when I laid in bed, got good rest or took some cortef to have the fatigued adrenals all the bloating went away. I have been gluten free for 3 weeks and don't feel any different. How can you really tell if you need to avoid gluten? The bloating is fixable with LOTS of rest, preferably in bed, so how can one tell?

[jenngolightly]

In my family we called it our "pooch". I thought it was normal and a genetic gift (not a happy gift, but something that ran in our family). Once I went gluten-free, that gift went away and my stomach started to flatten! I wonder how many women in my family actually had celiac and not a "pooch"!

[sandsurfgirl]

Hi, I will soon have the appt with the GI doctor, but have had 'bloating" for the past 26 years. I never associated it with gluten, but noticed that when I laid in bed, got good rest or took some cortef to have the fatigued adrenals all the bloating went away. I have been gluten free for 3 weeks and don't feel any different. How can you really tell if you need to avoid gluten? The bloating is fixable with LOTS of rest, preferably in bed, so how can one tell?

That's a tough question. Have you been diagnosed with celiac or did you just try the gluten free diet? Use the forum search to look for threads about gluten withdrawal to see if that might be what is happening to you.

Did you cut dairy and soy? They can be tough to digest on a healing gut and I just poisoned myself with soymilk last night. I don't know if I've been intolerant all along or my healing intestines just could not handle it.

Don't eat the gluten free cookies, cakes, etc. right now until you are healed. Your body needs a simple diet.

If you are not diagnosed celiac and the diet's not working, then maybe it's something else?

[bluebonnet]

yes the same thing is going on with me! i have lost 7 lbs since starting gluten free and 1 1/2" from my waist ... miracle! i want to lose 40 and its all on my waist ... i figured i was stuck with it because of my thyroid. i couldn't figure out why i can't get it off because we eat pretty healthy (of course i do snack on sweets)! but i was shocked the immediate difference around my waist!

congrats ... i hope it keeps droppin' off easily for ya!