The feeling of a swollen belly, a more projected abdomen and discomfort with body contouring are increasingly frequent complaints in clinics. Although many people automatically associate these changes with fat accumulation, this is not always the cause.

According to plastic surgeon Dr. Josué Montedonio, member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, different factors can alter the aesthetic perception of the abdomen, including abdominal distensiongas, food intolerances, digestive changes, sagging, abdominal diastasis and excess skin.

“Many people arrive uncomfortable with a bloated or bulging belly and already believe that it is localized fat or something that requires surgery. But not all abdominal changes are fat and not every situation is surgical. A good assessment is essential precisely to understand the real cause”, he explains.

Abdominal distension is not always linked to fat

According to the doctor, digestive changes can also directly impact body perception and abdominal contour, especially in patients who live with bloating, gas, poor digestion or food intolerances.

“The abdomen can vary a lot throughout the day. There are people who wake up with a normal belly and end the day with a feeling of bloating, discomfort and significant abdominal enlargement. This is often more related to abdominal distension than to fat itself”, he states.

Despite this, Dr. Josué Montedonio reinforces that the objective is not to treat digestive issuesbut help the patient understand that different causes can change the appearance of the abdomen. “Sometimes, the patient seeks an aesthetic procedure believing that it will completely solve the problem, when, in fact, there is also an associated functional or digestive issue”, he explains.

Diastasis and excess skin also alter the abdominal contour

Another point often confused with fat is abdominal diastasis, characterized by the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles, a very common situation after pregnancy, large fluctuations in weight or intense weight loss. “This significantly alters the shape of the abdomen and can create the feeling of a projected belly even in patients with a low percentage of fat”, highlights Dr. Josué Montedonio.

Furthermore, post-bariatric patients or who have undergone significant weight loss can also develop excess abdominal skin, which interferes with both aesthetics and quality of life. “Often it’s not just a visual issue. Excess skin can cause physical discomfort, diaper rash, difficulty exercising and a significant emotional impact”, he says.

Digestive health and self-esteem can go hand in hand

Although plastic surgery and digestive health are different areas, Dr. Josué Montedonio reinforces that there is an important relationship between well-being, body perception and self-esteem. “When a person lives with bloating, abdominal discomfort and discomfort with their own body on a daily basis, this also affects self-esteem, clothes, routine and quality of life”, he points out. Therefore, the doctor warns of the importance of avoiding self-diagnosis and seeking individualized assessment before any procedure.

When to seek a medical evaluation

According to the specialist, persistent changes in the abdominal contour, frequent feeling of bloating, excess skin after weight loss or suspicion of diastasis are situations that deserve adequate evaluation to understand the origin of the problem. “The most important thing is to understand the cause of the abdominal change before looking for any aesthetic solution or procedure”, concludes Dr. Josué Montedonio.

By Daiane Bombarda