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Life Tips 26/06/2025 18:15

She thought she just 'looked pregnant,' but left sh0cked after uncovering the harr0wing truth behind her stomach issue

Megan Johnson spent four years wondering what was going on with her swollen abdomen
Megan Johnson, a personal trainer from Chattanooga, spent years puzzled by her increasingly swollen abdomen, which often gave the impression of pregnancy. At 28 years old, Megan self-diagnosed her mysterious condition, mainly due to her fear of the high costs associated with medical care and her past experiences with dismissive doctors.
She relied on online research, all while dealing with progressively worse symptoms. Megan believed she had pinpointed the root cause of her discomfort. It turned out to be diastasis recti, a condition that occurs when the gap between the left and right abdominal muscles widens.
In Megan's case, overextending during weightlifting led to this condition, and she continued to focus on core strengthening despite developing hernias. "My stomach was getting bigger and wider," she explained to PEOPLE.
Two years after she first noticed slight physical changes, Megan began experiencing painful bloating and severe abdominal discomfort. Her belly button even changed from an innie to an outie.
Once she discovered diastasis recti, Megan made the choice to manage her condition on her own, avoiding doctor visits. However, less than a year later, she'd gained more than 10 pounds, and none of her clothes fit, despite maintaining a healthy diet and training regimen.
"Not being able to help myself made me feel unqualified to help others," Megan admitted. "It really shook my confidence."
Fast forward to April 2025, Megan turned to TikTok, hoping for feedback from others who might have had similar experiences.
"It was overwhelming," she recalled. "A whole group of women came forward, saying, 'This is exactly what I went through. You look just like I did when I had this.' Once I heard their stories, I realized this might be a bigger issue than I thought, and I decided to get it checked out."
After undergoing tests and scans, Megan's diastasis recti diagnosis was confirmed. However, the doctors also discovered that she had an ovarian cyst the size of a newborn baby (around 48 centimeters).
"I feel a sense of relief now," she said. "What I thought would be a lifelong struggle finally has a solution, and one day, I won’t have to endure it anymore."
On May 22, Megan successfully underwent surgery to drain 27 pounds of fluid from her body. During the procedure, the surgeon had to remove one of her ovaries and a fallopian tube, which Megan had prepared herself for.
By sharing her story, Megan hopes others in similar situations will reach out for professional help sooner.
"Don't suffer in silence," she urged. "Don't hide your struggles out of shame or embarrassment. Most people are doing the best they can, and we can't control what happens to our bodies."

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