Woman Says Not All Belly Bumps Are Normal, Reveals She Never Thought She Needed Surgery

A TikTok user named Kayley Reese has recently raised awareness for a health issue that many women might consider normal -- a bump in their stomach.

The 23-year-old used the platform to respond to a video by another TikToker regarding stomach bumps and inform other women on why they should seek a doctor.

According to Reese, she always had a bump in her belly, but it never bothered her; it was just there. However, as the owner of a clothing store, she had to model the outfits, and the bump would show up in the photos.

PROFESSIONAL HELP

It became more and more noticeable, but just like many women, Reese thought nothing of it, at least until she started experiencing symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and appetite issues.

During a trip to her home in Orlando, Florida, she decided to seek a doctor's opinion after her mother told her that what she was experiencing was not normal.

After undergoing a few tests, Reese was informed that the doctors had found a large cyst near her left ovary, which was the cause of all her symptoms.

The 23-year-old underwent a two-hour surgery, and the eight-inch, seven-pound cyst was removed. According to her, it was filled with two liters of fluid.

WHAT WAS THE CYST?

Reese was diagnosed with a paratubal cyst, also known as paraovarian cyst, which is known for forming near an ovary or fallopian tube but doesn't adhere to an internal organ. She recalled:

"It was the best possible case scenario because they were able to save both my ovaries. When I went into surgery they said they were likely going to have to take out an ovary and my fallopian tube."

SPREADING THE WORD

Thankfully, that didn't happen, but the frightening experience and the video that she saw prompted her to help other women who might be in the same situation she was in.

By sharing her story with the world, Reese is hoping to help women around the world who also have a stomach bump to seek professional help before it's too late as the cyst may turn into ovarian cancer. She said:

"I got messages from women who had the same situation and they said was the first time they heard anyone even talk about it, so it was super emotional."

Although smaller paratubal cysts usually don't cause symptoms, if they get big enough, they can cause abdominal pain, frequent urination, and a bloating sensation.

As suggested by Reese, women experiencing any of those symptoms should seek professional help in order to make sure that everything is okay and that a small cyst doesn't turn into the big devil that is cancer.