Question
What can I do about the weight gain around my tummy and breasts?
9 September 2010. Related: All topics, Side effects.
I am HIV positive and I am on ARV treatment but the treatment is making me gain weight especially around my breasts and tummy. Is it safe to take slimming powders or weight loosing products?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If you are gaining weight around your stomach and breasts then it is likely that you are experiencing lipodystrophy which is a fat disorder. Lipodystrophy is a common side effect of HIV medication which has been reported with nearly every combination. Lipodystrophy involves fat accumulating in the abdomen (stomach), breasts, shoulders, neck and is sometimes exaggerated by fat loss from the arms, legs, buttocks and face.
During lipodystrophy fat builds up around your organs rather than under your skin which happens during ‘normal’ weight gain. Slimming powers and weight loss products do not generally work on the fat built up around your organs.
However, there are some things you can do. For a start you could speak to your HIV doctor about changing the HIV treatments you are taking. Additional treatments are explained in detail in this previous question and in the lipodystrophy section of the i-Base guide to ‘Avoiding and managing side effects’
Hi Lisa, I am sorry to hear about the changes to your body. What is the name of the HIV treatment you have been taking?
How has your weight changed? and over what time period have you noticed these changes happen?
And what have you done to try and reverse this changes yourself?
Hi Lisa
I have being taking ARVs since 200
tilltoday. I am not a builded someone
but now I am too much skinny having fat under
my arm’s my breast is bigger than before.I am 64 years weiying 48.9kg, shrinking buttons I am not happy about all those.
Hi Marupeng, are you on any treatment for HIV? and if you are what is the name of the treatment you are taking?
Hi am hiv can I use apitito pills
Hi Precious, what is the name of the ARVs you are taking?
Hey I’m precious I’m HIV positive I’m on my ARVS and I’m losing weight can I take cipla action for wait gain
Hi Anonymous, what is the name of the ARVs you are taking? and what is the name of the injections you are wanting to take?
Will these injections be provided by a doctor/health clinic?
Hi, I am very obese and on ARVs, would like to take fat burning injections especially on my stomach, bumps, upper arm etc. Is this safe?
Hi Rita, there is no medication that can cause weight gain focussed on specific sites.
To change your body towards this figure it would be recommended that you attend a gym. Using exercises to build muscle in the areas you want to gain weight e.g., hips and buttocks, and contnuing to eat healthy to avoid gaining weight which would cause your stomach to increase in size.
What medicine can I take to gain weight on my hips and buttocks and my stomach is still remain flat?