Woman lost more than 53 pounds but her stomach stayed enlarged — after she passed out, a uterine MRI uncovered the devastating reason
Our bodies have subtle and sometimes serious ways of warning us about health issues. A Chicago woman named Rachel Hampton witnessed a similar experience before a major health scare was revealed, according to FOX 32 Chicago. The report, dated July 6, 2026, stated that Hampton had lost 53 pounds, but didn’t think much of it until she realized that her belly didn’t seem to slim down. One day, when she fainted, she went to the hospital, and while speaking with her doctor, she mentioned her unusual weight loss. She was asked to get an MRI, and when the results arrived, they solved the mystery in a way she had never imagined.
The 35-year-old woman kept losing weight rapidly. When she passed out, she went to the hospital for a checkup. “I explained to the doctor how much weight I had lost, and we were talking about my stomach and why it wasn't going down,” she recalled. Hampton was referred for an MRI, and it revealed that she had 23 fibroids. “Your entire stomach is fibroids. You have no uterine tissue left," she was told. Next came devastating news — she would likely require a hysterectomy. According to the Mayo Clinic, fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus. Also known as leiomyomas or myomas, they vary in shape and size and can completely change the appearance of the organ.
Larger or multiple growths can even affect the pelvis and stomach area, making a person look pregnant. This is likely similar to what Hampton was experiencing. She sought a second opinion from gynecologic surgeon Dr. Kanika Sood, who urged her to have the fibroids removed immediately. Luckily, she didn’t require a hysterectomy. Doctors were able to remove 21 fibroids during surgery, while the remaining ones, about the size of a pin tip, were left. She was able to preserve her uterus. Looking back, she believes the growth began in 2019 or 2020. One of the largest fibroids removed was located just below her rib cage.
Hampton is now urging women to be aware of even seemingly minor symptoms and not wait to seek medical care. Signs like painful periods, heavy bleeding, an unusually growing belly, constipation, and frequent urination should be monitored and evaluated. Some fibroids are noticeable depending on their size and location. However, others are invisible, and the only way to detect them is through a pelvic exam. Hampton has lost another 19 pounds since the procedure, but as she recovers, she couldn’t be more grateful that she can still be a mom one day. “God gave me a second chance at life,” she remarked.