Is increased abdominal fat common post cancer treatment?

Hi there
i am a bit of an outlier it seems - I have lost weight following my diagnosis.
I had skin sparing mastectomy, radiotherapy and then DIEP flap surgery , no chemo and have been on Letrazole for almost 12 months.
I am also 63.
I had put on 10 kilos over 30 years and decided to take myself in hand when I got diagnosed and see if I could lose weight.
My weight gain had been mainly in my tummy and breasts ( I had gone from a D cup to an E cup).
I lost 2 kilos from the removal of breast tissue and the rest as a result of a change in diet and engaging in an exercise programme.
I cut out most processed foods including cakes , biscuits and other sweets ( including chocolates, dramatically reduced alcohol intake, and just thought about what went into my mouth.
My vegan hairdresser said to me “ you never see a fat vegan because let’s face it who sits down and eats two plates of broccoli”!
I didn’t become vegan though.
I also saw an exercise physiologist to help me with the exercise.
I walk for at least half an hour every day and do other exercises including weight bearing exercises and continue Pilates once a week.
I also swim in summer.
Some days it’s hard to get motivated and make time but not only is exercise good for your physical health but your mental health too.
Some people find seeing a nutritionist useful .
I figured getting breast cancer was a wake up call that I could no longer take my body for granted.
And it is true your metabolism slows down after menopause and that does mean  a tendency to gain weight if you don’t do anything extra.

Hi @Abbydog,

My oncologist told me that weight gain is definitely something that can happen with bc. Firstly if you had serious with chemo as most do then steroids can contribute to some weight gain.

 AI's as well as tamoxifen also increases the possibility of weight gain. These meds suppress oestrogen in the body. Post menopausal women need that hormone to help manage weight.

Oestrogen sits in women's fat cells post menopause which is how they help with weight management but if the oestrogen is suppressed then you don't have this extra help. All you can do is stay away from those foods that add to weight gain and exercise. 

I am a year post treatment and my weight is within a kg of what it was but I do eat healthy food and exercise. I think I am softer all over since taking tamoxifen but I keep up eating well and moving to manage it. I have never been a big sweet eater but I do occasionally indulge.

Dear @Abbydog

It appears that unwanted weight (or fat as it is cruelly described) is a damn sight harder to shift in your more mature years! And it may only shift around, not away. Redistribution! More weight around the middle can sometimes be caused by stress, by sugar and possibly also by your AI. After nine years, I plan a party when I finally get off Femara but in the meantime I recognise that exercise helps, sweet stuff goes straight to my waist (that unfortunately includes alcohol) and I do sit ups! Best of luck! 

Well done on getting thru a year after your active treatment finished @Abbydog 

That would be a 'yes' from me - plus a bit of extra weight as well - is that what they call a 'muffin top'?? .... but I've not been anywhere NEAR as active in the last 2 years as I had been previously .... so I am blaming Covid.  ;)

Take care & all the best for Xmas & '22 (train wreck that it is already, with the increase in covid numbers, already! :( )