The woman who looked pregnant for a decade: 42-year-old releases images of her bump after surgeons remove a 6lb tumour from her womb

  • Maria Christofi was diagnosed with a fibroid - a benign tumour - a decade ago
  • Herbal medicines helped her to overcome the pain that the growth was causing
  • However, they didn't work at all when it came to reducing the 17cm tumour
  • She made up a due date to save the embarrassment of being asked by strangers
  • Last month, the acupuncturist finally had the mass removed after her long battle

By Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published: 05:33 EST, 6 February 2017 | Updated: 05:50 EST, 6 February 2017

Maria Christofi, 42, was diagnosed with a fibroid - a benign tumour - a decade ago

Maria Christofi, 42, was diagnosed with a fibroid - a benign tumour - a decade ago

A woman has released shocking images of her decade-long 'pregnancy bump' after surgeons removed a tumour from her womb.

Maria Christofi, 42, from north London, was diagnosed with a fibroid - a benign tumour - a decade ago.

But after managing her debilitating symptoms without surgery, she was left carrying a mass that weighed 6lb - the same as a newborn baby.

It was 17cm long and had left her with a large bump that lead to strangers assuming she was expecting her first child.

And after being asked so frequently when she was due, she even made up a due date to save the embarrassment.

But after battling against the physical effects of her fibroid - which has worsened since 2014 - she made the brave decision to undergo surgery.

Last month, the acupuncturist had the large mass removed. Now, finally fibroid free, she is looking forward to the future.

Ms Christofi said: 'Looking at the photo of my fibroid was surreal, I never imagined it would actually be so large. It was almost 6lbs and had begun affecting my day to day life.

'But now, two weeks since my operation, it's such a relief to no longer have my bump and explain why I look pregnant to strangers.

'I wish I had the surgery as soon as I was diagnosed and as a trained acupuncturist I was keen to try and treat my fibroid naturally without surgery.

'By the summer last year I looked heavily pregnant and it was no surprise when strangers began asking when I was due.'

It was 17cm long and had left her with a large bump that lead to strangers assuming she was expecting her first child

It was 17cm long and had left her with a large bump that lead to strangers assuming she was expecting her first child

Last month, the acupuncturist had the large mass removed (pictured, the 17cm mass that was growing inside her womb)

Last month, the acupuncturist had the large mass removed (pictured, the 17cm mass that was growing inside her womb)

She added: 'Sometimes I would explain it was a fibroid but it was happening so often that in the end I would go along with it and tell people a due date.

'It has been exhausting living with a fibroid and I couldn't be happier that I am now rid of it for good.

WHAT ARE FIBROIDS?

Around one in three women develop fibroids — benign growths in or around the womb - most often between the ages of 30 and 50.

They are thought to develop more frequently in women of African- Caribbean origin.

It's also thought they occur more often in overweight or obese women because being overweight increases the level of oestrogen in the body.

TELL-TALE SIGNS

Heavy or painful periods. In some cases it can lead to anaemia — iron deficiency — causing tiredness, lethargy and shortness of breath.

Abdominal pain. Bloating, discomfort in the stomach, and pain in the lower back and legs.

Frequent urination and constipation, caused by fibroids pressing on internal organs.

Pain or discomfort during sex

britishfibroidtrust.org.uk 

'I'm also keen to start a family one day and I knew I couldn't try while carrying a heavy fibroid.

'I wish I'd had my pregnancy bump removed through surgery a long time ago but I'm so relieved it's over.'

Ms Christofi was first diagnosed in 2007 with the growth just 5cm in length - but she opted against surgery. 

Instead, she decided to seek natural methods to try and control the size of the tumour.

However, herbal medicines, acupuncture and exercises were only proving to help reduce her pain.

By summer 2016 the tumour was huge - making her look 28-weeks pregnant - and was affecting her relationships by making her self-conscious, she said. 

She recalled: 'I was bending over some bed linen when a woman said 'congratulations' and asked when I was due.'

She eventually decided to go through with surgery when her fibroid had reached 17cm.

Opting for private treatment, experts at Parkside Hospital, Wimbledon, managed to remove the tumour and other smaller ones scattered in her stomach.

Previously they had attempted three times to shrink the growth through using lasers - but none of them worked.   

Ms Christofi was first diagnosed in 2007 with the growth just 5cm in length - but she opted against surgery (pictured when the growth was as its worst)
She eventually decided to go through with surgery when her fibroid had reached 17cm (pictured after surgery)

Ms Christofi was first diagnosed in 2007 with the growth just 5cm in length - but she opted against surgery (pictured left with the growth at its worst). She eventually decided to go through with surgery when her fibroid had reached 17cm (pictured right after surgery)

 

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