Everything You Need to Know About a B Belly Shape

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Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner, MD, explains what causes a B belly & how to fix it

Co-authored by Ellen Turner, MD and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: April 21, 2026 Fact Checked

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• What is a B belly shape?
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• Causes
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• Identifying a B-Shaped Belly
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• Natural Fixes
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• Cosmetic Procedures
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• Style Tips
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• Video

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There's nothing wrong with having a B-shaped belly—in fact, it's quite normal! But it's also understandable if you prefer a slimmer look. You might also be concerned if you're pregnant, and your belly is taking on a B shape instead of the more common D shape. In either case, we're here to help! This article will explain what causes a B belly, how to tell if you have one, and how to fix it naturally, with exclusive insights from medical professionals and exercise specialists.

What is a B-shape belly?

Double board-certified dermatologist Ellen Turner, MD, says a B-shaped belly is where the upper and lower abdomen are split into two halves at the waistline, creating a “B” shape. Typically, the lower belly sticks out further than the upper abdomen. A “B belly” can be caused by a multitude of factors, including:

• Pregnancy
• Hormonal changes
• Weight gain
• Genetics
• Diastasis recti (separation of the abdominal muscles)

Steps

Section 1 of 6:

What is a B belly shape?

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1. 
   A belly looks B-shaped when the lower belly sticks out more than the upper abdomen. According to Dr. Turner, a B-shaped belly is where the upper and lower abdomen are “split” into two halves at the waistline. This creates a “B” shape from the over-accumulation of subcutaneous (and likely visceral) fat. Women often experience this shape after pregnancy, but it can also happen to women and men who are overweight, have abdominal weakness, or have a family history of B-shaped fat distribution.

   • A lot of people with a B-belly feel insecure about it and want to get rid of it. But the truth is that it's a completely normal body type and nothing to be ashamed of.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Ellen Turner, MD, is a double board-certified dermatologist and founder of the Dermatology Office, specializing in medical and cosmetic procedures.

   Wendy Powell is a maternal health and exercise specialist. She specializes in pregnancy, post-baby recovery, and fitness education.

   Souad Gharib is an exercise and wellness specialist. She specializes in helping women reach their goals through exercise, nutrition, and counseling.
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Section 2 of 6:

What causes a B-shaped belly?

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   Genetics A B-shaped belly is mostly formed from genetics, notes Dr. Turner. Some people hold abdominal weight in a B-shape because of their genetics. In that case, they probably have family members with B-shaped bellies, as well. With a genetic predisposition, it may not matter how much they weigh or exercise, or whether they've ever been pregnant. It may simply be a fact of their life—and that's okay! B-shaped bellies are perfectly normal.
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   Pregnancy If you're already overweight when you become pregnant, or if you gain excess weight during pregnancy, you may have a B belly. You might also have this shape if you've experienced multiple pregnancies already. The most common pregnancy belly shape is a rounded D with no crease, but there's also nothing wrong with having a B-shaped belly.
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   Hormonal changes As women get older, their estrogen levels naturally go down, and their testosterone levels go up. When this happens, their fat deposits get redistributed to their abdominal area. That's why women going through menopause may notice an increase in fat around their belly, and might even develop a B-shaped belly.
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   Weight gain Gaining weight can cause a B-shaped belly if the fat collects mostly in your lower belly and upper abdomen. Many people put on excess weight due to their lifestyle choices, like poor diet and lack of exercise, hormonal imbalances, stress, or even some underlying health issues.

   • Note: If you experience sudden and unexpected weight gain, talk to your doctor to find the root cause.
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   Diastasis recti Diastasis recti is a condition where your abdominal muscles (AKA, your 6-pack abs) separate, creating a bulge in your upper abdomen. This is a common side effect of pregnancy, when the mother's growing womb stretches out her abs to the point where the tissue connecting them becomes thin and non-elastic. That, combined with loose, saggy skin and fat deposits in your belly, can cause a B-shape.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Tell If You Have a B-Shaped Belly

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   Look sideways in the mirror and notice the shape of your abdomen. Take your shirt off or lift it up to your chest. Next, look at your torso's side profile in a full-length mirror. Notice if your upper abdomen (under your ribs) and lower belly (your belly button area) form a slightly lumpy or bumpy, capital "B" shape.
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   Face the mirror and check for a horizontal crease on your abdomen. Another sign that you have a B-shaped belly is if there's a crease between your upper and lower belly. If so, it will probably be located above your belly button, but below your ribs. It should be pretty easy to see.
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Fix a B-Shaped Belly Naturally

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   Practice core-strengthening breath work. If you have diastasis recti or just had a baby in the last few weeks, maternal health and exercise specialist Wendy Powell strongly suggests holding off on core exercises. The reason, she says, "is that they put too much pressure on the abdominal wall, where most likely… a separation of the abdominal muscles has occurred." Instead, Powell recommends training your core and pelvic floor "through mindful breath work, so that you… [can] address your core properly before you try to force it into an exercise it is not even capable of." Below is an example of a simple belly breathing exercise:

   • Lie down on a flat surface with your knees bent and your feet flat.
   • Position one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen, between your rib cage and your belly button.
   • Breathe in through your nose slowly and push your stomach out. The hand on your chest shouldn't move hardly at all.
   • Exhale through your lips while tightening your abdominal muscles and sucking your stomach back in. Once again, the hand on your chest shouldn't move much at all.
   • Repeat this exercise for 5-10 minutes at a time, up to 3 or 4 times a day.
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   Exercise to shed excess belly fat and tone your abdominal muscles. As long as you're not recovering from giving birth and haven't been diagnosed with diastasis recti, exercise can be of great benefit! The more active you are, the easier it will be to shed that extra belly fat. Plus, exercising your core will help tone and strengthen your muscles, making them look more defined. Here are a few core-strengthening exercises you can try at the gym or at home:

   • Crunches: 2-3 sets per day, 10-15 reps each
   • Planks: 1-6 reps per day, 10-30 seconds each
   • Russian twists: 3 sets per day, 8-12 reps each
   • Note: If you're not sure if you should be exercising your core yet, talk to your doctor and get their clearance first.
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   Eat a healthy, balanced diet and drink plenty of water. Whether your belly is B-shaped because of genetics, weight gain, pregnancy, or some other cause, it's always a good idea to eat healthy and hydrate. As exercise and wellness specialist Souad Gharib says, "Make sure your meals are balanced! Prioritize protein (chicken, fish, tofu), healthy fats (nuts, avocado), and complex carbs (brown rice, quinoa)." Gharib also recommends planning your meals and snacks ahead of time "so you don't end up snacking on the wrong things."
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Section 5 of 6:

How to Fix a B-Shaped Belly with Cosmetic Procedures

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   Try a fat burning device, like EmSculpt Neo. EmSculpt Neo can be used to fix a B-shaped belly, says Dr. Turner. This is a painless and non-invasive procedure, where a device that emits electromagnetic waves is placed on your body to burn fat and build muscle. Dr. Turner notes that treatment sessions are typically performed in a series and only last around 30 minutes.

   • The device can reduce fat by 30% and can also increase muscle tone by 25% and muscle strength by 30%, adds Dr. Turner.
   • Recovery time: None. You can resume normal activities immediately
   • Potential risks: Muscle soreness, swelling, redness, bruising
   • Average cost: $3000-$5000
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   Get a tummy tuck. A tummy tuck is a procedure where the surgeon removes excess fat and skin from the belly area to slim it down. It's not just for cosmetic purposes, though—the surgeon can also stitch any muscles that have separated back together. So if you have diastasis recti, and breathing exercises aren't helping you, this procedure may rectify the problem.

   • Note: Your plastic surgeon may not recommend a tummy tuck if you plan to get pregnant in the future or lose a significant amount of weight.
   • Recovery time: 6-8 weeks
   • Potential risks: Fluid buildup, poor healing, scarring, loss of feeling in your nerves
   • Average cost: $8174
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Section 6 of 6:

How to Style a B-Shaped Belly

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   Emphasize the narrowest part of your torso with clothes and accessories. "Calling out your waist is a really important way to balance your figure," notes personal wardrobe stylist Paul Julch, MA. Even if you don't have a narrow waist, Julch says you can let people know where your "perceived" waist is with a belt, by tucking in your shirt, or by choosing clothes with structure.

   • For example, if you're wearing a structured A-line dress, image consultant and style advisor Jordan Stolch says to put a wide belt on in the middle to "create the illusion of a waist."
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   Find clothes that skim your curves without cinching too tightly. If you're heavier in your belly area, wardrobe stylist Ashley Kahn recommends looking for tops that skim the sides of your waist and the front of your torso. "You want to make sure that you find clothes that are going to define your figure and not hug your curves too tight," she adds. She also warns to stay "very far away from oversized clothing."
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   Wear shapewear to smooth out any bumps in your torso. Style strategist and wardrobe specialist Natalie Tincher suggests donning shapewear under your clothes, specifically tight dresses. This supportive undergarment "will not get rid of extra weight," she adds, "but can act to smooth your silhouette."

   • "Doctors have stated there may be health risks associated with shapewear and very tight clothing," cautions Tincher.

   1. And if the steps above have been helpful, be sure to download this article as a PDF so you can print, read, or reference it any time.

   Download PDF for $2.99
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