DEXA Scan today!

Thank you, I have a call in to the center and am waiting for them to get back to me. Spoke w the nurse and she punted me to the nutritionist, with whom I have yet o speak, but I will also talk w my doc. He had me have my first DEXA scan at his office, so I suspect he is aware of what info it gives.

Yes, the idea of gaining really is kind of alarming, after all of this effort to lose. I'll see what he says, as well as the nutritionist. I honestly don't want to gain, and feel great, but it's more important to remain strong and healthy, than to truly risk the opposite. If my doc says I am endangered i will (painstakingly) address this so I'm safe. But as of this moment I feel I am in robust good health!

Yes - I know I haven't much fat left but there is a good deal of loose skin, and you're right, it makes me look like there's more of me than if that wasn't there. To my eye, I don't really look like I have more to lose, just that there's a good bit of excess skin sliding around. It's so strange! On Thursday, I have a 15-minute phone consultation with someone from the DEXA company I used, to go over my results a bit more than was possible when I had it done, so that person may also have some info for me.

Thank you for your observations, I appreciate your input.

That is good about the Doc. I only say that because I have explained it to Doctors who didn't really believe me...

Same machine as a Bone Scan? Yes, Doc exact same machine, it gives you your bone Density too. They just use different software. Hmmmm??? {{insert me getting side-eye}} hahaha

Hah!

Good news on the bone density! Yay!

But listen to Erin about your fat percentage.

Thank you, Sheila, sweetness.

I have been there, and had to deal with health issues because of that.

It is not healthy, nor it does look good IMO. The second part - I don't really care that much.

But the health issues - yea, I hated it. Pus - you are still talking about eyeing one extra pound? ugh.

When I got to that level, my body start getting really crazy and I was dealing with so many issues. Worst of them was hormonal imbalances. 10 years later - and I still have issues.

For a woman, anything below 18-19 % is dangerously low, can be close to critical. Any significant illness like even a really bad food poisoning, or accident - your body has virtually no reserves to use.

And because of our RNY - we can get really sick due to food poisoning. Because we no longer have stomach, or a lot of stomach acid, any amount of virus or bacteria we get in our food can multiply and cause real havoc on our system. One of the stomach role is to contain and kill food borne pathogens. Acid not only digest food but can also kill the pathogens, not allow them to pass to the small intestines. Instead, in our case, food does not sit in our pouch very long, and rather quickly can be inside the intestine, multiplying, an causing damage. Normal stomach - bad food - we get nausea, throw up and part of the virus and bacteria are removed almost instantly. That is not a case with most of us. Just recently i got really sick and I could not keep anything down. I "lost" 10 lbs in 24 hours. The following day I got re-hydrated (mineral mixes, bone broth, etc) and was able "to regain" 7 lbs.

You are an adult, and small size clothes, that look cute on you are nice, but health first.

Just be careful.

Of course health first! I may be vain, but I'm not crazy. Thank you for sharing your point of view and experience, I appreciate it. I'm going to have a thorough consultation with my old surgery center about the results of this scan, and will adjust as needed. I prefer working with them on this, as my current PCP is not as clued in to the needs and challenges of WLS folks. Thanks again.

Working through it with your old surgery center is a good plan and hopefully they will be able to talk with you quickly and make sure you stay healthy and fit!

Honestly - I feel strong, healthy, and fit. Looking back through somewhat similar, older posts here on OH has gotten those OPs different and less alarming advice than what was offered on this thread. I will definitely consult with my surgery center about my DEXA results this week. However, I also wish to point out that everyone is different. I have yet to reach the weight I was as a very healthy younger adult, but as I have described in a few previous posts, losing one or two more pounds from where I am now to reach what my younger self weighed has not been a driving goal. I'm not sure why that was misunderstood in this thread, and presented as a flaw on my part. And as I now have my DEXA results in hand, of course reaching that number matters even less. Clearly, I don't need to lose more. I am in and have been in maintenance.

We each bring to the table a unique combination of characteristics, genetics, strengths and vulnerabilities, both personality-wise and physically. The truth is that what represents a risk for some, especially those who struggle with many existing health issues, does not necessarily represent an equal risk for everyone across the board. Additionally, the standards of what constitutes a healthy body fat level do not seem to be entirely consistent throughout the literature I researched online. I appreciate the personal stories of those here who had problems relating to their body fat percentage dropping too low, and will take their warnings to my physician. I wish them all the best with their health and any recovery that they may still be experiencing. I will consult with those who deal with such issues in their capacity as WLS specialists and medical pros, and if they urge avocados, oils, cheeses, nuts, and higher calories upon me, insisting that I gain or risk ill health, I will comply. Until then I am going to concentrate on feeling good (which I really and truly do), and enjoying my life and enjoying my body.

I wish good health and happiness to all of my fellow OHers. Fat or lean, I find you all beautiful, no matter what your body fat percentage.

Sorry that I got a bit miffed, guys, I shouldn't have. We all here have our body issues! I know everyone truly meant well.