Today I Got A Body Composition Scan: Great News!

Feb 19, 2009

This morning I had a bone density scan (post-menopausal baseline) and while I was on the table I asked about the information I saw in the reception area regarding body composition scans.

Now I know my insurance wouldn't cover a body composition scan, so imagine how delighted I was to find out I could get the scan done for $49, right then while I was still at the densiometry center.

"Let's DO it!" says I.  Several minutes later I had my results and I am so pleased!  I have dropped over 208 lbs in about 17 months and have been curious to know how much fat remains and also wanted to know about my lean muscle mass.  I want to be thin....but not weak! 

So:  my percentage of body fat is 18.7.  WOW!!!!  I didn't have a scan before I started this journey, wish I had but definitely I was at least 50% before surgery.

The ACE sets forth these desciptions for percentage body fat for men and women. 

Description	Women	Men
Essential fat	12–15%	2–5%
Athletes	16–20%	6–13%
Fitness	21–24%	14–17%
Acceptable	25–31%	18–25%
Obese	32%+	25%+

I have the same percentage body fat as an athlete!!!! 

Please folks, if you are just beginning this journey and are wondering if you can ever lose your excess weight and be healthy, know that I am only one example of how you can get your life back through weight loss surgery. 

It is hard work to be sure, but as I sit here in my size 6 pants, down from a tight 30/32, I can tell you that for me every bit of effort has been and continues to pale in light of the joy I am feeling now to have lost this excess weight. 

Make no mistake, it is difficult, and in many ways my journey has just begun.  Now I'm doing the hard, hard work on the mental, spiritual and emotional aspects of my compulsive overeating.

-Jasmine

2 Comments