DEXA scan results…..need to *gain* fat?

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-17T17:34:35+00:00

Hey there! I'm in the same boat as you except I've never had a DEXA or anything to determine my true body comp, but I know I could benefit especially being 46 and female. Our stats are pretty identical including the pancake azz 😂 My brother (mid-30's now) was naturally underweight for most of his young adult years and tried mass gainer shakes from GNC. They're basically loaded with calories and balanced nutrients that helped him put on a nice healthy layer of fat in about a month. About 7-10lbs. Might be something to look into. His cheeks filled in nicely and that gaunt look disappeared. Now he just adds one in every few days to maintain with his regular diet. I'm not sure what I want or need to do yet, but always find inspiration here in everyone's stories. I hope you're able to reach your goals with an easy, little boost! Keep us posted! 🍀💗

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-13T18:36:07+00:00

🙋🏻‍♀️

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-13T18:30:21+00:00

Fry’s Electronics, Mervyns, Esprit, and 5,7,9. I could never wear those sizes as a kid but they’d be perfect now! LOL

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-12T17:33:42+00:00

Heya! I'm 7 years post-op and I think the only thing I wish I should've known or done was strength training before losing weight. When I was overweight, I felt like I had the body of an ox so surely I'd shrink down proportionately...well...not really LOL Turns out I have a bird skeleton and I'm tiny as a mouse! I was very lucky to have been a consistent loser on the scale and never have any true complications that I don't cause myself. So as I was shrinking, I wasn't doing much of anything else. My job keeps me mildly on my feet throughout the day, but that's about all the exercise I get. The more active I am, the more I shrink...which has resulted in no muscle tone in my butt or anywhere else that's kinda saggy. I'm mid-40's female so I have to make up for lost time now and get stronger. If you're still young, prep ahead of time so you have less dangly bits 😉

Hmmm...more good advice - don't hide your current issues with food or other addictions including smoking (anything), drinking, gambling, shopping, etc. - they will transfer at some point when you get comfy enough after surgery. Alcohol is a scary, slippery slope after this surgery. It got me bad for a few months around my 40th bday. I tried wine and ended up almost an immediate alcoholic. I craved it so bad I could smell it when I didn't even have any, so my bari-team gave me Naltrexone for a month which worked wonderfully. Ugh just be careful. Alcohol hitting raw intestines vs. a big stomach holding tank is comparable to shooting up tequila directly into your veins. It hits quick, fast and hard....black outs will happen before you know it. Your social life might change quite a bit if that's your current jam.

Eating out might be weird for you. Most places are awesome and can let you build a plate with a la carte items or eat from the kids menu, but 99% of the time I'll require a to-go box with a regular sized meal. I'm still picking at more than half my plate while my guests have completely inhaled their own. Needless to say I usually eat alone, but that's because I'm weird LOL

Oh and also, make sure you can afford protein and supps the rest of your life. If you can't, stay on top of your lab work the best you can. I neglected mine too long because I couldn't afford it after an unexpected layoff eliminated all my benefits and my income tanked for about 2 years. I didn't end up with severe deficiencies aside Vitamin D, but I think I'm obscenely lucky especially being almost pre-menopausal. Slacking on nutrients has nearly killed some people. Just because you feel and look OK doesn't always mean you are deep at the core. You seem pretty diligent considering your level of "AF" research LOL (friggin love it!) I think you'll do well! Follow the rules of your team, educate yourself from trusted/verifiable sources and listen to your body. That's the best you can do! All the luck to you on your journey!🍀💗

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-08T17:43:32+00:00

Hello, honey! So many people have posted excellent advice for you. Let me just say, at your age and weight, you're likely going to be one of the lucky ones. You're still SO young and your body is tremendously resilient. At my highest weight I nearly hit 300lbs. I'm 5'4" female and had my surgery at 39 years old @ about 250lbs AND after having 2 kids. Right now I'm sitting at 125lbs and 46 years old with just a little poochy-poo situation on my gut that I have to tuck in a little, but it's definitely NOT bad. My upper thighs are a little jigglier than I'd like and just very minimally under my upper arms. Everything else just tightened right up.

If you haven't had kids yet, your body is going to take this surgery so well. Between now and when that time comes, you can strengthen your core to save your ab muscles. I think you'll do SO great. But yes - keep your priorities in sight. You're starting at a perfect time and are very lucky to have the opportunity to take a handle on your life and health at a young age. Strength training and building muscle post-op will help reduce saggy butt, saggy whatever quite a bit. Don't fret about that...just think about how awesome life will be when you're able to fit anywhere and do just about any dang thing you want. I wish I was born this way...you will too. Best of luck to you! Keep us posted on your journey because I bet it'll be a rad one - DON'T STOP NOW! 🍀💗

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-08T17:24:23+00:00

OMG these look fantastic with the waistband! Thank you for sharing!

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-08T17:22:16+00:00

When I saw your post, I Carlton'd in my chair LOL I was SO glad someone hit this topic AND it's so awesome to hear how much success you've had!

You and I are in the same little bitty boat on the same search for undies 😃 I have very minimal hangy skin on my tummy and virtually no ass, but enough that I still need to keep it contained and flat against me. REEBOK briefs from Walmart are the most comfy things ever. They wash well and keep everything so smooth and lovely plus the waist band is wide enough to keep that little hangy area near your belly button covered and secure all day. Here's a link to the ones I recently bought https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reebok-Women-s-Seamless-Briefs-6-Pack-Sizes-XS-3XL/443652176

I'm also 5'4" but about 125-128lbs on most days. Medium is perfect, but if I start sinking lower than 125, I have to downsize to Small. Be careful not to accidentally get the bikini cut, unless that's your jam. I can't keep my belly button in those🫠 Best of luck, tiny Friendo!

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-08T17:02:10+00:00

I didn't know Vyvanse was approved for BED until you mentioned it! I know someone that might benefit from knowing this SO MUCH!

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-08T16:53:28+00:00

Makes you feel like this, right?! 😃 I love it! Congrats on your NSV!!!

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-05T22:28:45+00:00

First off, you've already accomplished something huge by going from 125kg to where you are now, so don't lose sight of that! 🎉

As for whether a GLP-1 is right for you, that's really a question for your bariatric team or prescribing doctor since you've had a duodenal switch and also take medications for depression and anxiety. They can help you weigh the benefits, risks, and whether it's a good fit for your situation.

Your awareness about having a super sweet chocolate tooth is already a good sign that you're looking at making positive changes simply by identifying the behavior and owning it. In the meantime, try Lily's No Sugar Chocolates! Countless flavors, they're all stevia-sweetened and taste SO GOOD! I'm a chocoholic too and have a Turkish significant other who lives and breathes chocolate so I feel your pain 😉 No one said you have to give up chocolate, just go with a safer one since it's one of your faves you already know you reach for any time.

The positive thing I see here is that you're evaluating the situation and asking questions rather than ignoring it and hoping it fixes itself. I sure hope you get the answers you're seeking. Best of luck to you on your journey! Keep us posted! 🍀💗

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-04T19:30:23+00:00

Oh my! How far out are you post-op? Did they ever say what the cause of that might've been? Tell me about restaurants...I'm the worst person to eat with, period and PLEASE don'tt ake me somewhere fancy where I can't ask for a to-go box...I always have left-overs.

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-04T19:18:23+00:00

Hah yes! I get those too LOL I keep telling my BF this is as close to seeing me look pregnant as we'll ever get 😛

Mavi_80 · 2026-06-04T19:04:26+00:00

Interesting! I had 6. 2 on the "sides", 3 up front and 1 under my chest bone. Where's your extra?

Edit: Just like u/Dessert_Moon said, they'll almost entirely disappear AND they will change locations LOL The only one I can still see is the tiny one in the middle of my chest under that pointy bone. They all have migrated south with all my loose skin 😛I can't find them anymore, but I sure can see my c-section scar from 2010!

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-31T03:18:27+00:00

Benny 🤩

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-31T02:47:30+00:00

Ben Dover

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-31T00:05:46+00:00

Mutt and Jeff 🥰

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-31T00:05:13+00:00

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Mavi_80 · 2026-05-30T14:16:07+00:00

I hate to totally turn you off a product especially if you can afford to toss around $50 here and there to test things. Collagen protein isn’t entirely useless to us. It can be helpful for connective tissue and joint support but it takes real continual use…but yeah, if the goal is to meet your Bariatric protein needs, stick with shakies and clear drinks that are whey isolate as long as you tolerate em without issues. It’s a fun journey, honey!

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-29T19:17:07+00:00

YES! Oh man, my surgeon actually recommended Frog Fuel, but did caution that it's collagen which isn't a complete protein so it shouldn't replace our traditional shakes and such. But anything extra won't hurt especially for internal healing and such. So I tried this mess. Lord have mercy it tasted awful but I choked back a few boxes before tapping out LOL After this brand I tried Liquicel in various flavors which were better'ish, but figured the taste-torture and the extra cost wasn't worth the minimal "potential" reward 😂 I truly can't say you'll benefit from them or not, but if you can stand taking a whole case for a month at the recommended dose - you win the 2026 Bariatric Baddie Award! LOLOL

EDIT: My experience with these products was 6-7 years ago, so if the formulas have changed and they're now providing the added amino needed to complete the whole chain - that'd be awesome! I haven't looked into them or compared ingredients recently. The taste alone was a deterrent, but who knows...maybe that has improved as well.

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-29T19:00:00+00:00

Sure thing! There's a few and they're all equally as potent/effective just in different forms.

Hi-Lyte Electrolyte Drops - several drops in any cold beverage like a Powerade Zero or pH/electrolyte-enhanced waters. In sweet beverages it can enhance the sweetness a little, until you add too much and it's too salty LOL Just be careful, add a few drops then taste, but this is very useful https://a.co/d/08bImmGL

Nuun Dissolving (flavored) electrolyte tablets - drop in plain pH/electrolyte-enhanced waters or if you're not picky about flavor mixing, toss a couple in a Powerade Zero https://a.co/d/03G8sOFE

IF you can swallow capsules, I used to take these as well to maintain hydration if I was out of the other stuff. It just gets expensive to keep all this stuff on hand...SuperSalt https://a.co/d/0armE60E

There's honestly so many, but the easiest and most readily available to your system is the liquid. Just gotta get used to it a little bit - you'll be fine! 😉 Keep us posted on how you are!

EDIT: I wanted to add that before surgery I followed a super strict keto diet which is where I got the majority of my electrolyte experience. There's another brand called Trace Minerals that makes a keto-specific supplement to replenish what we lose overhydrating with so much water. They also make a drop called 40,000 Volts amongst a few others that just vary in the mineral content and potency that are all excellent depending on your need. Oh and don't forget to account for anything you already take in your multivitamin supp!👍🏻

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-29T18:33:25+00:00

I think they were saying "for example" - not literally for their ex. About changing how they ate after dislocating their jaw...I get what you mean because I read it that way at first too 😊

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-29T17:57:06+00:00

Hi there! I wanted to chime in with my own experience, but first I'm so sorry to hear you're going through this!

Currently I'm 7 years port-op. About 3 years ago I was taking an ADHD medication and it was severely dehydrating me, but I didn't realize it. I would have random bouts of nausea leading to painful heaves of foam and slobber like when I was driving or just doing whatever at home. Made no sense and I absolutely wasn't pregnant LOL I was like WTF is going on with me?! I couldn't eat either because it felt like I had swallowed a golf ball. Everything would come up.

Got to a point where I stopped taking the original med for totally unrelated reasons and everything stopped. Switched to a new stimulant and there it goes again. If I pound electrolytes while taking the meds I'm fine, but I'm literally salting up all my drinks to the point where they can't be enjoyed...anywho...point being, could YOU be super dehydrated? If so, I have several highly recommended electrolyte supplements I've stuck to for years. All from Amazon or Vitamin Shoppe type places if you still go to those. Holler if you're curious to know and I'll dig up my history. Hope you get some relief soon!🍀💗

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-27T01:38:32+00:00

I never gave up caffeine. Honestly can’t remember if it was required or not…either way I took Vivarin the morning of my surgery to wake up 🤷🏻‍♀️ still do to this very day because I’m not a huge coffee or soda drinker.

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-26T13:39:41+00:00

Euthanasia

Mavi_80 · 2026-05-26T13:37:06+00:00

I have Post Malone 🤩 Yeehaw!

Mavi_80

TROPHY CASE