As I'm finishing week 6 of my retatrutide journey, it's time to get some actual body composition data. I've booked my first DEXA scan for next Saturday, and honestly, I'm both excited and slightly dreading what the numbers will show. ## The Timing Isn't Perfect Let's be real - this scan is late in my weight loss journey. It would have been way better to capture this data at the actual start, back when I was 336 lbs and had no clue what I was doing. But here we are, likely around 35+ lbs down by scan day, and I'm finally getting around to baseline measurements. I thought about just skipping the DEXA altogether and sticking with body measurements and progress photos. But the more I considered it, and given all the effort I've put into building this blogging platform from scratch (that's right, I'm actually a software developer), I figured I might as well bite the bullet and drive my fat ass 2 hours away to get the damn scan. **The reality:** I will never be this fat again. This is my one shot to capture personal data at this weight, even if it's not the absolute starting point. ## The Appointment Details **When:** Saturday at 7:30 AM **Where:** 2 hours and 11 minutes away (according to Google) **My departure time:** 4:45-5:00 AM Yes, I'm driving over 2 hours for a DEXA scan. But I normally wake up at 4:30 AM to workout anyway, so the early morning isn't the hard part - it's the commitment to actually getting objective data when I'm already this far into the process. ## The Prep Requirements After booking, I had to fill out a lengthy survey for their doctor to order the scan - apparently a state requirement. Then came the prep instructions that made me realize this isn't just "hop on a machine and get results": **What I need to do:** - **Fast for 2 hours prior** - no food or drink (not even water) - **No exercise for 10 hours before** - there goes my morning routine - **No calcium supplements for 24 hours** - easy since I don't take any - **Wear specific clothing** - no metal, no hard plastic, no buttons, zippers, or reflective logos ## The 4:45 AM Drive Early morning was no problem for me - the drive was easy with no cars going north to Nashville. The worst part was I couldn't drink any [coffee](https://amzn.to/3HpTOQL) or [white Monster](https://amzn.to/45owmN2) on the way up. Already planning my post-scan [Fairlife protein shake](https://amzn.to/45OOYFX) stop for the drive home. ## The Scan Experience The process was surprisingly straightforward. Check-in on an iPad at the facility, then have a seat in their clean, modern office. They offered sparkling water and coffee for post-scan refreshment, but I opted not to partake - I had my white Monster and protein shake plans already mapped out. After being called back, I changed into the gym shorts I'd brought. The technician weighed me before entering my data into the computer. **301.2 lbs** - a little lighter than my [Thursday weigh-in for week 6](https://retatrutidelog.com/posts/week-6-retatrutide-chinese-source-tesamorelin), but honestly, I was shocked that their scale and my bathroom scale were so close. I just unofficially calibrated my home setup. The tech had a few additional questions that weren't on the original questionnaire, then proceeded to position me optimally on the scan bed. With my large frame, we had a slight worry that I wouldn't fit in the standard scan scope, but I was able to squeeze in just fine. The scan lasted about 6-8 minutes on one of the newer DEXA scanners where the bed actually moves under you for better sensor placement. Much more comfortable than I expected. ## The Results Conversation After just a few minutes of waiting, the tech offered to go over the report, making it clear he'd only be providing factual data from the report and not guidance or advice. **The highlights (or lowlights):** - **Higher than average bone density** - I actually would have guessed this, but good to know I likely won't be breaking a hip as I get older - **Higher than average lean mass** for my age - explains why the weight loss has felt sustainable - **A shit ton of visceral fat** - 319 cm², enough to be considered **clinically significant** ::gallery[{"images":["https://retatrutidelog.com/uploads/a034ffe7-d207-41d6-8c64-eaadd00d4312.png","https://retatrutidelog.com/uploads/98db97c8-9965-4068-873c-22baade9bae4.png"],"captions":["",""]}] ## What The Numbers Actually Mean ### Current Body Composition (August 16, 2025): - **Weight:** 301.2 lbs - **Height:** 6'2" (74 inches) - **Age:** 41 - **Total Body Fat:** 40.1% - **Fat Mass:** 120.6 lbs - **Lean Mass:** 177.63 lbs (soft tissue + bone) ### The Visceral Fat Reality Check: - **VAT Volume:** 1661 cm³ - **VAT Area:** 319 cm² - **Android (belly) Fat:** 52.5% **What this means:** Anything over 160-180 cm² of visceral fat is considered clinically significant. At 319 cm², I'm well into the range where intervention makes sense - which is exactly why I'm adding tesamorelin to my protocol starting Monday. ### The Muscle Mass Surprise: My lean mass came in at the **75th percentile** for men my age. This explains why the retatrutide weight loss has felt so sustainable and why I haven't experienced the typical muscle loss concerns. I'm carrying more muscle than many gym-goers at lower body weights. ## Perfect Timing for Tesamorelin This DEXA scan couldn't have been timed better. Starting tesamorelin on Monday with these baseline numbers means I'll have precise data to track exactly what's working. The visceral fat measurement of 319 cm² puts me squarely in the target demographic for tesamorelin's FDA-approved indication. ### What to Track Over the Next 12 Weeks: | Metric | Current | Target (12 weeks) | |--------|---------|-------------------| | Total Body Fat % | 40.1% | 36-37% | | VAT Area | 319 cm² | Under 180 cm² | | Android Fat % | 52.5% | Under 38% | | Lean Mass | 170+ lbs | Maintain or increase | ## The Drive Home Processing these results on the 2+ hour drive back, I felt validated in my approach. The numbers confirm what I suspected - I'm not metabolically broken, just carrying too much visceral fat. With over 30 pounds already lost on retatrutide and these precise baseline measurements, I'm in an ideal position to document exactly what tesamorelin can accomplish. The combination of retatrutide handling overall appetite and weight loss, plus tesamorelin specifically targeting that clinically significant visceral fat, should create some dramatic changes over the next few months. ## Why This Data Matters Having objective DEXA data at this point in my journey serves several purposes: 1. **Validates my sourcing strategy** - I'm healthy enough to continue with my protocol 2. **Confirms tesamorelin timing** - the visceral fat levels justify adding it now 3. **Establishes tracking metrics** - I'll know exactly what's working in 12 weeks 4. **Documents the process** - real data beats speculation every time This scan represents more than just numbers - it's proof that systematic approaches to health optimization, even unconventional ones, can be tracked and validated with clinical precision. ::subscribe[{"variant":"default"}] --- **Up next:** Monday starts the tesamorelin addition to my protocol. I'll be documenting the first week's experience, any side effects, and how it feels to add growth hormone release to an already successful retatrutide foundation. **Disclaimer:** The information provided on this site is for **educational and informational purposes only** and reflects my **personal experiences and opinions**. It is **not** intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Retatrutide is an **investigational drug** that is **not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)** for any use outside of clinical trials. Do not attempt to obtain or use this compound without proper legal authorization. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding medications, supplements, or medical treatments. The author does **not** sell or distribute any pharmaceutical products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this site may be affiliate links.