What is a Dexa-Body Composition Scan and why do we recommend it for patients on weight loss medication?

At Ward Private Health we have started introducing Dexa-Body Composition scans when patients are taking GLP1 medications, such as Wegovy, Mounjaro or Foundayo (Oral Tablets).

When monitoring weight loss, BMI should be used with caution. It is a very crude measure to assess if someone is overweight. With BMI, most elite athletes would be considered overweight, especially many of the rugby players I see in clinic, due to their muscle mass.

When monitoring weight loss, in addition to the bathroom scales, I recommend measuring around the waist at naval level (not your trouser waist measurement) to monitor changes. This can help to see if you are losing the more dangerous visceral fat, which accumulates in the abdomen and surrounds the organs. Visceral fat accumulation is particularly a problem in men, but also post-menopausal women, as their body fat distribution can change from hips, buttocks and breasts to the abdomen.

When patients are trying to lose weight, it is critical they optimise their fat loss and maintain their muscle mass. Not only for their long-term health, but evidence shows once you start to taper off medication, this is the best way to prevent regaining weight.

Dexa-Body Composition scans are the most accurate and gold standard way to measure how much muscle and body fat you have, together with its distribution. We do serial scans and adjust your medication dosage to ensure you are losing weight at an appropriate rate to allow you to maintain your muscle mass as much as possible.

For some of our patients, especially those that are embracing resistance training, they may find their body weight stays steady or even increases. The fat may be melting away, but at the same time, their muscle mass is increasing as their body goes through recomposition. The scans show this, which is very motivating.

For more information on our weight loss program please click here.

Common questions

Preparation

No food 4 hours before your scan, drink normally.

Wear comfortable clothing without metal – underwiring in bras, zips etc. Gym clothes are ideal with your jewellery removed.

Duration

Allow approximately 30 mins for your scan

Location

We use several locations both close to the clinic and nationally through our network.

Cost

We include the cost of 3 scans in our 6 month weight loss program and can organise individual scans if appropriate.