Patient Stories

Many times in the past my doctor mentioned that I was becoming at risk of being obese and developing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, insulin resistance and diabetes. As the years progressed I started to get prescribed one prescription, after another and then some to counteract the previous prescription’s side effects. It had gotten to the point that my prescription medications were costing me (out of pocket) over a thousand dollars a year with no end in sight.

A few years back, I started to bicycle to work to try to change this horrible path I was on. While in the beginning I did have some weight loss from cycling, the medications did not stop, only increased, and the side effects on my liver and other organs were starting to take a toll on my life. In 2013 I cycled the most I have ever done, completing over 3,000 miles. Still there was no change in my eating habits, lifestyle, medicines or weight. In October of 2013 my doctor recommended I see Dr. Scinta. He said that she has had great success in helping people get to, as well as maintain a healthier weight. If you can believe it, I still said I can do this on my own. In the next few weeks I noticed a few friends who lost some weight and in talking with them found out they also went to Medical Weight Loss of New York. In December I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was still having no success on my own; I told my doctor I was seeking help from Dr. Scinta.

Luckily, it’s never too late to make changes that can effectively control weight and the health problems it causes.

When I started my weight loss journey in mid-December 2013, my BMI was 36.0. Friends and family thought I was crazy to start this before the holidays, but I was determined to make this change in my life. What I didn’t know was that what I was about to experience would change my life forever.

In January 2014 I was reporting, on average, 5 pounds a week weight loss. At the beginning of February I had lost 34 pounds and reduced my BMI to 30.8. At this point, all the prescription medications I was taking were removed. In March the journey continued with the additional weight loss of 25 pounds, and a new BMI of 27.5. With this complete process I only lost 3% muscle.

I am currently in maintenance with Dr. Scinta and her dedicated staff. Not only did this team help me understand why I was overweight, but they worked with me to develop my new lifestyle. My nutritional needs as a cyclist are different. The nutritionist prepared an easy to understand special program to make sure I was fueled on and off the bike.

My journey has not been easy and would not have been possible without the love and support from my family and friends. With my new lifestyle I am able to enjoy additional sports such as running and weight lifting.

I have reached out to encourage others because it is always great to know we are not alone. Throughout my journey food and exercise have been important, but understanding the correct combination is more important. I had to learn to fuel my body appropriately and remember that food is just energy. I am eating to live not living to eat.

I have been given a second chance at life. Dr. Scinta and all the staff at Medical Weight Loss of New York helped me obtain it. Thank you for this life changing opportunity.