Patient Stories

Tim – 108 lbs. Weight Loss

Tim's weight loss testimonial before and after photos

I always thought that my family history was fantastic. My great grandfather lived to be 98 years old, my grandfather to 92, my grandmother also to 98, so I always thought that I’d be around for that long as well. However, back in September of 2011, I went to my family doctor and had a physical for the first time since 1994. He was ready to put me on all sorts of meds for high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, high cholesterol, order a sleep test and a stress test. He said I was a “ticking time bomb, you’re approaching 50 and it’s time to do something about it”. Well, that got my attention. It was time to do something about my weight.

My wife Bernie (who is a RN and my greatest supporter), because of its long-term effects on your health, was against the surgery that is so famously being advertised in our area, so that was not an option for me. We have a friend that had great success with Dr. Scinta’s program, and another friend who was a former employee of hers. Both of them had nothing but good things to say about the program, so we thought that this was my best option, and my doctor was on board with it as well.

I attended one of the informational meetings in October with Bernie and to her surprise, signed-up at the end of the meeting for the full meal replacement program. Though I was cautiously optimistic that the program could help me lose some weight, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the success that would be coming my way. When I attended my first appointment, Tracy (my nurse) asked me to set a goal, not having any idea whether or not it was attainable, I put down a “pie in the sky” figure of 100 pounds. A week later at my first follow-up visit, I had lost 14.5 pounds. My exact question to Tracy was, and I remember it like it was yesterday, “is this thing right?” Her reply was “the scale don’t lie.” I was shocked, I had lost 14.5 pounds in one week, it was probably then that I thought that maybe my goal wasn’t so unreachable after all.

Every week, I’d go in for my re-check appointment and group session. Several of those appointments were with Sheila (my NP). She would review my results with me and offer her encouragement to continue on with the full plan. The group sessions were all very informative. Kulaa, Lisa, Lorna and Nichole were the facilitators and I learned so much about exercise, fitness, nutrition and the behavior behind my eating habits (or lack thereof). The genuine concern, support, and encouragement of all of Dr. Wendy’s other staff (Jen, Jennifer, Lindsay and Sam) on a weekly basis has been amazing. You are all a very important part of journey that I continue to navigate. I could not have made it this far without each and every one of you. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

I spent 27 weeks on the full plan and lost 103 pounds, I have since started to transition back to food and have continued to lose weight. I’m now down 108 pounds, and have a revised goal to lose another 17 pounds. I’m now exercising, which I did on a very limited basis in the past. Back in January, Dr. Scinta suggested that I start adding in some activity to my daily routine by walking about 15 minutes a day on the treadmill, I started with 30 minutes which worked out to just under 2 miles. In March, when the weather turned spring-like, I’m moved my walking outside, and now my normal daily routine has me walking over 12 miles a day.

The “little” things that you notice along the way are pretty amazing, from dropping 5 pants sizes and 4 shirt sizes, to having more energy, to exercising (and actually looking forward to it). A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to travel. I called my wife just after boarding the plane just to tell her that I had to actually tighten my seat-belt. Over the years, there had been many instances that I could barely get the seat-belt buckled… I tried on an old pair of jeans the other day, there’s actually enough room for another person to fit in them with me. It’s still very hard for me to believe that all of the weight I gained over the last 30 years or so could be lost in such a short period of time. It took just under 7 months to erase all of that, my only regret is that I was too stubborn to take action sooner in my life. Thank you again to Dr. Scinta and all of your tremendous staff. You are all very dedicated to what you do, and are GREAT at it. You have ALL helped me change my life, and to have a much better chance to reach those 90’s that my grandparents made it to!

 

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13 Comments

  1. tina

    Hi i also went to nursing school with a Bernie she works at St. Joes is it possible I know your wife? I only ask I attended the information meeting and am getting started next week full meal replacement I would suspect as I have alot of weight to lose. I am excited and nervous all in the same. Is it possible for you to give me any starting the program advice. Thanks
    Tina

  2. Chris

    Tim ~ I am so proud to call you a friend! How inspirational to others, showing them it can be done! You are my hero – OMG – 12 miles a day! My knees hurt after 5!

  3. Moose

    That’s a lot of Fribbles! Did you have to pay xtra for the fact that as your weight loss goes UP…so does your GOLF scores!

  4. Matt

    So proud of my uncle!

  5. Vinny

    You are an inspiration for us all whether we need to loose 10 or 100 pounds, what you have done is incredible and you should be as proud of yourself as the rest of your family and friends are of you.

    That being said I can’t wait to watch you and Moose battle it out in the race to break 110 on the golf course.

  6. Danielle

    That’s my dad! So proud and excited for you!! It has been amazing to watch, every time I’d go home he’d look different, crazy to think it’s only been since the fall!

  7. Christine Warner

    Hi Tim,

    It’s me Chrissy Hall (I’m now married, Christine Warner). WOW Mr. Paventi, You look amazing and wonderful.. I’m so proud of you.. How did you do it?? Did you have to stay on a diet plan or ?? 🙂 I honestly didn’t even recognize you at all..

    Sincerely,
    Christine..

  8. Tracy

    AS I SAT HERE AT HOME AND READ THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME..MY EMOTIONS HAD TAKEN OVER… I REMEMBER THAT 1ST DAY LIKE IT WAS YESTERDAY!!!IT HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE A COMPLETE HONOR TO BE A PART OF THIS JOURNEY! TAKE A BOW MR.P THIS IS YOUR STANDING OVATION!!!

  9. Sam

    Tim,

    You should be extremely proud of yourself! You are an inspiration to many of your friends and others. Your card was heartwarming and I am glad I was apart of your journey. You are one of the reasons why I enjoy coming to work everyday.

  10. Sandy

    I don’t know Mr. P but GREAT JOB! I have been seeing Dr. Scinta and her staff for a couple years and they are amazing. I’m a healthier woman, mentally and physically, because of Wendy and staff.

  11. Lisa Yarah

    TIM!!! You are an amazing success and everyone is SO proud of you! It was such a joy to share this journey with you.

    Keep up the good work!

    Lisa :O)

  12. Lisa B

    Hi Tim! I had to toss a huge WAY TO GO your way! You look fantastic, and you have accomplished so much in a short period of time. I am inspired!

    All the best to you as you continue your journey!

    Lisa (another of Doc Wendy’s devotees) 🙂

  13. Ned

    Way to go Timmy. Your success inspired me to try this and so far so good. Never would have guessed it would work but the results speak for themselves. Of course even after losing nearly 50 lbs people are going to say ” well, thats pretty good…but you’re no Tim Paventi!” lol


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