Hi, my name’s Cassie, I’m 18 years old and have been a patient of Dr. Scinta’s for a little over four years. When I stared with Dr. Scinta, my BMI was 41—literally off the chart. But as of January 2014, it was around a 26.
I have been struggling with my weight since I was seven and by the time I was 14, my mom had taken me to probably 5 doctors trying to figure out what was wrong. Every doctor I went to told me nothing was wrong, that I needed to eat less and exercise more. My mom wasn’t going to put me on a diet because I had tried every healthy solution which was why we were going to the doctors. As for exercising, I played outside almost every day and was in my second season of winter guard, soon to start my first season of marching band. People made fun of me all throughout school because of my weight, but I never thought much about my weight until middle school started and I didn’t have many friends in my classes. I became more self-conscious, quieter, more passive, and retreated into myself.
A woman my stepdad worked with told him about Dr. Scinta and how it had been different for her than any other doctor so my mom figured why not try; it wasn’t like we had anything to lose. After my first visit with the nutritionist and the consult with Dr. Scinta, I honestly thought that it was a waste of time and that it was just going to be like every other doctor I had previously seen. But obviously, it wasn’t; the staff is great and Dr. Scinta actually gets to know you as a person, not just as a patient. Dr. Scinta was able who explained everything and worked to fix the things wrong with my body that I had no idea were even problems to being with.
It’s a lot of hard work and it does take time, the weight doesn’t magically disappear, as I said before, I’ve been a patient for four years. It’s taken a lot of perseverance, patience, and personal desire for me to get where I am today. If I hadn’t really wanted this change primarily for me, then it wouldn’t have been as successful. There were times when I didn’t want to continue because I didn’t see the automatic results that I wanted and I was embarrassed of having to lose so much weight at such a young age. After talking with my mom and Dr. Scinta, I realized that it was all under my control; they weren’t going to make me continue if I didn’t want to. I also came to understand that the results aren’t automatic: there is no magic pill that would make me instantly lose weight as well as happy, healthy, and comfortable with myself. It takes an awful lot of mental will power and determination to change your whole life and who you are, but in the end it is worth waiting and being able to grow as a person.
You look amazing Cassie and are an inspiration to many! The point you made about the diet not working unless you want for yourself can’t be more the truth if not the most important part! Congrats again on being amazing and good luck at school 🙂
I cannot tell you enough how proud I am of you. Not only for the perseverance and dedication you showed to achieve your goal, but for the person you are and will be. Mom
Cassie- Congrats on your success. You have shown so much dedication and determination. You get the big picture and just stay in that mindset and you will do just fine.
Cassie, You are truly an inspiration and the definition of integrity. It has been an honor and a privilege to watch you reach your goal and excel with maintenance.