A HEATHY U-TURN

British author Tim Weiss lost 140 pounds in a year and has written a book to help others do the same. He weighed 300 pounds and literally awoke one day with the thought that he needed to change his life. In “I Lost 140 Pounds in a Year,” he shares everything he did on his amazing journey to better health. The single dad of two girls is considered a man of determination. He took that determination and made it work for him. His book offers tips, recipes, and hard truths about losing weight and keep it off.

The Gain From A Big Loss

Being overweight was always an issue for Caiti Smith until she found the right place for the help she needed.

WRITER: LEIGH NEELY PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ

When you meet Caiti Smith, you see a vibrant, healthy young woman with a glow about her. It’s obvious she loves life, loves the work she does, and has a deep-seated joy. However, it took Caiti a while to get to the place where she is now, and she readily shares her

“My whole life I battled my weight

Though she was active in high school, she was still overweight. Nothing seemed to make a difference in her size.

Finally, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. It’s an autoimmune disease that often starts slowly in early teens when

Symptoms become more noticeable after weight gain. They can include hair loss, acne and oily skin, insulin resistance, and fertility problems.

Once she was diagnosed, Caiti said she felt free to blame her weight on PCOS. Gradually, she gained another 60 pounds. “It was an excuse to let

In April 2016, after seeing a photo of herself, she decided it was time to

“I decided that wasn’t how I wanted

She began working out and eating somewhat healthier and lost 20 because her “healthy” choices weren’t all that healthy, and she thought she could burn calories with her workout to counteract their effect.

“Aubrey Akers and I are good friends, and she suggested I go see her mom at Total Nutrition & Therapeutics (TNT), nally got the help I

She began seeing Lori Esarey in December 2016 and since then, Caiti has lost 85 pounds and 10 percent of her body fat. At the time, she was working in an insurance office while getting a bachelor’s degree in organizational management. In January, she joined the TNT team and it was life-changing for her.

“I think it changed my outlook on my self-image and how I see other people,” Caiti says. “My husband and I have always wanted children, and I wanted to be sure I was setting an example for them.”

Caiti says it’s God’s plan and God’s timing, so she can wait. Meanwhile, she’s helping other people every day because she knows what they’re experiencing as they make their own lifestyle changes.

Advanced Robotic Surgery Free Hernia Screening

The surgeons are joining with Orlando Health South Lake Hospital for free hernia screenings.

Monday, November 6th

National Training Center in Clermont at 5:30 PM.

If you feel you may have a hernia or not sure, this screening could benefit you.

RSVP to 352.241.7109 no later than Friday, November 3rd

Space is limited so make your appointment today.

Patient Benefits

Robotic – assisted surgery is minimally invasive surgery that allows our specially trained surgeons to use the da Vinci Surgical System to perform a wide range of delicate and complex procedures through a few small incisions. Benefits of robotic-assisted surgery vs. open surgery include:

• A shorter hospital stay

• Less blood loss

• Fewer complications

• Less need for narcotic pain medicine

• A faster recovery

• Smaller incisions associated with minimal scarring.

Our surgeons are all Board Certified. Dr. Johnson and Dr. Florin also serve as trainers and mentors to other physicians seeking to learn robotic surgery.