Beyond the Scale: Understanding Weight Loss
By Viktor Stakhnyuk, PA-C
When it comes to weight loss, the number on the scale is only part of the story. True success is not just about losing weight. It’s about improving your overall health and preserving the muscle and bone that help keep you strong and active.
At Transform, we use DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry), the gold standard for body composition analysis. A DEXA scan measures fat mass, lean muscle mass, visceral fat, and bone density, providing a much clearer picture of your health than weight or BMI alone.
Two people can lose the same amount of weight yet experience very different health outcomes. Our goal is to help you lose excess body fat while preserving lean muscle and supporting bone health. DEXA testing allows us to monitor these changes and personalize your treatment plan based on how your body responds.
Sustainable weight loss is about more than a smaller number on the scale. It’s about creating lasting improvements in your health, energy, strength, and quality of life. DEXA helps us make informed decisions so your progress is measured by what truly matters.
Ready to Learn More About Your Health?
Where are you on your list of fall priorities? Your health deserves to be closer to the top.
If you’re not feeling your best and aren’t sure where to start, schedule a DEXA scan and metabolic assessment. Our healthcare team can help you understand your body composition, identify opportunities for improvement, and create a personalized plan to help you feel healthier, stronger, and more energized.
Schedule your DEXA scan today and take the first step toward transforming your health.
Congrats to Jon and Renee Boulet on your Transformation!
The Scale Said 200 Pounds—DEXA Told the Real Story
Most weight loss programs celebrate pounds lost. At Transform, we focus on something far more important: what the body is actually made of.
That’s where DEXA body composition analysis changes everything. A traditional scale simply tells you how much you weigh. A DEXA scan reveals how much of that weight is body fat, lean muscle, bone mass, and even visceral fat surrounding the organs. It allows us to objectively measure and track metabolic health throughout a patient’s journey.
The Scale Doesn't Tell Everything
Jon entered our Transform at Home program at 394 pounds.
Today, he’s 194 pounds and 16.2% body fat.
But the most important number isn’t the 200 pounds lost.
It’s the transformation happening beneath the surface.
✅ Fat Mass: 157 lbs → 33 lbs
✅ Body Fat: 45% → 16.2%
✅ Improved body composition
✅ Improved metabolic health
These DEXA scans show exactly why we believe in measuring more than weight.
A scale can tell you what you’ve lost.
A DEXA scan shows what you’ve gained: better health, better body composition, and a healthier future.
The images below tell the story better than any scale ever could.
The DEXA comparison illustrates a dramatic change in body composition and overall metabolic health. This is why we use advanced body composition tracking throughout our program. It helps us move beyond simply “losing weight” and focus on building healthier, stronger bodies.
Another TRANSFORMED Life
Jon, you should be incredibly proud of what you’ve accomplished.
At Transform Health & Wellness, our quick, non-invasive DEXA scan provides valuable insights into your bone health, helping you and your healthcare team make informed decisions about prevention, nutrition, exercise, and treatment options. The scan is painless, takes only minutes to complete, and can give you the information you need to maintain your strength, mobility, and independence for years to come.
As you organize your fall schedule, remember to make your health a priority. A DEXA scan is the gold standard for body composition analysis, providing valuable insight into your metabolic health. Schedule your scan this month and meet with our healthcare professionals to review your results, better understand your overall health, and develop a personalized plan for your wellness journey!
Congratulations to Dr. Peter Billing—One of Seattle Magazine’s Top Docs for 2026
We are proud to share that Dr. Peter Billing, Founder and Medical Director of Transform Health & Wellness, has been named one of Seattle Magazine’s Top Doctors in Bariatric Surgery for 2026.
This prestigious recognition reflects Dr. Billing’s longstanding commitment to helping patients achieve lasting weight loss and better health through innovative, patient-centered care. With more than 20 years of experience in bariatric surgery and metabolic medicine, Dr. Billing has helped thousands of individuals transform their lives and overcome weight-related health challenges.
A pioneer in outpatient sleeve gastrectomy, Dr. Billing was the first surgeon to perform the procedure in an outpatient setting, helping make surgical weight loss more accessible, convenient, and affordable for patients. His work continues to advance the field of metabolic health while delivering exceptional outcomes for those seeking sustainable weight loss solutions.
“This recognition is truly a reflection of our entire team and the trust our patients place in us every day,” said Dr. Billing. “Helping people improve their health, regain confidence, and create brighter futures is what inspires us.”
Through both in-person care and the Transform At Home telehealth platform, Dr. Billing and the Transform Health & Wellness team remain dedicated to providing personalized surgical and non-surgical weight loss solutions designed to support long-term success.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Billing on this well-deserved honor. We are grateful for his leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming lives, one patient at a time.
Transform Health & Wellness Expands Our Care Network
We are excited to share that Transform has acquired Northwest Weight & Wellness Center and Sound Surgeons in Everett, Washington, further expanding access to comprehensive bariatric, wellness, and surgical care throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Northwest Weight & Wellness Center has long been recognized for its expertise in weight management and bariatric care, while Sound Surgeons provides advanced minimally invasive surgical services through its fully accredited surgical center. Together, these organizations serve patients across Seattle, Spokane, and surrounding communities.
This acquisition reflects our continued commitment to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care while expanding access to specialized medical services. Planned investments in the practice include the addition of new service lines, recruitment of specialty physicians, and facility enhancements, including robotic surgical capabilities.
As Transform continues to grow, patients can look forward to broader access to high-quality care across multiple specialties, including bariatric surgery, general surgery, gynecology, cosmetic surgery, and pain management.
We are proud to welcome the Northwest Weight & Wellness Center and Sound Surgeons teams to the Transform family and look forward to building an even stronger network of care for our patients and communities.
A reminder that Rick Rosenfield is now a member of the team at Transform Health & Wellness
Our patients now have access to advanced women’s health services through Transform Women’s Health, including specialized gynecologic and reproductive care.
With more than 25 years of experience and an international reputation for excellence in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, Dr. Rosenfield combines world-class expertise with a highly personalized, patient-centered approach to care.
Through this collaboration, patients can conveniently access services that include:
- Minimally invasive hysterectomy
- Advanced endometriosis excision
- Fertility optimization and reproductive healthcare
Many women live with symptoms that affect their health, fertility, and quality of life without finding clear answers or effective treatment. Our partnership is designed to connect patients with expert care, individualized treatment plans, and compassionate support every step of the way.
Patients can expect:
- Personalized care and attention
- Advanced surgical expertise
- Individualized treatment planning
- Ongoing support and education
- A seamless, compassionate care experience
At Transform Health & Wellness, we remain committed to helping every patient achieve lasting improvements in their health and well-being through comprehensive, coordinated care.
To learn more, visit Transform Women’s Health, email coordinator@transformweightloss.com, or call (425) 305-5182.
We are honored to be part of your healthcare journey and look forward to continuing to serve your evolving health and wellness needs.
Fall Wellness Tips
We love fall! The vibrant fall colors, cozy evenings, and crisp mornings remind me that just as seasons change, we have the opportunity to shift our mindset and choose a reset as well.
School routines have been established, and the holiday rush has yet to begin so consider scheduling these 5 wellness days now!
- Adult field trip day: take yourself somewhere interesting and have a mini adventure! Try a new restaurant, walk through a new neighborhood, go to a museum.
- Connection day: spend time with family and friends!
- Reset and unplug day: choose stillness and peace. Reflect, journal, nap, do a puzzle, express gratitude.
- Inspiration/create day: Art, music, cooking- do something that fills your soul!
- Nature day: walk outside, catch a sunset, go by the water.
Fun Fall Food Inspiration
Creamy Pumpkin + Lentil Soup
This creamy pumpkin & lentil soup combines plant-based protein and fiber with the nutrients found in pumpkin and lentils, making it a satisfying option for a chilly fall day.
Save this one for your next cozy meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry red lentils, rinsed
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup chopped carrot
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ cup light coconut milk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onion and carrot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and spices and cook for 1 minute.
- Add lentils, pumpkin, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat.
- Simmer for 20–25 minutes, until the lentils are very soft.
- Blend until smooth with an immersion blender, then stir in coconut milk and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for a little crunch.
Did somebody say party?
Homemade Ranch Dip
1 cup plain Greek yogurt mixed with 1 Tbsp. Ranch seasoning spice packet.
