Are you unclear what life might look like after bariatric surgery? Or do you have high expectations that all of your struggles will be cured post-op? In our bariatric support group meetings, we often have people with unclear expectations, or even disappointment when it comes to their post-op results. This week, Dr. Mimi Tan joins us while we talk about the most common unrealistic expectations people have, and how to approach surgery in a realistic way. Dr. Tan explains how she prepares her clients pre-op, and we talk about the fear of failure that some people might experience after surgery. Tune in to learn more about expectations and what life after surgery may look like.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:29] Dr. Tan introduces herself.

• [3:56] What are the most common unrealistic expectations that Dr. Tan sees patients have when it comes to recovery and their life after surgery?

• [8:22] Why does Dr. Tan think people go into their survey having unrealistic expectations?

• [10:44] What does Dr. Tan think is the most important thing to do as a patient going into surgery?

• [13:51] How does Dr. Tan set her clients up for success?

• [18:44] What is the fear of failure that some people might experience after surgery?

• [25:10] Dr. Tan talks about regain and insufficient weight loss.

• [27:12] What are realistic expectations Dr. Tan talks to her patients about?

• [32:46] What is one thing that Dr. Tan wishes listeners and bariatric patients everywhere knew about what life after surgery is like?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Having open communication with your surgeon is essential for your post op journey. Talking about your wins, but also your struggles to understand what further options there are is so important.

• Bariatric surgery is an imperfect tool and it will not fix all of your issues.

• Life after bariatric surgery is complicated. Obesity is a lifelong disease and is a lifelong struggle for most people.

• Remember that everyone’s journey is their own. Comparison is a thief of joy, don’t compare your results to someone else’s. Comparing yourself to yourself is really the only marker you should use.

RESOURCES:

• Eviva Bariatric Services Website

• Dr. Mimi Tan, MD Instagram

• Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment - https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community

• Want to see bonus content? Head over to Patreon to get more and to support the podcast for as low as $5 per month! https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Mimi Tan is a board-certified general surgeon and fellowship trained bariatric and metabolic surgeon. She currently practices in Seattle, WA. In her free time, she likes hiking and listening to podcasts!

ABOUT:

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.

About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

BariNation - Website

BariNation - Podcast

Do you feel like you are falling off track with your habits and routines now that summer is here? It can feel easy to lose your regular practices when kids are out of school or you are going on vacation, or attending summer BBQs, but there is hope! This week we discuss adapting to new routines during summer and how to make your new schedule successful. We also talk about how you may even find that something new you implement is something you want to continue with well into fall. Tune in to learn more about switching things up.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:05] April discusses how summer can change our routines.

• [4:41] How does April adjust her schedule during summer?

• [8:12] How can you incorporate new things into your schedule?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Summer is a great time to try new habits, routines, or things you’ve been wanting to implement into your bariatric journey.

• You may find things in your summer routine that you want to implement into your routine permanently.

• Give yourself grace for how things shift in each season, remember your goals and keep moving forward!

RESOURCES:

• Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment - https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community

• Want to see bonus content? Head over to Patreon to get more and to support the podcast for as low as $5 per month! https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast

BIOGRAPHY:

April Williams is the Founder and CEO of BariNation. She is a passionate educator with two decades of experience in public teaching and leadership. She is utilizing her skills to create a safe and inclusive online support community for bariatric patients in every stage with her co-founders Jason Smith and Natalie Tierney and the leading experts in obesity medicine and care. She lives in Washington State with her amazing husband and adorable Havanese floof.

ABOUT:

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.

About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

BariNation - Website

BariNation - Podcast

Happy Pride Month! On this episode of Bari Nation, we are excited to have BariNation Community Member, Maddie Allen, join the show. Maddie discusses how she found the courage to explore a different way of living when she decided to try dating women. She describes what it was like to explore her sexuality, as well as any fear she had around telling others that she was interested in women. Maddie is now happily married to her wife, and shares what she would like others to know when it comes to supporting love. Tune in to hear how her Bariatric journey led her to take new chances.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:39] How did Maddie find the courage to explore a different way of living and explore her sexuality?

• [6:18] Was it a weird experience to explore her sexuality? Was she worried about judgment?

• [10:06] How did Maddie get to the place where she decided she was just going to trust herself?

• [14:44] What Maddie hopes people can leave the conversation with today.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• If you don’t give something a try, you’ll never know!

• Nobody else has walked in your shoes, and nobody else has to. Trust yourself to know that your journey is the right journey for you.

• Open your mind up to try something new, whether that’s a new hobby, a new style, a new dating preference, just keep an open mind and try something different.

RESOURCES:

• Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment - https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community

• Want to see bonus content? Head over to Patreon to get more and to support the podcast starting at $5 per month! https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast

BIOGRAPHY:

My name is Maddie, I had bariatric surgery (gastric bypass) in 2017. I have lost 170 lbs and this year I’m coming back from some serious health conditions. I just married the love of my life, Angelina!

ABOUT:

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.

About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

BariNation - Website

BariNation - Podcast

While it may be a newly federally recognized holiday, Juneteenth is not new for those in the African American community. Today, the CEO of Bariatric Society, Nerissa Stewart joins the show to talk about Juneteenth, the importance of the holiday, where some of the traditions come from, and how the day is celebrated within black communities. We encourage you to listen to this episode to learn more about a day that celebrates freedom.

Comment “Juneteenth” below, and we will DM you links to the BariNation podcast playlist, amplifying black voices and expertise in our community, an educational resource, and a robust website to find and support black-owned businesses local to you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [1:16] Nerissa describes what it means to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth.

• [3:24] What opportunities does Juneteenth open up?

• [5:38] How is Juneteeth celebrated?

• [9:12] What are some ways Nerissa enjoys seeing people commemorating the day?

• [14:08] Where can you find Nerissa?

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Take the time to pause and think about and really understand the deeper meaning of what other communities went through throughout history.

• Juneteenth is celebrated in the black community with togetherness!

• Think of different ways that you can support the black community - refer someone to an opportunity, donate to an organization, learn more about the history of the day, think about the presidential candidates and what they support, and find a business that you can support!

RESOURCES:

• RissaRecharged Instagram

• RissaRecharged Popular Links

• National Museum of African American History - Juneteenth

• By Black Website

• PMI Inc. Online Website

• Join the BariNation Membership community meetups to support you on your journey with obesity treatment - https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community

• Want to see bonus content? Head over to Patreon to get more and to support the podcast starting at just $5 a month! https://www.patreon.com/BariNationPodcast

BIOGRAPHY:

Nerissa Stewart is the CEO of Bariatric Society and four years post-op VSG. Aside from her work within the Bariatric Community, Nerissa is a respected leader and speaker in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) field with over 15 years experience leading diverse teams and initiatives. In her corporate roles, Nerissa has worked for the inclusion of all and has received numerous awards including the distinction of Outstanding Black Alumni by her Alma mater Mary Baldwin University.

ABOUT:

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.

About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

BariNation - Website

BariNation - Podcast

We cannot believe we have made it to our 200th episode! Come celebrate by getting a peak into a BariNation Community Member meeting. This is a safe place for our community members to share their wins, struggles, and goals with likeminded people. During this episode, you will hear from several of our BariNation members, with a focus on self love and self talk throughout your bariatric journey. You’ll understand why having a support system is so important after bariatric surgery. Tune in today to learn more about the community and connect with others.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [2:29] BariNation Member shares their experience seeing other members in person and the difficulties they experience getting back to "real life"

• [9:12] How to handle negative self-talk about your journey.

• [10:46] A BariNation Member shares one of his wins around movement!

• [15:25] Another BariNation member talks about the power of community and support as well as his struggles with love.

• [22:15] BariNation member, Margaret shares how she feels about self love.

• [24:00] Andrea shares about her journey with self love and learning to put herself first.

• [26:52] BariNation member, Christine, shares about her wins and realizations during one weekend with friends.

• [28:56] Natalie shares her thoughts on self love and celebrating wins.

• [31:52] BariNation member, Ashlea, shares a win for her getting back to habits consistently.

• [33:17] BariNation Member, Tony, talks about the importance of support.

• [35:57] BariNation Member, Tabitha, shares about her current win, struggle, and goal and onboarding with Ozempic.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Each body is individual. Just because someone else had a huge weight loss post surgery, doesn’t mean that your body will react the same. You will go back and forth between commitment and life and maintenance stages.

• One of the best things you can do while you navigate your journey is to have a community and support group. People you can lean on to celebrate wins and struggles.

• The BariNation Membership Community is a network of experts and peers where you can connect with the support, education, and resources that you need in the moment to move through your bariatric life with confidence.

RESOURCES:

BariNation - Website

BariNation - Podcast

Join the BariNation Membership community for daily meetups just like the one you're listening to or watching - https://barination.com/pages/join-our-community

ABOUT:

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.
About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

Welcome to the very first professionally produced episode of the BariNation Podcast! Your hosts, April Williams, Jason Smith, and Natalie Tierney, are thrilled to embark on this journey with you. In this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Pesta, a renowned expert in bariatrics. Dr. Pesta starts the discussion by sharing the critical markers of obesity. He then delves into the various preliminary approaches to overcoming the disease of obesity, including bariatric surgery. He also highlights how different cultures are affected. The conversation continues with an in-depth look at post-surgery medical approaches, weight loss statistics, the safety of bariatric procedures, insurance considerations, and the importance of patient readiness for surgery. Finally, Dr. Pesta leaves us with an essential tip: don’t give up. Take the first step and commit to weight loss for long-term good health.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• • [0:33] Hosts April Williams, Jason Smith, and Natalie Tierney are excited to welcome you to the first professionally produced BariNation Podcast.
• • [8:38] Dr. Pesta shares his background and profession. He provides the markers of obesity
• • [15:17] Dr. Pesta explains the different options patients should explore going from a preliminary approach to bariatric surgery and how cultures are affected differently
• • [22:50] Discussion of continuation of various medical approaches after surgery
• • [28:59] Dr. Pesta discusses weight loss in percentages, the safety of bariatric surgery and insurance coverage
• • [33:47] Discussion of readiness of a patient to have surgery
• • [37:36] One consideration is that once you start the weight loss medication, it is a lifelong decision
• • [41:22] Explanation of the BariNation Community and why membership is beneficial

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• • [10:05] Obesity is a disease. A doctor can diagnose a patient to determine whether they are obese by establishing the patient’s BMI.
• • [15:34] Research shows that improving a patient’s BMI earlier helps them return to a normal body mass index under 25.
• • [30:05] Data supports that bariatric surgery is even safer than having your gallbladder out because of all the workups done before weight loss surgery.

RESOURCES:

BariNation - Website

BariNation - Podcast

BIOGRAPHY:

Dr. Carl Pesta is a McLaren Macomb board-certified general surgeon who specializes in advanced laparoscopic surgical weight loss procedures. He is also a “Center of Excellence” bariatric surgeon.

He earned his medical degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Pesta completed his residency at McLaren Macomb and a bariatric surgery proctorship at Henry Ford Bi-County Hospital. He performs a wide variety of bariatric procedures, as well as revision and conversion procedures.

Dr. Pesta is leading the comprehensive bariatric program Dr. Carl Pestaat the McLaren Macomb. With 18 years experience as a surgeon, Dr. Pesta has performed more than 5,000 bariatric procedures. The bariatrics program at McLaren Macomb provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to caring for the healthcare needs of patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

ABOUT:

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.

About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

Do you think about food often? Are there constant food-related thoughts racing through your brain every day? This constant chatter centered around food has been dubbed “food noise,” and it seems to be a topic of great discussion lately, but for good reason. For decades, people fighting the disease of obesity knew what it was because they experienced it constantly, we just never had a term for it, and we just didn’t know it was something other people experienced.

Obesity is an isolating disease, and for so long, April, Jason, and Natalie through their excess weight were 100% their fault. Despite trying every diet, workout program, cleanse, fast, and pill, they could never find and maintain a healthy weight. But after they each underwent bariatric surgery, they noticed that food noise disappeared. It just went away, leaving them in shock at just how much time, energy, and capacity the disease was taking from them.

In this episode, your hosts shared their experiences with "food noise," the constant chatter in the mind about food, and its impact on their relationship with food post-surgery. They shared strategies for managing this food noise, including visualization, community, education, therapy, mindful eating, and self-compassion.

They also share some very exciting news at the end of this episode, so listen and watch to the end! BariNation is growing in the most amazing ways and we have YOU, our listeners, watchers, supporters, and community members to thank!

If you are struggling with food noise and want some professional help dealing with it, join the BariNation Support Community, and connect with fellow patients and experts in our safe and inclusive community. Visit https://barination.mn.co to learn more!

If the BariNation podcast helps power your bariatric journey, become a monthly podcast supporter and help us produce the show! Visit www.barinationpodcast.com and help us support people treating the disease of obesity with humor, humility, and honesty.

About Your Hosts: April, Jason, and Natalie are all bariatric patients who were inspired to create the community and support they needed. BariNation empowers people to treat their disease of obesity in kind, compassionate, and caring ways through the community they founded. As they learn to live the pillars of bariatric success (movement, mindset, metabolic wellness), they share their experiences and “aha” moments with their friends and followers.

About BariNation: BariNation is a bariatric educational organization on a mission to empower patients to access and utilize the tools, resources, and education needed to find and maintain personal wellness. We connect patients with the support they need, when and where they need it. BariNation produces an award-winning weekly podcast distributed on all major podcast and video platforms and hosts a support membership community that teams up with credentialed and licensed bariatric experts and clinicians.

Follow BariNation on Instagram and TikTok, and visit us online at www.barination.com. You can also connect with each of the hosts personally on Instagram; follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers.

You’ve got this and we’ve got you!