Our Sleeved Life Podcast

Navigating a breast cancer diagnosis alongside bariatric health changes or plastic surgery options can feel overwhelming, but understanding your medical choices brings clarity and peace of mind. In this special Breast Cancer Awareness Month episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, host Mel sits down with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas and clinical social worker Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes...

When Sarah chose gastric bypass surgery (RNY), she expected a life-changing weight loss journey she didn’t expect that losing weight would help save her life from Stage 3 breast cancer. In this candid episode for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Mel sits down with long-time OSLP listener Sarah (@pullingtogetherfive) to discuss navigating bariatric surgery, discovering an invasive lobular carcinoma,...

Thinking about weight loss surgery or traveling abroad for bariatric procedures? Before you book that flight, listen to Tiffany’s harrowing, unfiltered bariatric journey. From growing up in Appalachia with severe body image struggles to reaching 364 lbs, Tiffany shares why she chose medical tourism, the terrifying reality of her surgery in Tijuana, and the life-threatening complications that follo...

Are you curious about where plastic surgery scars are placed, how they heal, and how top plastic surgeons minimize their visibility? In this SCAR deep-dive on The Cutting Edge Podcast, host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg), bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes (LCSW), and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas (MD FACS) go in-studio to review real patient cases, surgical scar placements, an...

Why are bariatric revisions on the rise, and how is single-port robotic technology transforming weight loss surgery? In this episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg) sits down with bariatric and robotic surgeon Dr. Donald Fridley, MD, founder of the Center for Robotic and Metabolic Surgery (CRMS). Dr. Fridley shares why 60% of his surgical practice now consists of revisio...

Can weight loss surgery completely reverse infertility caused by PCOS? In this fun, raw, and inspiring episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast , host Mel sits down with bariatric community pillar, author, and mom of five, Rissa (@rissarecharged)! Whether you are navigating weight loss surgery as a couple, dealing with PCOS and metabolic dysfunction, or curious about surprise pregnancies post-op, Rissa...

Unlock the secrets to achieving quality skin and understanding excess skin in our latest episode of the Cutting Edge Podcast! Join host Mel Gottfried, along with Dr. Omar Beidas and Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW, as they dive deep into the complexities of skin quality and the impact of weight loss on your body. Key takeaways: Discover the difference between quality skin and excess skin. Learn about...

Are GLP-1 medications replacing bariatric surgery, or is the entire approach to weight loss evolving? In this enlightening episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast , host Mel sits down with veteran bariatric and metabolic surgeon Dr. Eric Smith to discuss why his practice completely eliminated traditional bariatric seminars in favor of comprehensive "Obesity Consults." If you are navigating weight...

Can you get plastic surgery if you have poor skin elasticity or a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast , host Mel sits down with bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas to break down the critical role skin quality plays in body contouring success. If you are a massive weight...

How do you lose 300lbs and maintain it after reaching a peak weight of 500lbs? In this deeply moving and psychological episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel sits down with psychologist Stasia Bowen (@ 500tofreedom ) to break down how rewiring her brain saved her life after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG). If you are struggling with severe emotional eating, bariatric recovery, trauma,...

Are you curious about the latest innovations in body contouring, breast lifts, and cellulite treatments? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast , host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg), bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes (LCSW), and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas (MD FACS) discuss cutting-edge techniques fresh from international medical conferences! From the truth about "Inter...

Have you ever wondered what actually happens inside your abdomen during a bariatric revision? In this episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast , host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg) sits down with board-certified bariatric surgeon Dr. Betsy Dovec to watch and review actual 4K high-definition video footage of Mel’s Gastric Sleeve (VSG) to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RNY) revision surgery! 11 years after her orig...

The Cutting Edge #26 Are you currently taking a GLP-1 medication (like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound) and planning for plastic surgery or general anesthesia? In this critical episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, host Mel sits down with bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas to unpack the medical, psychological, and surgical risks eve...

Can a GLP-1 medication like Zepbound help you break through severe bariatric weight regain years after surgery? In this episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast , host Mel celebrates her 11years bariatric anniversary by sitting down with Jenny Espino (@ jennyloseswithzep ). After undergoing gastric bypass surgery 20 years ago, Jenny lost 112lbs built a family, and welcomed four boys. But after a de...

Are your legs painful, heavy, and constantly swelling? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, Mel, Ashlyn, and Dr. Beidas break down the medical and emotional realities of Lipedema and Lymphedema.   Whether you are a bariatric patient dealing with post-op swelling, a woman who suspect she has lipedema but has been dismissed by doctors, or someone researching advanced lymphatic surgery option...

Can you completely reverse severe fatty liver disease and reclaim your life after being told you have less than 5 years to live? In this incredibly inspiring episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Mel sits down with Brenda Langford (known as @brendasavedherlife) to discuss her jaw-dropping 310lbs massive weight loss journey. If you are navigating bariatric surgery (VSG or bypass), dealing with e...

Are you terrified of plastic surgery drains or wondering if a drainless tummy tuck is right for you? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, bariatric patient Mel, bariatric therapist Ashlyn, and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas pull back the curtain on everything you need to know about post-op drains. If you are a massive weight loss patient planning your body contouring journ...

💜 From hiding in men's jeans as a teenager to losing 130+ pounds and embracing her unique style, Jodi's bariatric journey is one of transformation, confidence, and self-acceptance. In this episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Mel sits down with Jodi (@remaking_jodi) to discuss her experience with gastric bypass surgery, body image, excess skin removal, food noise, GLP-1 medications, and the e...

Are you dealing with unexpected weight regain or debilitating acid reflux years after your bariatric surgery? You are not alone. In this episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast (OSLP), Mel sits down with bariatric surgeon Dr. Betsy Dovec and registered dietitian Hannah Schuyler, the power duo behind Body by Bariatrics . Together, they pull back the curtain on why gastric sleeves commonly lead to n...

What does it truly take to reverse severe sleep apnea, throw away your CPAP machine, and drop nearly 200 pounds? In this incredibly raw and inspiring patient story, your host Mel sits down with Arthur Shadwick @mypurposefit to talk about what life is really like on both sides of bariatric surgery. Arthur opens up about growing up as a heavy child, hitting his highest weight of 440 pounds, and maki...

Choosing a plastic surgeon can feel overwhelming—but did you know that not everyone performing cosmetic procedures is actually a board-certified plastic surgeon? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, we break down the critical differences between board-certified plastic surgeons and cosmetic surgeons, why those distinctions matter, and how they can impact your safety, results, and overall s...

Can you transition from bariatric surgery to a competitive bodybuilding stage? In this episode, host Mel sits down with Jessica Shock @jessica__shock to explore her mind-blowing 170-pound weight loss transformation following RNY gastric bypass surgery. From navigating a complex medical history including childhood cancer, a traumatic brain injury, and a post-op Crohn’s diagnosis to winning "Overall...

In this episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Ana sits down with us to share the REAL side of bariatric surgery, weight loss, emotional eating, food addiction, CrossFit, bodybuilding, and everything in between. 💜 This conversation got deep fast. Ana opens up about struggling with obesity her entire life, dealing with PCOS and hypothyroidism, emotional eating, family trauma, and how food became bot...

Men get plastic surgery too… but nobody really talks about it 👀 In this episode of the Cutting Edge Podcast, we’re having a conversation that honestly feels long overdue. From loose skin after massive weight loss to gynecomastia, body contouring, high-definition liposuction, and even the mental side of body image this episode dives into what men actually experience after bariatric surgery and wei...

Epi 352 What autoimmune disease REALLY does to your body goes far beyond occasional fatigue or inflammation. In this episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, we sit down with resilience coach and medical professional Nikolett Demeter from Pop Recovery to have an honest conversation about chronic illness, lupus, gut health, bariatric nutrition, inflammation, and what it actually feels like to live...