Our Sleeved Life Podcast

Epi 13 Can you die from plastic surgery? In this episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, we break down the real death risk of plastic surgery, including tummy tuck, liposuction, and anesthesia complications.   Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar E. Beidas, MD, FACS and therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes explain:   ✔️ The actual plastic surgery mortality rate ✔️ Can anesthesia kill you? ✔️ Blood cl...

Epi 12 Welcome back to The Cutting Edge Podcast with host Mel featuring Dr. Omar E. Beidas, MD, FACS (plastic surgeon) and Ashlyn Douglass Barnes, LCSW (therapist and post weight loss patient). In this episode of our Fear Series , we tackle one of the biggest hurdles before body contouring and plastic surgery after major weight loss: the fear of the unknown and the fear of regret . You’ll hear wha...

Epi 11 Let’s talk about the fear that no one wants to admit out loud — the fear of dying under anesthesia , waking up during surgery , or something going horribly wrong 😳 In this unfiltered episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast , Ashlyn sits down with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas to talk about the truth behind anesthesia in plastic surgery — especially for patients undergoing...

Epi 10 Planning a surgery-cation? 👙✈️ Before you book that flight to Mexico , Colombia , or the Dominican Republic for a tummy tuck , BBL , or skin removal surgery — STOP and watch this first. Seriously. 🛑 In this juicy episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast , Ashlyn and Mel sit down with Dr. Omar Beidas , a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in post-weight loss body contouring — a...

Epi 345 Welcome back to Our Sleeved Life Podcast ! In this episode, host Mel sits down with Jaylin (MSN, RN) , a resilience coach and nurse (and POP expert) to talk about the real reason New Year motivation fades and how to keep showing up for yourself long after the “new year, new me” energy is gone. If you’ve been feeling burnt out , stuck in all or nothing thinking , overwhelmed by ADHD product...

Epi 9 Struggling with loose skin or body changes after major weight loss? 💪 Wondering how to pay for plastic surgery like tummy tucks, arm lifts, or skin removal? In this episode, we break down real costs , insurance coverage options , and financing tools like CareCredit , Cherry , and payment plans . ✅ Learn what insurance might cover (like panniculectomy or breast reduction) ✅ Understand what...

Epi 344 What if the real transformation after weight loss surgery isn’t physical — but mental? In this deeply honest and empowering episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, therapist and bariatric patient Kristen French reveals the emotional side of WLS no one talks about — and how to retrain your brain after surgery. If you’ve ever struggled with emotional eating, self-sabotage, or feeling disconnect...

Epi 8 In this powerful episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, Mel and Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes (LCSW & bariatric + skin removal patient) sit down with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar E. Beidas to talk about the things no one prepares you for after massive weight loss and plastic surgery. 💬 We dive deep into: ✅ What real support looks like after plastic surgery ✅ Mental health, compression,...

Epi 344 If you're post-op and still grinding on the treadmill… stop right there! 👟 In this powerful episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast , Mel welcomes back Kayla Girgen, RD, CPT , a leading bariatric dietitian and certified personal trainer , to reveal a low-impact, high-results fitness strategy: Rucking . Whether you're on GLP-1 medications , dealing with post-op fatigue , or looking to rebuild...

Epi 7   What does plastic surgery really feel like after the operating room lights go off? In this deeply personal and medically-informed episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, we talk openly about the pain, fear, medications, and misconceptions surrounding recovery after procedures like tummy tucks, liposuction, muscle repair, and 360 body lifts.   Our host Mel, 10 years post-bariatric surgery, kno...

Epi 341   In this episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Mel sits down with Rebecca Robbins to explore the powerful connection between ADHD, dopamine, food, and weight struggles. Rebecca shares her journey through diet culture, grief, weight loss surgery, insulin resistance, and finally finding answers that helped her understand her body instead of fighting it.   This conversation breaks down ho...

Epi 340 Feeling triggered, lonely, or stuck during the holidays? You're not alone—and this episode is here to help you THRIVE 🎄💪 Join your host Mel and Fruzsina Varga, MA, LPC, CMHCA—licensed clinician & mindset coach from POP Recovery Systems—as we deep-dive into the emotional rollercoaster of the post-op journey, identity crisis, body image struggles, and how to reset your mindset during the m...

EPI 6 On this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, Mel is joined by bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW, and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas for a deep, honest, and much-needed conversation about something patients rarely talk about out loud: What do you do when the people you expected to support your plastic surgery… don’t? This episode breaks down the real reasons pa...

EPI: 339 Today on Our Sleeved Life Podcast , Mel sits down with Kimberly for a powerful and emotional patient story you’ll never forget. After surviving long-haul COVID, battling cardiomyopathy, going through a hysterectomy, and reaching her highest weight of 360 lbs, Kimberly made the life-changing decision to undergo VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) . Now, 14 months later, she has lost 145 poun...

Epi 5 Think you're ready for plastic surgery? Think again. In this eye-opening episode of the Cutting Edge Podcast, Mel sits down with Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes and Dr. Omar E. Beidas (MD, FACS) to reveal the raw truth about post-op recovery — the stuff you won’t hear during a consult. Whether you're prepping for lipo 360, skin removal, or bariatric plastic surgery, this is the real talk you need. 💬...

Epi 338 In this powerful episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast , Jefe shares his raw and unfiltered story — from battling trauma and unhealthy food habits to reclaiming his health after gastric sleeve surgery. 💪 This is more than a weight loss story. It's a transformation of mindset, lifestyle, and self-love . 🎙️ Whether you’re considering bariatric surgery , navigating pre-op weight loss requireme...

Epi 4 Considering plastic surgery after major weight loss? Not sure where to start or what procedures actually give the best results? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast , host Mel dives deep with expert plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas, MD FACS and licensed clinical social worker Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW , to unpack the essential truths about body contouring, extended tummy tucks, 360...

Epi 337  In this value-packed episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel welcomes licensed dietitian Melanie Crum from Pop Recovery Systems to dive deep into strategies for surviving (and thriving!) during the holiday season after weight loss surgery.  From emotional eating triggers to smart holiday portion control, they share powerful advice for anyone navigating Thanksgiving after gastric sle...

Epi 336 What’s the real secret to sustainable fitness, flexible nutrition, and body confidence—without losing your mind or social life? 🤯 In this powerful episode, we sit down with Truth Body Systems, the sibling-led coaching powerhouse helping real people transform their health—for good. 💥 Meet: 👩‍⚕️ Parris Strouthos, B.Sc., PN1, CPT, CCPE 👩 Courtney Strouthos, B.A., PN1, NASM-CPT Whether you...

Epi 3 Welcome back to The Cutting Edge ! In this episode, Mel sits down with Dr. Omar Beidas, MD FACS (Plastic Surgeon) and Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW (Bariatric & Trauma Therapist) for a deep dive on one of the most overlooked steps in plastic-surgery readiness after weight loss: protein intake, healing nutrition, and how your body actually recovers after surgery. If you’re preparing for skin r...

Epi 2 Are you truly ready for plastic surgery after weight loss? In this powerful episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, we sit down with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas and therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW to answer the biggest post-op question: 👉 “How do I know I’m ready for skin removal or body contouring surgery after WLS?” Whether you’re months or years out from your gast...

Epi 335 New from Our Sleeved Life Podcast Welcome to the newest episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast! Today, we sit down with Josie Wilson, a bariatric patient who’s 3.5 years post-op — and she’s keeping it real about life after surgery. This isn’t the before-and-after fantasy. This is what happens when the honeymoon phase ends — and the emotional, physical, and mental battles begin. 🎯 If you’ve e...

Epi 1 Welcome to the first episode of our NEW series on The Sleeved Life Podcast! If you've had bariatric surgery, are considering plastic surgery after weight loss, or struggling with mental health during your transformation — this is for you. 💪 Join hosts Mel, Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW, and Dr. Omar Beidas, MD, FACS as they share unfiltered stories, professional insight, and expert advice on...

Epi 337   In this value-packed episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel welcomes licensed dietitian Melanie Crum from Pop Recovery Systems to dive deep into strategies for surviving (and thriving!) during the holiday season after weight loss surgery. From emotional eating triggers to smart holiday portion control, they share powerful advice for anyone navigating Thanksgiving after gastric sle...

Epi 334 Are carbs the enemy—or the answer—after weight loss surgery? In this explosive episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel sits down with bariatric dietitian Kim Tirapelle, MS, RD, CSSD, to uncover the real science behind carb intake after bariatric surgery.   Learn how carbohydrates can actually help you build muscle, prevent fatigue, and fuel your post-op workouts—without sabotaging yo...