The BariNation Foundation Podcast

What are the advantages of a bariatric surgery care team? Today, you will discover the vital role of an integrated health team in bariatric surgery. On this episode of the BariNation podcast, we are thrilled to interview Heidi Bednarchuk, exploring why a cohesive bariatric surgery care team is key to patient care success. From pre-op preparation to post-op support, discover how to choose a team th...

Have you ever felt stuck in your bariatric journey, unsure what to do next?  Are you seeking a supportive community that understands life's challenges after surgery? If these questions resonate with you, you won’t want to miss this episode of the BariNation podcast. In this re-release episode, we dive deep into the real experiences and challenges of bariatric patients, offering tools and insi...

Have you had or are you preparing for bariatric surgery or starting GLP1’s and wondering how to avoid nutritional deficiencies? Do you know what Wernicke’s encephalopathy is and how easy it is to prevent and treat it? Tune in to this episode of the BariNation podcast to uncover critical insights!  We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Emma Patterson, a renowned expert in bariatric surgery with 25 yea...

Are you searching for a bariatric surgeon who truly understands the importance of lifelong support? Do you want to know how inclusive healthcare can transform your bariatric journey? Then you don’t want to miss this conversation because it may completely change how you think about your options for obesity care. Before we dive in, we’re thrilled to share that BariNation is a national sponsor of the...

Have you experienced weight recurrence after bariatric surgery, or worried about it happening to you? Do you want to understand how to manage your weight loss journey as a chronic disease? Tune in to this enlightening episode of the BariNation podcast to gain clarity!  We know how daunting weight recurrence can feel after bariatric surgery, and that’s why we’re thrilled to bring you this powe...

Are you ready to stomp the stigma around obesity care and treatment? Walk with us! Don’t miss this BariNation episode that’s all about empowering the bariatric community! BariNation is proud to be this year's National Sponsor of TREO Foundation's The Walk: Stomp the Stigma. Joining us is Dr. Saniea F. Majid, a bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist who’s leading the charge as President...

Do you ever wonder why the obesity epidemic continues to grow worldwide? Do you want to know how you can be part of the change? This conversation goes beyond borders to shine a light on the urgent need for better obesity awareness, more inclusive bariatric support, and stronger access to care across the globe. We’re here to show you that your story matters and that solutions exist, no matter where...

Did you know that ADHD is more common in the bariatric community? In today’s episode, we’re going to explore how ADHD and neurodivergence shape our relationship with food, how this affects the bariatric community and discover strategies to thrive.  We are happy to introduce a clinical psychologist with 20 years of experience working in bariatric medicine, who brings personal insight as a bari...

Have you ever wondered what else bariatric surgery can do for your health beyond just weight loss? If you're on a weight loss journey, or even just considering it, this episode will help you see how metabolic surgery can transform your overall wellness, not just the number on the scale. Dr. Saurabh, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist, joins us to talk about the tru...

Have you ever found yourself shrinking—physically or emotionally—just to make others feel more comfortable? We’ve been there. But what if you permitted yourself to take up space, to share, to grow, and to heal? That’s precisely what BariNation is about: creating space for every part of your journey, with people who get it. Today, Natalie speaks with two amazing BariNation community members, Herb a...

Ready to unlock the secret to supercharging your bariatric journey through gut health? Tune into this episode featuring Dr. Edmund Chen for transformative insights! As a passionate bariatric surgeon and devoted BariNation advocate, Dr. Chen reveals how the gut microbiome, fueled by bariatric surgery and a fiber-forward diet, can reduce inflammation and enhance your metabolic wellness. He shares pr...

Ever wondered why your cravings seem unstoppable despite your best efforts? At BariNation, we’re peeling back the layers on ultra-processed foods to help our bariatric community make informed choices for gut health and lasting wellness. We’re joined by Dr. Eric Smith of the Kentucky Bariatric Institute, who breaks down the science behind food addiction, the deceptive allure of hyper-palatable prod...

Welcome to the BariNation Podcast, where summer sparks a choice: hide indoors, caught up in body image struggles, or embrace the sun with confidence? Today, we explore body neutrality, a powerful approach to move beyond negative self-talk and live fully in your bariatric journey.  This week, we are taking a deep dive into the concept of body neutrality, exploring eye-opening statistics about...

Have you ever wondered how hormones affect your health and contribute to weight gain, obesity and a host of health conditions? Are you ready to break free from the isolation of obesity and tap into the power of community? Want to feel hopeful, inspired, and empowered on your bariatric journey? Today, we’re joined by Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, a triple-board-certified specialist in internal medicine, e...

Are you ready to confront the shame and stigma surrounding obesity? Want to join a community that empowers your bariatric journey?  In this episode, straight from the ASMBS conference in Washington, DC, we unpack the Mason Lecture’s powerful insights on easing shame and stigma in obesity care. We delve into how these barriers hinder treatment, fuel weight regain, and even originate from medic...

Are we doing enough to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against obesity? What if bariatric surgery is not just about weight loss, but about treating a chronic, misunderstood disease? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Richard Peterson, the newly elected president of the ASMBS, to talk about his mission to No One Left Behind . From his military roots to his passionate advocacy, Dr....

Have you ever wondered what happens when bariatric surgery doesn’t go as planned—or when life throws new challenges your way after weight loss? In this episode, April, Natalie, and Jason openly discuss the realities of obesity, the emotional toll of weight recurrence, and the hope that revisional surgery can bring. Together, they explore how bariatric surgery is not a one-and-done solution, but ra...

What if bariatric patients could shift the narrative around obesity from shame and blame to biology and treatment?  Today, Dr. Ann Rogers, the current president of the ASMBS, joins us again to help us break down the stigma of obesity, challenge outdated measures like BMI, and openly discuss the truth: obesity is a disease, not a personal failure. This episode is your call to action—start the...

Are you still relying on the scale to measure your health? Have you ever wondered what your body is made of? Today, we’re exploring a topic that’s revolutionizing the way we approach weight loss, fitness, and long-term health: body composition. What is it? Why does it matter? And where do we even begin? Dr. Nina Crowley, a clinical expert in bariatric care and weight management, discusses what bod...

Have you ever wondered if you're getting the correct diagnosis regarding your weight? What if the number on the scale or your BMI doesn’t tell the whole story about your health? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jaime Ponce, President and Medical Director of the Weight Loss Center of Chattanooga, for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about how obesity is diagnosed, why BMI is outdated, a...

Have you ever wondered if eating just 1200 calories a day could be the key to success after bariatric surgery?  In this episode, we dive into this burning question with our guest, Kayla Girgen, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Personal Trainer. Join us as we explore the truth behind obesity management and calorie-restricted diets. Kayla tackles whether 1,200 calories a day is sustainable...

Have you ever wondered if you're truly ready—mentally and emotionally—for bariatric surgery? Or how much support matters throughout your bariatric journey? In this episode of the BariNation Podcast, we talk with Dr. Kati Duncan, a licensed psychologist and owner of Assessment & Therapy Associates (ATA). We explore how the pre-op evaluation is a tool for success, not a barrier, and why working...

Could bariatric surgery change your life? Do you wish you had a community to support you on your weight loss journey?  On today’s episode of the BariNation podcast, we’re honored to introduce you to Dr. Sachin Kukreja, a new BariNation practice partner and the director of DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery. Dr. Kukreja shares how he discovered the life-changing power of bariatric surgery, exp...

Are you struggling to see obesity as more than a number on the scale? Do you wonder why shame and stigma still dominate the conversation around bariatric surgery?  In this episode, we explore the truth about obesity as a chronic disease and how we can shift the narrative to one of compassion, education, and long-term support. Our guest, Carah Horn, brings her clinical expertise and lived expe...

Have you ever felt like no one truly understands what you're going through on your bariatric journey? What if the missing piece to your success isn’t more willpower but an actual, supportive community that gets it? In this episode, a familiar face and voice to the BariNation Podcast, licensed therapist and obesity medicine coach Lora Grabow, joins us as we celebrate the fourth anniversary of our f...