The BariNation Foundation Podcast

Have you heard of intuitive eating and wonder if it’s right for you? Or maybe you’ve tried it and realized it just isn’t working. This week, Kelly Broadwater, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, is on the show to discuss how to make intuitive eating work for bariatric patients, and when the right time is to introduce it on your journey. Kelly talks about why adults struggle with intuitive eating...

It can be a challenge to stay motivated when it comes to movement. We all know it’s important, but it seems to be the first thing that goes out the window when our schedules change or things come up. This week, Jason is talking about his movement routine and how he stays motivated. He shares how to create a consistent workout routine and why setting goals for yourself is key to a successful journe...

We have another fantastic episode for you this week! We know what it can feel like to experience overwhelm when it comes to exercise and movement after your bariatric surgery, so we brought on JJ Rodriguez, an expert in this space. JJ talks about how to approach a fitness, health and movement routine, what the differences between the three are, and what is going to be most impactful. He describes...

Have you ever felt the energy of a live retreat? This week, we are talking to Nerissa Stewart, the CEO of Bariatric Society. We hear what the retreat means to her, why she and her partner in life and the Bariatric Society, Chris Stewart, took over the reins and Jason explains why it has been so powerful for him and his wife. LCSW and BariNation Member and Support Group Leader, Katie Booker, then j...

When you are obese or morbidly obese it can be difficult to get started with a movement or exercise routine. Today we have Dr. Joe Greene on the show to talk about the best forms of exercise, and how to get started. He shares some research done about pre and post op movement, and how to prepare for your surgery and recovery. Tune in for some great tips to uncover the best types of movement for you...

Natalie is officially 4 years post op VSG! As such a key member of our community, Natalie wanted to share her journey across three different surgeries and 4 years post her last surgery. She shares what she has learned and what keeps her going! Tune in to learn what she has been through and how the BariNation Community can help you be successful post op.  IN THIS EPISODE: [2:10] Natalie shares her...

Have you been trying to figure out how to get back into an exercise routine post surgery and are feeling overwhelmed? Today we are joined by exercise expert, Dr. Renee Rogers to discuss what types of exercise are best post surgery and how to increase your lean muscle tissue that may have been lost after surgery. Dr. Rogers is a wealth of information and she provides excellent clarity about how to...

Does the gym and movement intimidate you? We are here to tell you that with the right support and accountability you can create an amazing movement routine that helps you get strong and healthy. That’s why we have partnered with Busy Bariatrics to offer a 30 day movement challenge. This challenge will offer bodyweight and dumbbell exercises, with an emphasis on walking. Such a great way to beat th...

Are you wondering when that “lightning bolt moment” is going to hit you that you are 100% ready for surgery? We are here to tell you, that it is ok to go into surgery not feeling 100% about the decision, and that your lightning bolt moment more than likely will come post op. We each share what our moment was and when it came to us. Then we shift gears into a discussion around expectations on your...

Hitting a weight loss plateau after surgery can be so frustrating, but it is a normal part of the journey. This week, we are talking about slow weight loss and how to get through the frustration. We touch on the fact that you may need to get a revision or get adjunct treatment in order to push through the stall, or maybe someone within the community will have advice on what worked for them. The op...

Join us today as April and Melanie celebrate their 5-year surgiversaries with an incredible episode packed with wisdom and inspiration. They'll reveal their top 5 tips, sharing insights on the power of community, navigating the twists and turns of your journey, and embracing honesty about your experiences. Tune in now for amazing tips and inspiring stories! IN THIS EPISODE: [2:32] Melanie intr...

Is there a summer BBQ coming up, and you are a bit nervous on how to navigate it? If so, we’ve got you covered in this episode! April and Jason are here to prepare you on how to navigate BBQs and make the best choices for yourself. We cover how to use the opportunity to educate those around you, the three options available to you (in any food situation, not just BBQ’s), and when to say yes and no...

Do you feel out of control around food, even after you thought you had your eating habits under control? We’ve all been there and many of us continue to struggle with overeating or emotional eating. This week, we brought Dr. Adrienne Youdim on the show to talk about accepting our hunger desire and understanding what it may actually be telling us. She describes what our bodies are experiencing when...

Are you having Bariatric surgery this summer and feeling a little nervous about how you are going to manage recovery? If so, you are in luck! July 25th marks the 5 year anniversary of my (April) surgery (BariNation Co-Founder). I talk about what my experience was like having my vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery over the summer and the actions I had to take to make a full recovery. While this sum...

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 peop...

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...

Are you three to six months past surgery, and finding yourself feeling more hungry? Are you starting to panic? Today we are joined by Dr. Eric Smith and Dr. Sarah Hayek from the Kentucky Bariatric Institute to discuss what is normal when it comes to your hunger cues after recovery. Many people find themselves in a panic that they can suddenly eat more, however throughout this episode you will unco...

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...

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 a...

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’...

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 vario...

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,...

Is there a right time to have bariatric surgery?  We always hear this question from BariNation Members, our friends, and followers. Undergoing bariatric surgery requires months to prepare for your procedure and can require a few months of recovery. The process often involves our friends and family and significantly disrupts our daily lives. Many of us will take extended time off work to recoup, an...

The disease of obesity will require a lifelong fight and many different treatment modalities. With the advancements in medication and care, anti-obesity drugs like Zepbound and Wegovy are positioned to become viable options for bariatric patients in their pre and post-operative stages. But what happens if you lose access to these medications? Will you regain some or all of the weight you lost whil...

Moving our bodies is a BariNation Pillar of Bariatric Success, but it is one that so many people struggle with. We know it is essential for short-term recovery and long-term success, but finding joyful movement, building a practice, and sticking with it can be challenging.  In this episode, April, Jason, and Natalie sat down with BariNation Movement Expert Monique Coleman to understand where we ca...