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 Ann Rogers, the current president of the ASMBS, joins us again to help us break down the stigma of obesity, challenge outdated measures like BMI, and openly discuss the truth: obesity is a disease, not a personal failure.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 process, seek support, and share your story to empower others on their journey.

Tune in, and don’t forget to join the BariNation community to attend community meetups, watch exclusive bonus content and support the podcast for as low as $5 per month!   

IN THIS EPISODE:

• (02:42) Dr. Rogers shares her background and discusses the mission of ending the stigma of obesity
• (04:06) Past ASMBS President Dr. LaMasters believes everyone is deserving of treatment
• (07:01) Is obesity a disease, and takeaways from the Obesity Summit
• (12:02) Dr. Rogers references President elect Dr. Richard Peterson comments about there being essentially no training on obesity in medical school
• (17:25) Getting beyond the concept of BMI and other associated medical problems
• (31:48) It is essential to educate yourself about the disease of obesity and the ramifications that are not weight-related
• (35:50) Stick with it, be your advocate, make the appointment with a provider and share your story

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Obesity is a complex, chronic condition that warrants medical treatment, yet stigma remains a significant barrier to care. Many still view obesity as the result of poor personal choices rather than understanding the biological, psychological, and societal factors involved. 
• Improving obesity care requires collaboration among healthcare providers across specialties, including surgery, primary care, endocrinology, and more. Unified efforts are needed to enhance education, expand access to care, and prioritize compassionate communication. 
• BMI alone does not accurately capture an individual’s health status. Alternative diagnostic tools—such as waist circumference, DEXA scans, and assessments of visceral fat—offer a more complete picture. These methods aim to identify obesity-related health risks better and move away from outdated, one-size-fits-all metrics.

RESOURCES:

• BariNation 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 the BariNation community to get more and support the podcast for as low as $5 per month!    

OTHER RESOURCES: 

BariNation - Email

GUEST RESOURCES:

Ep 234 - ASMBS President Dr. Ann Rogers Has a Mission: Ending Stigma and Shame in Obesity and Bariatric Treatment 

Ep. 250 - Individualized & Innovative Approaches to Diagnosing and Treating Obesity 

ASMBS - Website

Dr. Ann Rogers - Email

The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission Report

BIOGRAPHY: 

Dr. Rogers is the Director of the Penn State Health Surgical Weight Loss Programs. She is currently serving as the President of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery  (ASMBS), with her term concluding in June 2025 at the National ASMBS Conference in Washington, D.C.

ASMBS MISSION: To enhance the well-being of individuals affected by obesity and associated illnesses through the progression of metabolic and bariatric surgical techniques and other medical interventions.

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.

We need your help to keep the BariNation Podcast in production. Your one-time or recurring donations help us ensure this free support remains open to everyone. Click Drive To Thrive - Donation to learn more and give. THANK YOU for your support!