Weight regain after bariatric surgery is one of the most common and least discussed parts of the journey. In this episode of Bariatric Paths, we talk about the end of the honeymoon phase, the emotional impact of regain, and how to rebuild structure and consistency without shame.

Jatoyia is joined by Allyson Jackson, a bariatric coach and gastric sleeve patient over a decade post-op. Together, they break down what really happens years after surgery, why so many patients struggle in silence, and how to create sustainable habits that support long-term success.

You’ll hear honest conversation around identity shifts, fear of regain, the pressure to “get it right,” and why extreme dieting cycles keep showing up—even after surgery. This episode focuses on practical mindset shifts and simple actions you can take to reset your journey.

If you’re post-op, feeling stuck, or afraid the weight is coming back, this episode will meet you where you are and help you move forward.

Guest: Allyson Jackson
For Coaching Sessions: https://paperbell.me/allyson-jackson
IG: @ajacks324
TikTok: @allysonjackson5
Facebook: Allyson Elizabeth
FB Group: the Bariatric Comeback- Support After Weight Regain
YouTube: coachallysonj

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Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
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Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

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Travel after bariatric surgery, plus size travel tips, bariatric lifestyle, post-op confidence, flying plus size, weight loss surgery journey, travel hacks after surgery—this episode breaks down what it really takes to travel confidently after bariatric surgery.

What does it look like to explore the world when your body, confidence, and mindset are changing?

In this episode of the Bariatric Paths Podcast, we sit down with Kaycee Bivens, creator of The Plus Size Passport, to talk about the real experience of traveling before and after weight loss surgery.

From navigating airports and airplane seating to asking for accommodations without shame, Kaycee shares what most people don’t talk about when it comes to plus size travel and life after bariatric surgery.

This conversation dives into confidence, accessibility, mindset shifts, and how to stop shrinking yourself in spaces that were not built with you in mind.

If you’ve ever avoided traveling because of your weight, felt anxious about flying, or wondered how to enjoy trips after surgery, this episode is for you.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to travel after bariatric surgery without derailing your progress
• The truth about flying plus size and what to expect
• Must-have travel tips for bariatric patients
• How to advocate for your needs without embarrassment
• Why confidence changes everything post-op
• How to balance food, fun, and your bariatric goals while traveling

📱 Follow Kaycee:
TikTok: @the_kayceebivens
Other: https://linktr.ee/purposewithkaycee

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com
Sign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!

Chapters:
00:00 Why She Finally Said Yes to Surgery
09:51 Creating a Safe Space for Plus Size Travel
20:16 The Truth About Traveling After Surgery
22:18 What You Actually Need to Pack
24:18 The Fear Nobody Talks About
25:39 What You Can and Can’t Do on Vacation
27:57 Dream Destinations After Weight Loss
32:41 Confidence, Growth, and Owning Your Journey

Weight loss surgery, bariatric journey, post-op life, weight regain, emotional eating, food noise, skin removal, bariatric maintenance, weight loss mindset—this episode breaks down what really happens after the weight is gone.

You lost the weight… so why does it still feel hard?

In this episode of the Bariatric Paths Podcast, we talk about the real, unfiltered truth of life after weight loss surgery. From food cravings and mental battles to skin removal fears and long-term maintenance, this conversation goes beyond the transformation and into what it actually takes to stay there.

If you’re post-op, considering surgery, or struggling with maintaining your progress, this episode will hit home.

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com
Sign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!

What replaces food after weight loss surgery… when it was your coping mechanism for so long?

In this episode of the Bariatric Paths Podcast, we’re having a real conversation about addiction transfer, emotional eating, and the mental side of bariatric surgery that most people are not prepared for.

Lou is 17 years post-op after gastric bypass and has lost over 130 pounds. But her journey didn’t end with weight loss. She shares what it was like to grieve food, struggle with addiction, and learn how to rebuild her life without using food as a coping tool.

This episode goes beyond the scale. It dives into identity, mindset, and the truth about what happens after the weight is gone.

If you are pre-op, post-op, or struggling in maintenance, this conversation will help you understand why the battle doesn’t just disappear—and what it really takes to move forward.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What replaces food after bariatric surgery
• The reality of addiction transfer and emotional coping
• Why weight loss surgery doesn’t fix your mindset
• Food grief and losing your comfort habits
• Body image and identity after major weight loss
• Long-term life 17 years after gastric bypass
• Sobriety, healing, and building new coping strategies
• The truth about maintenance and staying consistent

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com
Sign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!

Bariatric surgery, weight loss, body image, mental health after weight loss surgery, and identity shift—why don’t you feel different even after losing the weight?

You did the work. You lost the weight. The scale changed. But mentally… something still feels the same. In this episode of Bariatric Paths, we’re breaking down the identity shift after bariatric surgery and why so many people struggle to feel like a new version of themselves after major weight loss.

This episode goes deep into the emotional side of the bariatric journey, including body image struggles, self-perception, and mental health after weight loss surgery. Because losing weight doesn’t automatically change how you see yourself.

If you’re post-op and feeling stuck, disconnected, or wondering why confidence didn’t just show up after surgery, this conversation is for you.

You’ll hear about:

Why weight loss doesn’t automatically change your mindset
The identity shift after bariatric surgery
Body image struggles and not recognizing yourself after weight loss
How old thoughts and habits follow you into your new body
What it actually takes to build confidence after weight loss

This is the part of the bariatric journey that isn’t talked about enough—the mental and emotional work that has to happen alongside the physical transformation.

If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “Why don’t I feel different?”… this episode will hit home.

00:00 Bariatric Journey Mindset: Respect Your Tool
01:38 Mental Health After Bariatric Surgery: Gaps in Support
03:45 Bariatric Recovery Tips: Sleep, Routine, and Healing
06:42 Weight Loss Expectations and Self-Compassion
09:23 Building Mental Resilience After Weight Loss Surgery
14:06 Bariatric Community Support and Shared Experiences
18:54 Content Creation, Bariatric Life, and Self-Care Balance
23:25 Bariatric Medications and Personalized Weight Loss Care
28:16 Self-Awareness and Daily Routine After Surgery
31:14 Bariatric Resources and Community Connection

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

Sign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!

Music track: Wine by Lukrembo
Source: https://freetouse.com/music

#BariatricSurgery #WeightLossSurgery #BodyImage #MentalHealthAfterWeightLoss #BariatricJourney

Bariatric weight regain, emotional eating, food addiction, GLP-1 medications, and mental health after bariatric surgery are topics that don’t get talked about enough—but they impact long-term success more than most people realize.

In this episode of Bariatric Paths, Jatoyia sits down with Mel from Our Sleeved Life Podcast to break down the real reasons behind weight regain after bariatric surgery. This conversation explores how trauma, panic attacks, loss of routine, and mental overload can quietly derail progress—even years after surgery.

They discuss why bariatric patients are often unprepared for the emotional side of the journey, how untreated trauma can trigger regain, and what role GLP-1 medications can play in supporting weight management when used with intention and self-awareness.

If you are navigating post-op life, struggling with emotional eating, dealing with fear of regain, or trying to build sustainable habits after weight loss surgery, this episode offers real insight, practical perspective, and honest conversation.

Mel shares her personal experience with panic attacks after surgery, the connection between mental health and weight regain, and why sleep, routine, and community support matter more than chasing perfection. The episode also breaks down common misconceptions about bariatric success on social media and highlights the importance of long-term mindset work.

This episode is for anyone on a bariatric journey who wants to understand the deeper factors behind weight regain and build a more sustainable, realistic approach to health.

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com
Sign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!

Building Community, Breaking Shame & Embracing the Real Bariatric Journey

What if the hardest part of this journey isn’t the surgery… but feeling like you have to hide the truth?

In this episode, Mel from the Our Sleeved Life podcast joins us for a real conversation about community, honesty, and what happens when we stop pretending everything is perfect. We get into the messy middle, the emotional weight, and why sharing the hard parts might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

This isn’t about polished success stories.
This is about what’s real.

What You’ll Learn

Why community can feel like therapy during this journey

How shame keeps people stuck and silent

The shift from secrecy to real, honest conversations

Why sharing struggles isn’t negativity, it’s honesty

How comparison quietly steals your progress

What changes with food, mindset, and expectations post-op

Why your journey will never look like anyone else’s

Timestamps

00:00 – Why honesty in weight loss feels so hard
01:03 – Meet Mel and how her community started
02:00 – When community becomes your safe space
03:14 – Starting without support and feeling alone
04:40 – Breaking shame and finding connection
05:34 – The rise of bariatric voices and real conversations
06:50 – How GLP-1 is shifting the weight loss conversation
07:25 – Changing how people view bariatric surgery
08:08 – Why real stories matter more than perfect ones
09:19 – What “Benchies” mean and why community matters
10:17 – Body changes and learning not to compare
11:42 – The danger of only hearing extremes
12:29 – Being honest without scaring people away
13:25 – Talking about depression and vulnerability
14:23 – Letting go of toxic positivity
15:33 – Comparison vs focusing on your own path
16:49 – Growth beyond the physical changes
17:52 – Staying motivated when progress feels slow
18:42 – Giving advice without setting unrealistic standards
19:34 – Learning how to nourish your body again
20:28 – Why slow progress still counts
22:02 – When foods stop working the way they used to
23:12 – Managing portions and daily habits
24:37 – Making food work for your new lifestyle
25:45 – Redefining food as fuel, not comfort
26:37 – Finding peace in routine and consistency

If This Hit Home

If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide the hard parts of your journey, you’re not alone. This episode is your reminder that honesty doesn’t make you weak, it connects you to the people who actually understand.

🔗 Stay Connected

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
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🎁 Grab Your Free Bariatric Tracker:
Stay consistent and track your progress with the Bariatric Tracker
https://www.bariatricpaths.com/free

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

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Connect with Mel

Follow Mel and the Our Sleeved Life community for real, unfiltered conversations:

Instagram: @oursleevedlifepodcast

Facebook: @oursleevedlifepodcast

TikTok: @oursleevedlifepodcast

#Bariatric
#BariatricPaths
#WeightLossJourney
#BariatricCommunity

Bariatric surgery changes your body — but does it change your mind?

In this episode, licensed therapist AND bariatric patient Sade Wise gets real about the mental health side of bariatric surgery that nobody prepares you for. If you're struggling with self-esteem, body image, or emotional challenges after weight loss surgery — you're not alone, and this episode is for you.

We dive deep into the emotional weight that bariatric surgery can't remove. What happens when the scale changes but your identity doesn't? How do you rebuild your self-esteem after major weight loss transformation? Sade brings both her clinical expertise as a therapist AND her personal bariatric journey to answer the questions most people are afraid to ask.

If you've ever felt like something was still wrong even after doing "everything right" post-op, this conversation will hit home.

What we cover:

• Why bariatric surgery alone won't fix your self-esteem
• How to rebuild your identity after weight loss
• The emotional challenges that show up post-op
• Finding the right therapist for your bariatric journey
• Mindfulness and emotional resilience for long-term success
• Daily mental health maintenance after weight loss surgery

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Emotional Weight of Bariatric Surgery 02:41 Building Healthy Habits for Success 05:27 Navigating Emotional Challenges Post-Surgery 08:17 The Impact of Body Image and Clothing Choices 11:14 Understanding the Need for Inner Work Before Surgery 14:07 The Journey of a Bariatric Patient 17:04 Therapist Insights on Personal Experience 19:46 Utilizing Professional Skills in Personal Journey 24:08 The Power of Personal Experience in Therapy 32:17 Rebuilding Identity After Weight Loss 40:32 Emotional Resilience and Mindfulness in Transformation 44:53 Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques 47:10 The Importance of Therapy in Weight Loss Journeys 49:07 Building Trust with Your Therapist 50:01 Post-Operative Care and Mental Health 51:09 The Mental Game of Weight Loss 52:16 Finding Support and Resources 54:12 Daily Maintenance of Mental Health 55:27 Personal Journeys and Non-Traditional Approaches 58:12 Navigating Food Choices Post-Surgery

Connect with Sade Wise: Instagram: @_shedoessocialwork Instagram: @BariatricBalance TikTok: @BariatricBalance Website: https://www.mentalwellnesscollective.com/sade

Join the Bariatric Paths Community: Facebook Group: [your link] Instagram: @bariatricpaths Website: bariatricpaths.com

#BariatricSurgery #MentalHealth #WeightLossJourney #BariatricCommunity #SelfEsteem #Therapy #BodyImage #PostOpLife #EmotionalHealth #BariatricPaths #WeightLossSurgery #BariatricLife #VSG #GastricBypass #MentalHealthMatters

DISCLAIMER: The content shared on Bariatric Paths is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or treatment plan. Individual results may vary.

⬅️ Missed Part 1? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/M07WksyP5gM

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Life after bariatric surgery isn't what most people expect. In Part 2 of our Bariatric Besties conversation, three women open up about the shame, the reality, and the truth nobody talks about.

If you've ever wondered what life is really like after weight loss surgery—or if you're struggling with regain, maintenance, or the emotional side of bariatric surgery—this honest conversation will resonate with you.

🎙️ What We Talk About:

- Being "the fat friend" and how weight loss surgery changes your identity
- The fear of failing again after regaining weight before surgery
- Why maintenance after bariatric surgery is harder than losing the weight
- Handling temptation in everyday situations (teacher's lounge, family gatherings, social events)
- The shame of "taking the easy way out" and why all weight loss is hard
- How friendship and community support your bariatric journey
- Real talk about emotional eating, brain hunger, and old habits post-op

This isn't another before-and-after transformation story. This is the real, unfiltered truth about life after VSG, gastric bypass, and gastric sleeve surgery.

Whether you're considering bariatric surgery, recovering from weight loss surgery, navigating post-op life, or dealing with regain—you're not alone.

⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:10 - "I'm afraid of failing again" - Fear of weight regain after bariatric surgery
6:17 - Shrinking emotionally before shrinking physically
10:43 - How the Bariatric Besties became friends and started sharing their journeys
17:48 - Would your bariatric journey be the same without community support?
21:39 - Old habits that still tempt us: emotional eating and brain hunger
27:26 - The truth about maintenance mode after weight loss surgery
31:30 - Advice for anyone feeling stuck, ashamed, or unsure about bariatric surgery

👥 Follow the Bariatric Besties:
TikTok: @bariatric.besties
Instagram: @bariatricbesties307

💜 Join the Bariatric Paths Community:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246
Instagram: @bariatricpaths
TikTok: @bariatricpaths
Website: bariatricpaths.com

📧 Have questions about bariatric surgery or want to share your story? Drop a comment below—we read every single one.

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Related Topics & Keywords:
Bariatric surgery reality | Life after weight loss surgery | Bariatric surgery regret | Post-op bariatric life | Weight loss surgery maintenance | Bariatric community support | VSG journey | Gastric bypass recovery | Gastric sleeve reality | Emotional eating after surgery | Bariatric surgery shame | Weight regain after bariatric surgery | Is bariatric surgery worth it | Bariatric besties | Real bariatric stories

#BariatricSurgery #WeightLossSurgery #LifeAfterBariatricSurgery #PostOpLife #BariatricCommunity #VSG #GastricBypass #GastricSleeve #WeightLossJourney #BariatricBesties #MaintenanceMode #RealTalk #BariatricSupport #WeightLossSurgeryReality #BariatricLife

What happens when the weight starts coming off, but the mental and emotional layers feel heavier than ever? In this episode of Bariatric Paths, we sit down with the Bariatric Besties for a real, honest conversation about life after bariatric surgery and why support matters more than people admit.

These three friends are all at different stages of their bariatric weight loss journey. One is newly post-op, one is mid-journey, and one is navigating long-term life after surgery. Together, they unpack the “easy way out” myth, body image struggles, comparison, regain fears, and the power of friendship when weight loss gets tough.

In this episode, you’ll hear real talk about life after bariatric surgery, post-op bariatric mindset shifts, body image after weight loss surgery, and how a bariatric support community can change everything. If you have ever questioned your progress, compared your journey to someone else’s, or felt alone after surgery, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
You’ll learn why bariatric surgery is rarely the first choice and almost always the last. You’ll hear how friendship helps reduce comparison and shame after weight loss surgery. You’ll understand why body image does not automatically catch up with physical weight loss. You’ll learn how support systems impact long-term bariatric success and how to navigate mixed emotions during post-op life.

Timestamps

00:01 Welcome and meet the Bariatric Besties
01:36 Where each guest is in their bariatric journey
03:16 The real gut-punch moments after surgery
05:45 “I wasn’t lazy. I was just big.”
07:01 Trying on jeans and finally seeing progress
08:32 Leaving the plus-size section mentally and emotionally
10:59 Comparing journeys without competition
13:10 Why bariatric surgery is not the easy way out
14:50 Almost backing out before surgery
16:32 Health benefits beyond weight loss
17:45 Being afraid to be seen before and after surgery
20:01 Finding yourself again after weight loss
21:19 Why bariatric surgery is layered and not just physical

🔗 Subscribe to the Podcast:
https://pod.link/1797899095

👥 Join the Community:
Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe
https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246

🌐 Explore More:
Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

Sign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!

Connect with the Bariatric Besties:
Follow them on TikTok for real-life post-op moments, friendship, and laughs:
https://www.tiktok.com/@bariatric.besties

#BariatricSurgery #LifeAfterBariatricSurgery #BariatricSupport #WeightLossJourney #PostOpLife