When does bariatric surgery stop being something you constantly think about—and simply become part of your life?

Three years after surgery and more than 170 pounds down, I've realized that the questions never really stopped. They just changed.

Am I maintaining correctly? Should I lose more? Am I following the right rules? Should I remove my loose skin? Am I doing this right?

For the Season 2 finale of Bariatric Paths, I'm questioning the rules, expectations, comparison, and constantly moving goalposts that can make it feel like we're never quite “done.”

Because maybe the better question isn't “Am I doing this right?”

Maybe it's:

“Does this still work for me?”

We're talking about changing your mind, listening to the body you have now, allowing your goals to change, and learning how to want more without making everything you've already accomplished feel like less.

Because you don't have to finish becoming yourself before you get to enjoy being yourself.

🎙️ Bariatric Paths — Your Journey. Your Path.

Connect Website: BariatricPaths.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @BariatricPaths

Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe Podcast: pod.link/1797899095

Subscribe so you don't miss Season 3.

What happens when the weight is gone, the excess skin is removed...and you finally see your body for the first time?

Crystal McCarthy returns for Part 2 of our conversation about skin removal after losing 140 pounds. This time, we're going beyond the procedure and talking about what happened after the physical transformation.

Crystal opens up about the unexpected confidence and gratitude she experienced after surgery, saying she wasn't prepared for how much she would love herself afterward. She shares what recovery really looked like, how her relationship with her body changed, and why removing nearly eight pounds of excess skin helped her finally recognize the transformation she'd already worked so hard for.

We also get real about maintenance—the pressure to keep the weight off when everyone has watched you lose it, food addiction, movement, self-compassion, and the fear of publicly “failing” after bariatric surgery.

And yes...we talk about some of the VERY unexpected things that happen to a woman's body after a tummy tuck.

00:00 The spotlight after significant weight loss

00:43 The emotion nobody prepared her for

01:45 How eight pounds changed everything

02:37 Loving herself in a way she did not expect

03:35 Exparel and the least painful surgery she has had

05:11 Why she was up and cooking on day three

07:06 Do not do this alone

08:26 Why her surgeon bans fajas and lymphatic massage

10:05 Massaging the scar and the belly button question

12:16 What healing looks like now

13:44 Leaving the 309 pound woman behind

16:37 Habits that keep her grounded

18:33 Confidence and self-compassion at the same time

19:39 The $181,000 bill

21:19 The pressure of public weight loss

22:11 Why neither of them announced their surgery

24:37 The mirror moments

26:13 Body changes nobody talks about

28:47 Her message for anyone considering skin removal

33:39 My Journey, My Business

Follow Crystal: VSG Chrissy

Website: BariatricPaths.com

Podcast: pod.link/1797899095

Instagram: @BariatricPaths

Facebook group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe

Email: [email protected]

This channel shares personal experience and guest stories. Talk to your own medical team before making surgical decisions.

Losing 140 pounds was supposed to be the transformation. But for Crystal McCarthy, excess skin became another part of her bariatric journey she wasn't prepared for.

Crystal returns to Bariatric Paths to talk about her decision to undergo skin removal and tummy tuck surgery after massive weight loss—including her fear of complications, choosing the right plastic surgeon, seeing her new stomach for the first time, and why the procedure finally made her feel like she could see the results of all her hard work.

We also get into something many bariatric patients don't realize: skin removal may not always be considered purely cosmetic. Crystal shares how she navigated insurance requirements, documented medical necessity, dealt with an unexpected denial, and ultimately received approval just two days before surgery.

If you've lost significant weight and you're wondering what comes next, this conversation is for you.

What you get in this episode:

• The exact insurance requirements her plan demanded
• Why a prescription rash cream matters more than you think
• How to spot a plan exclusion before it wrecks your surgery date
• Fleur-de-lis versus traditional hip to hip tummy tuck
• What she saw the moment the nurse pulled back the blanket
• Why muscle repair can qualify as a medical condition

Chapters are listed below.

00:00 Losing the Weight Wasn't the End
01:19 Why Crystal Chose Skin Removal
03:40 Her Biggest Fear Before Surgery
05:37 Choosing the Right Procedure & Surgeon
07:25 Seeing Her New Body for the First Time
08:59 Did Skin Removal Finally Complete the Journey?
12:17 Can Insurance Cover Skin Removal?
14:33 What Documentation Does Insurance Need?
15:48 Why You Have to Advocate for Yourself
17:15 When Insurance Suddenly Changed the Rules
17:54 The Unexpected Denial
20:28 Approved Just TWO Days Before Surgery
22:23 How to Improve Your Chances of Insurance Approval

Crystal's surgeon: Dr. Kirkendall, Tampa General Plastic Surgery

Website: BariatricPaths.com

Podcast: pod.link/1797899095

Instagram: @BariatricPaths

Facebook group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribe

Email: [email protected]

This channel shares personal experience and guest stories. Talk to your own medical team before making surgical decisions.

You are two years post-op and the fear of weight regain sits in the back of your mind. Chloe, a registered dietitian, says the fear itself is part of the problem.

In part two of this conversation we cover:

• What actually prevents weight regain long term after bariatric surgery
• Why daily weigh-ins and constant diet stress work against you
• Regain caused by age, hormones, and menopause, and what to do about it
• The supplements that matter after surgery: multivitamin, B12, calcium, vitamin D, iron
• Her honest answer on collagen and why fat burner claims are marketing
• Cheap protein that works: eggs, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, frozen vegetables
• The phrase to repeat to yourself when you feel stuck

Connect with Chloe:
https://www.faynutrition.com/dietitians/chloe-seddon

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

*Come see us in person — Echoes of You Wellness Fest:*
March 2027 | Kroc Center, Atlanta, GA
🎟️ http://www.EchoesOfYouFest.com

*Subscribe* so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

What if the thing keeping you stuck isn't your willpower — it's the rules?

This week I sit down with Chloe, a registered dietitian who works with bariatric patients every day, and we are throwing out the rulebook. We're talking about why there are no illegal foods, how one bad meal cannot undo your progress, and why stressing over a brownie for two hours is actually worse for your body than just eating the brownie.

If you've been white-knuckling your way through maintenance, eating boiled chicken out of obligation, or beating yourself up every time you slip — this episode is your permission slip to breathe.

What we cover:

• Why surgery is a tool not a magic fix
• The "last supper mentality" and how it sabotages you
• Small realistic habits you can start today — protein, water, mindful eating
• How to actually enjoy social gatherings without guilt
• Emotional eating triggers and what to do instead
• Why no food is actually bad food
• Alcohol after surgery — what you need to know
• How to stop fearing food and start trusting yourself again

Timestamps:
00:00 Bariatric Intro — Stop Chasing the Perfect Diet
01:28 Bariatric Mindset — Surgery Is A Tool Not A Magic Fix
03:35 Bariatric Nutrition Myths — You Can Still Enjoy Food
05:11 Bariatric Diet Culture — The Last Supper Mentality
06:08 Bariatric Perfection — Why Rules Keep You Stuck
09:03 Bariatric Habits — Protein, Water & Mindful Eating
14:23 Bariatric Protein — When Shakes Become A Chore
17:19 Bariatric Hydration — Water Tips That Actually Work
19:41 Bariatric Social Life — Eating Out Without The Guilt
21:17 Bariatric Alcohol — What Changes After Surgery
22:47 Bariatric Emotional Eating — Triggers & What To Do Instead
26:03 Bariatric Food Freedom — No Food Is Bad Food

Connect with Chloe:
https://www.faynutrition.com/dietitians/chloe-seddon

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Come see us in person — Echoes of You Wellness Fest:
March 2027 | Kroc Center, Atlanta, GA
🎟️ www.EchoesOfYouFest.com

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

We're back for Part 2 — and this one is pure girl talk.

Two women. Two years post-op. Zero filter.

Annalise and I are getting into everything nobody prepares you for in the maintenance phase — like the moment you realize you can actually eat again and somehow that's scarier than not being able to. We're talking about missing your old self even when you love your new one, why skin removal should be covered by insurance, and the four pillars of bariatric health that will reset you every single time you feel lost.

What we cover:

• The maintenance phase honeymoon is OVER — now what?
• Why you have to work harder mentally when your stomach lets you eat more
• Missing your old self — the innocence, the invisibility, the armor weight gave you
• People who ignored you before now want to celebrate you — and why that stings
• Skin removal as a medical right not a privilege
• Why insurance needs to cover vitamins and skin removal — period
• The four pillars of bariatric health (+ a bonus fifth one)

Timestamps:
00:00 Bariatric Maintenance — The Honeymoon Is Over
01:35 Bariatric Reality — You Can Eat More Now & It's Scary
03:38 Bariatric Mindset — Working Harder In Maintenance
08:17 Bariatric Identity — What I Miss About My Old Self
12:26 Bariatric Pretty Privilege — People Who Ignored You Then
16:00 Bariatric Trauma — We Never Got To Just Be Kids
19:36 Bariatric Skin Removal — A Right Not A Privilege
21:29 Bariatric Insurance — The System Is Failing Us
24:56 The Four Pillars Of Bariatric Health
27:41 My Journey My Business — A Little Spicy

Connect with Annalise:
📱 TikTok: @findingannalise

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Come see us in person — Echoes of You Wellness Fest:
September 19, 2026 | Kroc Center, Atlanta, GA
🎟️ www.EchoesOfYouFest.com

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

This podcast is for informational and community support purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or care team about what's right for you.

What happens when you lose 140 pounds and still cry at your reflection?

This week I sit down with Annalise, who went from 330 pounds and an abusive marriage to running 5Ks, shopping in stores she never walked into before, and learning to love a body she spent 30 years hating. But the real conversation? The grief. The body dysmorphia. The little voice in her head she named Vanessa. And what it actually takes to forgive yourself for how you treated your body before you knew better.

If you've ever looked in the mirror after surgery and still not recognized yourself — this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• The midnight Google search that started everything
• Why loving yourself before surgery matters more than the scale
• Grieving your old self even when the transformation is a blessing
• Body dysmorphia stealing joy at a 5K finish line
• Why we still reach for the plus-size section out of habit
• Affirmations, journaling, and gratitude as the real tools of transformation
• Forgiving yourself — over and over again

Timestamps:
00:00 Bariatric Intro — Lost 140 Pounds, Still Cried at the Mirror
01:13 Bariatric Breaking Point — Abusive Marriage, Single Mom, 330 Pounds
04:03 Bariatric Why — When Your Child Becomes Your North Star
07:12 Bariatric Surgery Decision — The Midnight Google Search
10:21 Bariatric Weight Loss — 140 Pounds and Still Chasing a Number
12:32 Bariatric Grief — Mourning the Person You Used to Be
17:38 Bariatric Healing — Affirmations, Journaling & Forgiving Yourself
22:24 Bariatric Body Dysmorphia — How It Stole Her 5K Joy
28:10 Bariatric Body Image — Shopping in Stores You Never Fit Before

Connect with Annalise:
📱 Social: https://www.tiktok.com/@findinganalyse

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Come see us in person — Echoes of You Wellness Fest:
September 19, 2026 | Kroc Center, Atlanta, GA
🎟️ www.EchoesOfYouFest.com

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

Ever been doing everything right and your body still does something completely different? That's exactly what happened to me.

Two years post-op, my periods got irregular, my weight started fluctuating for no reason, and my energy was all over the place. Every lab came back normal. So what was going on?

In this Fuel Your Journey episode, I'm sharing my personal experience with how major weight loss affects your hormones — and what I wish someone had told me sooner.

What we cover:

• Why your body may feel "off" even when labs come back normal
• How significant weight loss disrupts hormone production and balance
• What symptoms to watch for — and what to actually ask your doctor
• Why we need to stop normalizing feeling miserable post-op
• Shifting from "what's wrong with me" to "what does my body need"

Timestamps:
00:00 Bariatric FYJ Intro — Something Felt Off
02:14 Bariatric Hormones — What Fat Actually Does
05:30 Bariatric Body Changes — This Is Not In Your Head
08:45 Bariatric Symptoms — What To Watch For & Ask Your Doctor
12:20 Bariatric Mindset — Stop Blaming Yourself
16:10 Bariatric Community — You Don't Have To Do This Alone
18:30 My Journey My Business — Happy Birthday To Me 🎂

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Join the free Facebook community:
👉 bariatricpaths.com

Come see us in person — Echoes of You Wellness Fest:
September 19, 2026 | Kroc Center, Atlanta, GA
🎟️ www.EchoesOfYouFest.com

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

This podcast is for informational and community support purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always talk to your doctor or care team about what's right for you.

We spend so much time looking for the "right way" to do bariatric surgery — the right surgery, the right diet, the right rules. But after talking to so many people on this podcast, I've realized something: there probably isn't one right way.

Cory Padarathsingh is back for Part 2, and we're getting into his full research process — how he chose the sleeve, why Facebook groups told him more than his surgeon consultations did, and the moment daily life (literally just getting the mail) told him it was time. We also talk about grieving food, the friendships that didn't survive the journey, and why "everyone can't be right" when it comes to what your body needs.

If you've ever felt like you were doing this wrong because your journey didn't look like someone else's — this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• Researching surgeons, surgeries, and sorting through conflicting advice
• Why Facebook groups can tell you more than consultations
• Choosing the sleeve vs. the bypass
• The daily-life moment that made surgery undeniable
• Grieving food, lost friendships, and old habits
• Building a real relationship with a nutritionist post-op
• Why there's no single "right way" to do this journey

Timestamps:
00:00 Bariatric Intro — There's No One Right Way
01:21 Bariatric Research — Facebook Groups vs. Surgeon Consultations
07:12 Bariatric Surgery Choice — Sleeve vs. Bypass
09:16 Bariatric Daily Life — The Moment Surgery Became Necessary
10:10 Bariatric Food Grief — Losing Friends and Old Habits
17:34 Bariatric Nutritionist Relationship — Year-Long Support
20:46 Bariatric Vitamins — Why Skipping Them Is Dangerous
28:14 My Journey, My Business — Cory's Honest Take

Connect with Cory:
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/sleevedwithcory
📖 His Bariatric Journal: https://a.co/d/0dlvK7AW
🎙️ His Podcast — Heavy Topics & Lighter Lives: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEcKWufK7CdoiAOXwJiLCg
📱 Social: @sleevedwithcory

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

Ever wonder what really happens after you lose 100+ pounds? The attention changes. The dating changes. And the fear of gaining it all back? That gets LOUDER.

This week I'm joined by Cory Padarathsingh, who lost 162 pounds and is giving us something we rarely hear in this space — the male perspective. We're talking pretty privilege, the DM flood, dating when you're still a "big guy at heart," and why the surgery changes your stomach but NOT your brain.

If you've ever questioned someone's motives after your transformation, mourned your relationship with food, or lie awake scared of regaining — this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• How people treat you differently after major weight loss
• Pretty privilege — and why it's uncomfortable at first
• Dating standards, confidence, and finding someone who gets the lifestyle
• Why food triggers don't disappear after surgery
• The fear of regain and how to manage it mentally
• Emotional eating, binge patterns, and building real discipline

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro — Losing 162 Pounds
01:23 Bariatric Dating — Being Treated Differently
03:38 Bariatric Weight Loss & Pretty Privilege
07:45 Bariatric Dating Standards & Finding a Partner
12:31 Bariatric Food Triggers — When Love Looks Like Cookies
14:45 The Bariatric Mental Battle — Stomach, Not Brain
21:19 Bariatric Discipline & Binge-Eating Triggers
25:18 Bariatric Fear of Regain & the Scale

Connect with Cory:
All links: https://linktr.ee/sleevedwithcory
His Bariatric Journal: https://a.co/d/0dlvK7AW

His Podcast — Heavy Topics & Lighter Lives: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEcKWufK7CdoiAOXwJiLCg
Social: @sleevedwithcory

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.