She Lost 290lbs WITHOUT Surgery | The Jenn Story

Losing weight is a total health journey. Jenn achieved a transformation of 290lbs through lifestyle change, overcoming emotional eating, and overcoming trauma without needing surgery.

What do you do when you hit 500 lbs and realize you can’t walk 500 steps? In this episode of Bariatric Paths, we sit down with Jenn Williamson, who chose a path many told her was impossible: losing nearly 300 lbs without weight loss surgery.

Jenn’s transformation is a masterclass in personal growth and breaking generational health curses. From Googling mobility scooters to walking 9,000 steps a day, Jenn shares the raw truth about GLP-1 medications, finding self-worth, and the support systems that helped her reclaim her life.

In this conversation, we explore a holistic health approach:

The Breaking Point: How hitting 500 lbs sparked a total life transformation.

The GLP-1 Path: Why Jenn chose LifeRx medications over the operating table.

Trauma & Food: Understanding how past pain shapes our relationship with eating.

Mindset Shifts: Mastering the practice of eating until satisfied, not stuffed.

Community Power: How to handle negative people and find a system that fuels your growth.

Connect with Jenn: Follow her journey and find her recipes on TikTok: @JensCookingForYouToo

Sponsor Spotlight: LifeRx
LifeRx is a telehealth company focused on supporting sustainable health through personalized care, education, and medically guided weight management solutions, including GLP-1–based support. Their approach centers on long-term wellness, accessibility, and meeting people where they are in their health journey. We’re proud to partner with LifeRx as they continue to invest in community-driven, education-first health initiatives.
🌐 Learn more at https://liferx.md

Join the Bariatric Paths Community: Your journey is yours, but you are not alone. Visit www.BariatricPaths.com to join our Parallel Paths membership for continued support beyond the podcast.

#WeightLoss #Transformation #HealthJourney #GLP1 #NoSurgery #BariatricPaths #Mindset #OvercomingTrauma #AtlantaHealth

“What did I do?”

That’s a question many people ask themselves in the weeks and months after weight loss surgery and almost no one feels safe saying out loud.

In this episode of Bariatric Paths, Jatoyia Armour opens up about the mental and emotional side of bariatric surgery that caught her completely off guard. Not the recovery. Not the food rules. But the constant mental load of eating, the grief of letting go of old habits, and the moment when progress slows and self-doubt creeps in.

Joined by bariatric surgeon Dr. Christopher Hart, this conversation goes beyond the scale and into what truly determines long-term success after gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and weight loss surgery. Together, they unpack why the early weeks can feel overwhelming, why the second year post-op is often the hardest mentally, and why many people blame themselves when the surgery was never meant to do all the work forever.

This episode covers:

Why “buyer’s remorse” after weight loss surgery is common and temporary

The reality of food grief and the 24-hour mental effort around eating post-op

How hormonal changes after bariatric surgery can trigger unexpected emotional responses

Why Year 2 post-op feels harder than Year 1 and what actually changes

The real reasons behind weight regain after bariatric surgery, including stress, relationships, and life events

Common WLS myths, including liquid calories, alcohol, and “protein” foods that quietly stall progress

Whether you’re pre-op, newly post-op, or years into your bariatric journey and struggling with motivation, plateaus, or fear of regain, this episode offers clinical insight, real talk, and reassurance that what you’re experiencing is more common than you think.

You’re not failing.
You’re navigating the part nobody warned you about.

About Dr. Christopher Hart
Dr. Hart is a board-certified bariatric surgeon with over 25 years of experience helping patients improve their health through evidence-based bariatric care in the United States.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Hart and Atlanta Bariatrics:
Website: https://www.atlantabariatrics.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlantabariatricsofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlantabariatrics/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AtlantaBariatrics

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

🧭 Get Ongoing Support:
Parallel Paths Membership
A supportive space for people navigating bariatric and weight-loss journeys at every stage, with real conversations, guidance, and community beyond the clinic.
Learn more and join here: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

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Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

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Feeling overwhelmed trying to decide which bariatric surgery is right for you? You’re not alone. In part one of this two-part conversation, Toyia sits down with Dr. Christopher Hart, a board-certified bariatric surgeon with over 25 years of experience, to break down bariatric surgery options in a way that actually makes sense. This episode focuses on understanding the differences between procedures and what the pre-op process truly looks like, without pressure, fear tactics, or quick-fix promises.

This conversation is especially for U.S.-based bariatric patients who are in the decision or pre-op stage and feel stuck, confused, or afraid of choosing the wrong path. Dr. Hart explains how surgeons think through procedure recommendations, why “least invasive” is often misunderstood, and what patients should realistically expect before surgery even happens. Part two will dive deeper into the emotional and mental realities after surgery.

You’ll hear:
• Clear explanations of sleeve, gastric bypass, SADI, and duodenal switch
• The real difference between restriction and malabsorption
• Why bariatric surgery is not one-size-fits-all
• What surgeons actually consider when recommending a procedure
• Why recovery time is often misunderstood
• What the pre-op process really involves in the U.S. healthcare system
• Why surgery works best as a tool, not a solution
• How mindset and preparation impact long-term success

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

🧭 Get ongoing support beyond the episode with Parallel Paths, the Bariatric Paths membership created for people navigating bariatric and weight-loss journeys at every stage. Learn more at https://www.BariatricPaths.com

👨‍⚕️ About today’s guest:
Dr. Christopher Hart is a board-certified bariatric surgeon with Atlanta Bariatrics, where he has spent decades helping patients improve their health through thoughtful, evidence-based bariatric care.

Learn more about Dr. Hart and Atlanta Bariatrics:
https://www.atlantabariatrics.com/
https://www.facebook.com/atlantabariatricsofficial
https://www.instagram.com/atlantabariatrics/
https://www.youtube.com/@AtlantaBariatrics

🎄 Welcome to the Bariatric Christmas Episode! If you’re navigating the holiday season after bariatric surgery, this video will help you enjoy Christmas without stress, guilt, or losing track of your goals. I’m sharing practical tips, mindset strategies, and simple habits that make holiday parties, family dinners, and treat-filled days so much easier to handle.

Complications, hormone swings, and a changing identity can shake any relationship after bariatric surgery. In this raw conversation with Crystal McCarthy, we talk about forgiving yourself, rebuilding communication, and setting boundaries when your new body brings new dynamics at home. We dig into why some couples struggle post-op, the “bari divorce” reality, how attention from others complicates things, and why inner work matters more than the number on the scale. You’ll also hear a needed male perspective on emotions, identity, and staying committed through the ups and downs.#BariatricSurgery #GastricBypass #WeightLossJourney #BariatricCommunity #MarriageAfterWeightLoss #SelfForgiveness #HormoneChanges #BodyImage #Boundaries #bariatricsupport 👥 Join the Community:Facebook Group: Bariatric Paths: Your Journey, Your Tribehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246 🌐 Explore More:Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.comSign up for tips, events, and podcast drops!Full Disclaimer:The content shared on Bariatric Paths is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult your doctor, surgeon, dietitian, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your health, medical conditions, or treatment options. Reliance on any information provided through this podcast, website, or related platforms is solely at your own risk.

Flashback to a raw moment with life coach Melissa , where she breaks down why so many of us keep running back to food—even when we’re not hungry. From infancy survival instincts to holiday comfort foods, Melissa reveals how food became tied to love, safety, and belonging.

If you’ve ever wondered why you crave food when what you really need is comfort, this flashback will make you stop and think.

👥 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!

Full Disclaimer:

The content shared on Bariatric Paths is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult your doctor, surgeon, dietitian, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your health, medical conditions, or treatment options. Reliance on any information provided through this podcast, website, or related platforms is solely at your own risk.

We’re throwing it back to one of the most eye-opening moments with life coach Melissa . In this flashback mini, Melissa explains why bariatric surgery isn’t just about what you eat—it’s about how your mind and emotions impact every bite. From digestion shutting down under stress to the hidden ways we eat on autopilot, this clip reminds us that healing goes far beyond the plate.

If you’ve ever wondered why old habits creep back in even after surgery, this flashback will hit home.

Full Disclaimer:

The content shared on Bariatric Paths is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult your doctor, surgeon, dietitian, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have about your health, medical conditions, or treatment options. Reliance on any information provided through this podcast, website, or related platforms is solely at your own risk.

👥 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!

Season 1 brought the raw, the real, and the revelations we didn’t see coming. In this finale of Fuel Your Journey, we’re looking back at the most powerful moments from past episodes—from food addiction and emotional eating to loose skin, marriage struggles, pregnancy, post-op complications, body image, and more.

You’ll hear the top takeaways from guests like Crystal McCarthy, Frances Cloud, Dr. Daniel Kaufman, Tanya, Mindy & Chase, Melissa Holman, and others. This episode is a full-circle reflection of how far we’ve come and what it truly means to walk your bariatric journey—your way.

• Real talk about weight loss beyond the scale

• Lessons on healing your relationship with food

• Emotional and mental breakthroughs from post-op guests

• Reflections on loose skin, setbacks, and self-love

• Encouragement to own your path and keep showing up

🔗 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!

Four months after gastric sleeve surgery, Kelsey Priest shares the raw truth about life after weight loss surgery.

• Unexpected hair loss and how she’s handling it

• Regret and self-image struggles after VSG

• Emotional eating and mental healing post-op

• The importance of starting healthy habits before surgery

• Redefining success in your bariatric journey

🔗 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!

🎥 Guest Spotlight: Follow Kelsey on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mamapvsg

You’ve lost the weight, but your body tells another story. In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Daniel Kaufman, we go deeper into the art of plastic surgery after major weight loss—covering diastasis recti repair, scar placement, and what really goes into creating a natural, balanced look.

Dr. Kaufman shares insider details most patients never hear until they’re already in the consultation room, so you can walk in informed and confident.

• How diastasis recti repair changes your core strength and appearance

• Techniques for natural-looking scar placement

• Why recovery timelines aren’t one-size-fits-all

• The hidden emotional impact of “finishing” your transformation

• What’s new in skin-tightening technologies for post-weight loss patients

🔗 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!

💻 Visit Dr. Kaufman’s Website: https://www.drdanielkaufman.com/