Bariatric support groups provide an essential community for weight loss surgery patients. Today, we welcome Jonathan Cleveland to the BariNation Podcast to discuss his transformative experience just two months after VSG surgery. Jonathan shares how the BariNation community helped him navigate post-op bariatric surgery recovery challenges, from managing protein intake to celebrating non-scale victories. He reveals how the "space and grace" motto became his daily mantra when struggling with post-op bariatric life expectations. Natalie Tierney and Herb Lentz, who host the beginner bariatric meetup groups in the BariNation Community, co-host the episode to advocate for the power of peer connection versus unreliable internet searches and Facebook groups.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:   

✅ How bariatric support groups provide emotional validation and practical advice that Facebook groups and internet searches cannot match

✅ Why connecting with the bariatric community with Natalie Tierney in BariNation helps navigate post-op bariatric life challenges like protein and hydration goals

✅ The "space and grace" approach to managing frustration during weight loss surgery recovery and celebrating non-scale victories

✅ How beginner bariatric patient support meetups create a safe space for pre-op and newly post-op patients to share experiences

✅ Why joining trusted virtual support groupsand meetups in BariNation  leads to better outcomes than self-diagnosing symptoms through unreliable online sources

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 little as $5 per month!  You can also contribute to BariNation and become a Drive To Thrive Supporter with a one-time or recurring donation.

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Natalie Tierney opens the episode and invites Jonathan Cleveland and Herb Lentz to introduce themselves as members of the BariNation membership community. Jonathan is a two-month post-op bariatric patient, and Herb hosts beginner bariatric meetups

02:36 How bariatric support groups provide a community with like-minded individuals who understand the unique struggles and non-scale victories

06:05 The "space and grace" motto helps manage frustration with protein intake after surgery and hydration goals during weight loss surgery recovery, and other tips

10:17 Overcoming fear of joining bariatric community online meetups as a newbie and finding welcoming peer support

12:32 Jonathan shares why bariatric support groups provide trusted advice versus going down rabbit holes on Facebook groups and unreliable internet sources

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

💎Bariatric support groups offer understanding that friends and family cannot provide, creating a space where members celebrate non-scale victories like not needing seatbelt extenders with genuine excitement

💎 The "space and grace" mantra helps manage early post-op bariatric life frustrations when struggling to meet protein intake after surgery and hydration targets during weight loss surgery recovery

💎 Virtual support groups provide vetted advice from real bariatric patient support members and medical professionals, preventing harmful self-diagnosis from unreliable Facebook groups and internet rabbit holes

💎 Beginner bariatric community online meetups create cohorts where pre-op and newly post-op patients practice curiosity, ask questions without judgment, and build family-like connections

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Jonathan Cleveland currently resides in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. He is 6 months post-op from VSG surgery by Dr. Edmund Chen of the Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery. He has lost a total of 115 pounds. He loves to travel across the world in his free time. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED: 

BariNation Website

BariNation - Email

BariNation - Partnership Monthly Membership   

BariNation’s How to Find an Obesity Specialist Guide