The BariNation Foundation Podcast

In this episode, Jason and Natalie sat down with Lora Grabow, LMSW; bariatric therapist and BariNation mindset expert to decode, define, and talk through the mountain that is emotional eating. Emotional eating affects everyone, bariatric and non-bariatric, and doing the headwork and work of weight loss surgery is vital to our success before and after surgery, as well as our life beyond. 

Follow Lora on Instagram @bariatric.therapist and check out her online course “Headwork for Healthy Weightloss” online at www.loragrabow.com. Lora also leads four support groups a week in the BariNation membership community built around emotional eating support as well as support in navigating life pre and post surgery.

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days! After that it’s just $39 a month. Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

In this episode, we welcomed back dear friend, therapist, and bariatric patient Sarah 

Smith for a conversation about peer support. We defined what peer support is, what we gain from peer support, and how peer support has added to our lives. 

We learned that peer support is based on its own pillars: experience, strength and hope. When we seek those who have the shared experiences, such as bariatric surgery or weight loss medications, we find strength in seeing how they live their journeys, and find hope in what is to come. Studies have shown that those who engage in peer support are more successful in their recovery and post-op life! 

You can find Sarah on instagram @bari.grateful, and within BariNation as one of our mental health experts. Sarah leads a weekly support group for those struggling with transfer addiction after surgery.

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

Most bariatric patients will not experience any complications after their surgery but 1% will. Complications can happen at any stage of your journey, even years or decades after. Complications present patients with a landscape they never envisioned living in and require a great deal of strength, support, and care to navigate through.

Melanie Lindell, a bariatric patient and trauma therapist, has lived through and is currently living through her own WLS complications. She joined us to talk about how patients can navigate these uncharted waters in healthy and effective ways. If you have not experienced WLS complications but are living in a heightened state of stress, anxiety, or worry, this episode is for you, too. April has been struggling to find balance in her life, and in this episode, Melanie and Jason help her unpack some of the reasons. Learning to let go of our fight-or-flight responses is something we can all work on, and Melanie expertly guides us through that process. 

Melanie will host a bi-weekly Complications Support Group in BariNation starting on Monday, April 10th. If you are navigating WLS complications alone, join us. Here you will find a safe and supportive environment to share your story, contain your emotions, and learn to navigate this period of your journey with love and support. Connect with Melanie in the BariNation Membership Community on Instagram at @myroux_n_why and online at https://lindellcounseling.com/

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

Jason sat down with three of our BariNation members, DeAnn, Meagan, and Herb, to talk about what it truly means to commit to their bariatric lives. From coming to the brutal reality that bariatric surgery isn’t a quick fix, to accepting and loving yourself fully, they talk about it all. 

We are so grateful for each of these patients and friends, for being vulnerable and sharing all parts of their journey. Be sure to follow their journeys on Instagram!DeAnn: @d_Ann_PNWMeagan: @sleevedlifeofmegsHerb: @herbariatric 

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

Trigger Warning: Discussions about disordered eating. 

Sometimes the universe aligns and turns lemons into lemonade. April was able to sit down with Elle, BariNation community member and bariatric patient for an incredibly impactful conversation about Life in Matinaiance. Elle was on a mission to finally conquer her obesity but discovered something even greater in the process, her truest self. In this episode, she will share how she has flipped her understanding of what it means to be living a life in maintenance and is embracing her strongest skills to craft a life that is whole. 

We are so thankful that Elle is willing to share her powerful story with us. Follow her on Instagram @schony_wlsedition

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

This week, April sat down with three amazing community members who are in the Life in Maintenance stage, Casey, Laura, and Fiona. In this powerful episode, each person shared what Maintenance has meant to them, how different it has ended up appearing in their lives, and how they are living to adjust to all that life is throwing their way. They each will share some powerful insights and the real and raw aspects of their journeys. While each person’s path to Maintenance has looked very different, the bigger aha moments are remarkably similar. 

We are so thankful for the bravery each woman has shown in sharing their story. Follow them on Instagram if you want to connect with them! Casey can be found at @caseysjourneytohealth, Laura can be found at @lauraleepreston and Fiona can be found @neversayneverfiona

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

This week, Natalie sat down with Alycia, James, and Lori to discuss what life is like at what we call “The Honeymoon.” This stage can be during the first year or two after surgery, when things seem easier, weight comes off, restriction is still strong, and the zest for bariatric life is there. However, the three of them explained that the honeymoon doesn’t always mean it’s easy all the time! They chat about mindset work, ordering at restaurants, and the struggles when restriction lessens.

Alycia is a lover of bright colors and eyeglass frames, 41 year old mom of 2 toddlers and a bonus Army of 1. Always the tallest and largest in her class, Alycia always knew she was meant to stand out. After her second delivery, Alycia had reached her highest weight and wasn’t able to do a lot of day to day things without physical and physiological struggles. Fast forward to 12/15/21, dubbed her other (re)birthday, Alycia had RNY and hasn’t looked back. She founded F.A.B. Fitness May ‘22 and hopes to make a positive impact in the Bariatric community and beyond. You can visit her website at Www.fabfitnessllc.com.

James is a mid-thirties bariatric dad that decided to change his life after learning he'd become a girl-dad. James works every day to stay committed to the bariatric lifestyle with a little humor, lots of sweat, and a nice cigar.

Lori had RNY at age 60 and at 14 months post-op she is loving the life she is making for herself. Lori goes to CrossFit three times a week and walks or goes to Zumba twice a week. At almost 100lbs down Lori is looking at living her best story yet!

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

This week Natalie sat down with three pre-op patients and BariNation community members Ashley, Helina, and Lisa. They chatted about all things pre-op, including what they wish they knew before taking the leap into the bariatric journey. From not realizing how tedious the process could be, to learning that mindset work is a vital component to success.

Ashley is a wife, mom of two (2yrs and 5yrs), and school psychologist in NY. Her VSG is scheduled for 4/5/23. She enjoys watching documentaries (including too much true crime), watching reality tv, and learning about/trying new things. Ashley’s hoping VSG helps fight the fatigue that holds her back from doing things she wants to do. She’s looking forward to spending this summer working on and caring for herself and being active with her kids and husband.

Helina struggled with her weight for as long as she can remember and tried just about every diet out there. Over a year ago she started researching WLS, got referred to OHSU in February 2022, went through personal hardships, was waitlisted for the program at OHSU, but was finally able to start her pre-op journey on 07/12/22. She’s struggled with a food addiction for a long time and has found food as a comfort. But with going back to therapy and mindset work she knows she can do the hard things. She also knows and believes she’s worthy and deserving of choosing herself and her health.

Lisa has been working through a lot of mindset work to prepare for her journey. She has been involved in the BariNation community, and is looking forward to the rest of her life.

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

This month on BariNation, we are focusing on pre-op love! Our pre-surgery selves play a vital role in our lives. They fought for surgery, they battled food addiction, and they shaped the life we are living today.

April, Jason, and Natalie reflected on what they wish they knew prior to committing to surgery. From realizing they had a food addiction, to “damn, I wish I knew headwork was a thing!” they get deep into their “Why” of having surgery in the first place.

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers

Jason and Natalie sat down with Kylie Hansen, a bariatric patient, and Certified Personal Trainer, to talk about what resistance movement is, why it is so important for us as bariatric patients to focus on, and what that could look like at different stages post-op. Kylie also explained how resistance movement was key to her success as a bariatric patient, and how she turned that into her passion for helping others learn to love moving their bodies.

Jason and Natalie made some key connections as to how they utilize resistance movement along their journeys, and how it has helped them progress.

You can follow ch Kylie on Instagram at @kyliehansen.vsg

Are you feeling alone or stuck in your bariatric journey? Connect with fellow patients and experts in the BariNation Membership Community! As a member, you can access virtual support led by bariatric therapists, registered dietitians, wellness coaches, movement experts, and patient moderators. Try our community for 14 days to see if it is right for you! Find us at https://barination.mn.co

Follow BariNation on Instagram @bari.nation for continued support aligned with your bariatric journey. Follow April @actively_april, follow Jason @tha_smithsonian_, and follow Natalie @breakingbari_ers