Bariatric surgery patients often face intense fear about weight recurrence, but understanding obesity as a chronic disease can transform the healing journey. In this BariNation episode, we explore what happens when therapist and bariatric patient Melanie Lindell wears a simulation suit that recreates her pre-surgery body. The experience revealed how trauma and fear live just beneath the surface, even years post-op. We discuss the reality of weight reoccurence, the struggle with body image, and why community support becomes essential for long-term success. Melanie shares insights about finding rest, practicing gratitude, and becoming a "benevolent witness" to your own story. This conversation validates the emotional healing required beyond physical transformation and offers hope for anyone navigating the process of coping with weight recurrence after weight loss surgery.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:   

How weight recurrence triggers deep psychological responses even years after bariatric surgery, and why understanding obesity as a chronic, progressive disease helps patients release shame and embrace self-compassion.

The concept of being a "benevolent witness" to your own story and others' experiences, which creates safe spaces for emotional healing within the bariatric community and reduces the isolation that often accompanies weight regain struggles.

Practical strategies for finding rest amid the constant pressure of obesity treatment, including stepping back from social media comparison, attending post-op support groups, and recognizing that single moments don't define your entire surgical weight loss journey.

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TIMESTAMPS: 

00:00 The simulation suit experience at the Bariatric Solutions Conference, and Melanie shares her background

08:45 Understanding weight recurrence and the fear of weight regain

20:07 Living in a world not built for larger bodies, obesity, and insurance company challenges

31:38 Gratitude as the foundation for emotional healing and recovery

35:54 Finding rest through community support and benevolent witnesses

55:02 Post-op grief, body image, and processing transformation and your personal bariatric story

1:14:53 Being your own benevolent witness and practicing self-compassion

1:20:39 Being open and embracing your feelings

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

The fear of weight recurrence never entirely disappears, even years after successful bariatric surgery, because memories live in the body and can be instantly triggered by experiences that remind patients of their former struggles with obesity.

Finding a bariatric community where you can be authentically witnessed—without judgment or expectation of solutions—provides essential emotional healing and combats the isolation that obesity treatment journeys often create.

Practicing gratitude and self-compassion serves as a powerful antidote to the relentless pressure of maintaining weight loss, allowing patients to recognize that single moments don't define their entire post-op journey or determine long-term success.

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Melanie Lindell, LMHC, serves as BariNation’s CHRO and is a licensed counselor with over a decade of experience in trauma and abuse. A bariatric patient herself, Melanie had Roux-en-Y surgery in 2019 and faced a complex recovery that included complications, additional surgeries, and time on a feeding tube. Her passion is helping others heal and thrive, and she considers it a privilege to walk alongside fellow bariatric patients as a support group leader.

Melanie Lindell - Instagram

Lindell Counseling - Website

The Body Keeps Score - Book

When I Put the Fat Suit On - Melanie Lindell - Blog

BariNation Website

BariNation - Email

BariNation - Partnership Monthly Membership   

BariNation’s How to Find an Obesity Specialist Guide