The BariNation Foundation Podcast

April Williams
  • 4.4 (5)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The BariNation Foundation Podcast, your go-to resource for all things bariatric surgery. Hosted by real patients, we're here to support you on your weight loss journey, whether you're considering surgery or have already taken the plunge. You will find bariatric surgery insights, expert interviews, nutritional tips, and strategies to maximize and maintain weight loss here. We dive deep into our emotional health and well-being before and after surgery and share success stories from real patients so you know you can do this, too! BariNation is your home for bariatric community and support.

  1. The Levers of Control: Mastering Your Metabolic Health and Weight Management - with Dr. Smith

    12 hrs ago

    The Levers of Control: Mastering Your Metabolic Health and Weight Management - with Dr. Smith

    Episode 287: What if everything you believed about obesity was wrong? Bariatric surgeon Dr. Eric Smith joins the BariNation Foundation Podcast to launch a six-part series on Mastering Metabolic Health and Weight Management. Today's episode is about the first lever: Beyond the Scale...Obesity as a Chronic Disease. He explains why only 0.5 to 2% of people can lose enough weight through diet alone to no longer be classified as obese and what the hormones ghrelin and leptin have to do with it. Mental health therapist, bariatric patient and BariNation Foundation Board, Community member, and licensed expert, Melanie Lindell adds the emotional truth: accepting obesity as a chronic disease is not giving up; it is finally getting honest. This conversation will shift how you think about your body, your habits, and your future. Join us for this six-part series, Mastering Your Metabolic Health and Weight Management. What You Will Learn in this Episode: Why obesity as a chronic disease cannot be resolved through willpower alone, and what the actual success rates of diet and exercise reveal about the biology working against you How the hormones ghrelin and leptin resistance change the way your body responds to calorie deficits, making sustainable weight loss far more complex than simply eating less Why bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications create the conditions for change but cannot replace the controllable habits that determine long-term metabolic health outcomes How building consistent habits around sleep, whole food nutrition, and movement forms the true foundation of lasting obesity treatment success This episode of the BariNation Podcast is produced by the BariNation Foundation, a 501c3 dedicated to advancing metabolic wellness for people living with obesity by providing evidence-based education, stigma-free support, and meaningful connections in the moments that shape daily life. Funding is provided by the generous donations to the BariNation Foundation from listeners and viewers like you, Johnson & Johnson, the Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery, led by Dr. Joe Cribbins. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The psychology of results and why visible change drives obesity treatment commitment 04:00 Dr. Eric Smith and Melanie Lindell introduce themselves and the bariatric surgery series 08:04 The six levers of metabolic health and weight management are introduced 09:18 Why diet and exercise alone fail: success rates as low as 0.5% for obesity as a chronic disease 11:56 How triggering life events lead to obesity and why reversing behavior is not enough 23:44 The hormonal science of ghrelin and leptin resistance and their role in weight loss, and why the body fights back against calorie deficits 33:00 The golf analogy: why patients become complacent and stop applying controllable health habits 38:30 The danger of removing friction and how easy access to GLP-1 medications can backfire, and leaning into the idea that obesity is a lifelong disease 44:13 Sleep consistency as a lever: the real science behind sleep and weight loss, and the mental health part of finding joy in yourself 53:08 April's personal gut check and the honest conversation about stalled weight management 1:00:12 How KBI redesigned its entire approach to treating obesity as a chronic disease KEY TAKEAWAYS: Obesity as a chronic disease has a biological basis. With success rates of 0.5 to 2% for diet and exercise alone, this is not a failure of character but a failure of biology working against patients without proper obesity treatment. Surgery and GLP-1 medications provide the spark, but they are not the solution on their own. Without the controllable levers such as whole-food nutrition, sleep, and movement, results will stall or reverse. Leptin resistance and rising ghrelin levels mean that the longer someone has lived with obesity, the harder the body fights against weight loss, making medical intervention and habit-building both essential. Goals bring short-term motivation, but habits create lifelong results. Celebrating the consistency of controllable health habits rather than only the scale is what sustains metabolic health over time. ABOUT THE GUEST: Eric F. Smith, DO, FASMBS, CAQ-MBS Dr. Smith is a board-certified general, bariatric and robotic surgeon who has been in practice since 2006. Kentucky Bariatric Institute - Website Dr. Eric Smith - Instagram RESOURCES MENTIONED: BariNation Community- $19 a month BariNation Website BariNation - Email BariNation’s How to Find an Obesity Specialist Guide Sign up for BariNation’s newsletters J&JMedTech

    1h 10m
  2. Summer, Swimsuits, BBQs & Bariatric Life: How to Celebrate Without Losing Ground

    Jun 17

    Summer, Swimsuits, BBQs & Bariatric Life: How to Celebrate Without Losing Ground

    Summer is here, and so is every barbecue, pool party, and 4th of July spread your family could throw at you. No judgment. We're gonna talk about all of it. April and Nat are back together for a real one, a summer celebration episode built around the four BariNation pillars: movement, mindset, metabolic wellness, and community. They're sharing how they personally live these pillars when routines go out the window, the weather gets hot, and the paper plates get absolutely massive. This one is for you whether you're six weeks post-op or six years out. Because bariatric life doesn't take a summer break, but it absolutely can feel like a party. What we get into: MOVEMENT: Why movement does not have to mean the gym, and how painting rocks, kayaking for the first time, and water balloon fights with your niece absolutely count. Nat shares how she's getting back to exploring outdoors after a really hard school year, and April talks about finally being able to show up at the lake without dreading every moment. MINDSET: The brain gremlins don't stop just because it's summer. Nat (almost six years post-op!) gets real about still dealing with "what are people thinking about my plate" anxiety at social events. April walks through the "catch it, check it, change it" tool, a practical mindset skill from BariNation's licensed mental health support groups, and why the goal is never to stop having these thoughts, just to get better at catching them. METABOLIC WELLNESS: Summer food is protein city if you think about it — burgers, ribs, brats. You're already set up. April and Nat talk about the plate size swap that changed everything at Nat's 4th of July prime rib dinner (yes, really), how to set up a buffet table so you naturally eat in the right order, and why 10 BBQ meals out of 400 summer eating occasions is not the thing that derails you. COMMUNITY: Why the BariNation membership community is becoming both April and Nat's go-to over social media feeds packed with ads and AI content. Real humans, zero algorithm, no one selling you something. Plus, April is launching a summer Whole Food Learning series in the community every Tuesday night with experts and registered dietitians. AND THE BIG NEWS: BariNation is officially becoming the BariNation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, as of July 1, 2026. That means the podcast is now a foundation production, your support is 100% tax-deductible, AND the BariNation membership community is dropping from $39/month to $19/month. Less than a dollar a day. We are not calm about this. Links: Join the BariNation Community: https://barination.mn.co/plans/1983996?bundle_token=403d003e4d6e5c649341e4319c80a3d8&utm_source=manualBariNation Community Calender: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=cqvlhco5fdmkk0lsuasl7ggdu88emhuc%40import.calendar.google.com&ctz=America%2FLos_AngelesDonate to the BariNation Foundation: https://barination.givecloud.co/fundraising/forms/8NDR96EKFollow April: @actively_aprilFollow Natalie: @breakingbari_ersFollow BariNation on Instagram: @bari.nationFollow BariNation on Facebook: @barinationGet our weekly newsletter: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/O2S7vlTVisit our website: www.barination.org

    1h 7m
  3. Your Metabolism Isn't Broken. Here's What's Actually Going On

    Jun 3

    Your Metabolism Isn't Broken. Here's What's Actually Going On

    Your metabolism is not broken. It just might need a new strategy. If you've had bariatric surgery (or started a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic or Mounjaro) and you've hit a wall, struggled with cravings, felt like you can't go more than two hours without eating, or watched the scale stop moving entirely, this episode is for you. Registered dietitian and certified personal trainer Kayla Girgen, RD, CPT is back, and she's here to explain one of the most talked-about, least understood topics in the metabolic health space: metabolic flexibility. What it is, why it matters after weight loss surgery, and what you can actually do about it starting today. In this episode, we cover: What metabolic flexibility actually means (in plain, real-person language)The interstate traffic analogy that makes insulin resistance finally make senseWhy insulin resistance can make it nearly impossible to lose weight and how the disease of obesity is directly connectedThe difference between being metabolically flexible vs. stuck in what researchers call "metabolic gridlock"How movement, even a short walk after a meal, can bypass insulin resistance and get your metabolism moving againWhy sleep is one of the most unsexy, underrated tools for improving metabolic healthWhether a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) is worth it, and what you can do to balance your blood sugar if one isn't in your budgetA real community member question about reactive hypoglycemia, weight gain on GLP-1s, and what strength training might do to help Kayla leads live meetups and classes inside the BariNation community every other month. Drop your questions in the comments or send us an email at hello@barination.org. Find Kayla at @KaylaGirgenRD on Instagram or at KaylaGirgenRD.com. BariNation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more and join the community at barination.org.

    44 min
  4. Ep 284: Years Out and Still Learning: The Long Game of Bariatric Life with Jason Smith and Natalie Tierney

    May 20

    Ep 284: Years Out and Still Learning: The Long Game of Bariatric Life with Jason Smith and Natalie Tierney

    Nobody tells you that the hardest part of bariatric surgery isn't the surgery. It's year five, when life is full, and your bariatric brain goes quiet. Jason and Natalie are back for a real, unfiltered catch-up and this one is for every patient who's thought, "I don't even think about it anymore." Because here's the thing: bariatrics doesn't stop asking things of you just because you stopped thinking about it. Jason shares what happened when a routine gym session turned into an ER visit with a heart rate of 29. Yes, 29. And the wake-up call that followed: a medication he'd been on for years was quietly working against him, because his body had changed so dramatically that the prescription he was given as a very different person no longer fit the person he is now. A physician told him he needed a pacemaker. Another told him to go home and stop taking one pill. The lesson in between? You are a patient for life, not just for the first two years. Natalie opens up about something a lot of long-term post-op patients feel but rarely say out loud: the guilt of not wanting to check in with the bariatric community anymore. Five years out, thriving in a new career as a teacher, and hitting the wall where bariatric life just isn't at the front of the line every single day. She calls it the "I just can't" season, and she wants you to know it's real, it's normal, and it doesn't mean you've failed. Together they get into: Why your medications may need to change years after surgery (and why nobody is checking unless you ask)What "white coat syndrome" (a fear or anxiety around doctors and medical settings) looks like for people who've been heavy patients, and why it doesn't go away just because things are going wellThe difference between pre-op and post-op body literacy: knowing the difference between "I feel fine" and "I actually feel good"Why wins in the bariatric journey don't always look like the scale movingWhat it means to be a patient "forever" and how to hold that truth without burning outHow bariatrics keeps handing you new lessons whether you asked for them or not (Jason's new analogy: an advent calendar of epiphanies that never ends) This episode is also a love letter to BariNation itself. While April is at ASMBS (the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, the largest professional organization in the field), big things are happening behind the scenes in the world of obesity treatment. The conversation is shifting. Patients are being centered. The gap between doctors and patients is getting a lot of attention, and BariNation is right in the middle of that work. If you've ever been years out and felt like bariatric life snuck up behind you, this is your episode. Want to be one of the first to know about our exciting, upcoming changes? Join our email list! Click HERE to join. And we promise- no spam, ever! BariNation is now officially a nonprofit foundation. If this podcast, this community, or this conversation has ever helped you, consider supporting the mission at BariNation.org. Every dollar keeps the lights on and the mic hot. Become a donor at www.barination.org Find us everywhere: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and the BariNation Community at BariNation.org.

    42 min
  5. Ep 283: How to Find an Obesity Doctor Who Gets You with Dr. Charles Thompson

    May 6

    Ep 283: How to Find an Obesity Doctor Who Gets You with Dr. Charles Thompson

    You've been fighting your weight for years. You've tried everything. And now you're finally ready to find someone who can actually help. Where do you start? Your primary care doctor? The websites that offer you another miracle? Should you do what Serena Williams is doing and see a bot doc? In this episode, April sits down with Dr. Charles Thompson, a bariatric surgeon practicing in Brooklyn and Queens, New York, to give you a real, practical roadmap for finding an obesity medicine provider who will treat you like the whole person you are, not just a number on a scale. Here's what you'll walk away with: What to actually look for when evaluating a provider (hint: it's not the letters after their name)Where to search, including which websites are worth your time and which ones to approach with cautionWhat to ask at your very first appointment, and why the best providers will ask you questions firstWhy it is absolutely okay to leave a provider relationship that isn't working for you, and why that is not a failure Dr. Thompson also breaks down the real difference between having insurance coverage for bariatric surgery or obesity medications and actually being able to use it, including why so many patients with qualifying conditions are still being denied care and what you can do to fight back. You'll also hear him say something that almost no surgeon ever says out loud: "It's not your fault." He means it, and he explains exactly why. Plus: April shares the story of her own path to surgery, why word-of-mouth changed everything for her, and why she built BariNation for the exact moments when you need a Nation behind you. Download and print our free step-by-step guide to finding your provider from the show notes. Use it, share it, come back to it. Click HERE to access it. Obesity is a disease. You deserve care. And now you know how to go get it. A Note About BariNationBariNation is a nonprofit podcast and patient community built on the belief that obesity is a disease and that every person fighting it deserves education, community, and care. If this post helped you, consider supporting our mission at BariNation.org/donate. Your support makes conversations like this one possible. Enjoyed this episode? Share it with someone who's been waiting for permission to take the first step. And if you're already in The Nation, you know what to do. See you in there. Find Dr. Thompson: BrooklynQueensSurgical.com Join the BariNation community: barination.mn.co Support our mission: BariNation.org/donate #BariNation #BariatricSurgery #ObesityMedicine #ObesityAwareness #WeightLossSurgery #FindABariatricSurgeon #ObesityIsADisease #BariatricCommunity #InsuranceDenial #MetabolicHealth #ASMBS #ObesityTreatment #BariatricProvider #WeightManagement

    1h 23m
  6. Ep 282: The Not So Secret History of Obesity…Why Here & Now is The Best Time to Seek Treatment with Dr. Nini Peterson, PhD

    Apr 22

    Ep 282: The Not So Secret History of Obesity…Why Here & Now is The Best Time to Seek Treatment with Dr. Nini Peterson, PhD

    “We are built for scarcity, not abundance.” Most people think obesity is simply about willpower or lifestyle choices, yet its history reveals a long tradition of misconceptions, stigma, and ineffective, somewhat barbaric treatments. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Nini Peterson, PhD, takes us on a fascinating journey through the history of obesity, showing how misconceptions have persisted for centuries despite advances in science and medicine. Discover how ancient carvings and medical texts from 30,000 years ago to the 19th century reveal haunting echoes of today’s struggles with weight and treatment. You’ll learn how old fallacies, like “eat less, move more,” have hampered progress and how biology, environment, and genetics play critical roles that modern science now understands better than ever. We break down: The historical perceptions of obesity across cultures and eras and their impact on stigma, shame, and treatment.The evolution of treatment options, from ancient dieting and surgical experiments to today's promising medications and surgical innovations.The misconceptions that still influence doctor-patient relationships and how invalidating these myths can be detrimental to health.The importance of a holistic, individualized care team and why finding the right "fit" in treatment is crucial for long-term success.How understanding the disease’s history helps us combat shame, advocate for ourselves, and pursue effective, compassionate care. This episode is a must-listen for anyone living with obesity or those supporting loved ones in their journey. If you’re tired of outdated advice, want to cut through the stigma, and are eager to understand the true complexity of obesity, this conversation will inspire hope and empower action. Join April Williams as she has a no-holds-barred conversation with Dr. Peterson, an experienced psychologist and obesity expert, who reveals how shifting our understanding of obesity from blame to compassion opens the door to better treatment, more support, and a brighter future. You’ll leave with a new perspective on this chronic disease, fostering hope that meaningful change is possible, and it starts with knowledge. Perfect for patients, caregivers, clinicians, and advocates committed to a science-backed, patient-centered approach. The time to rethink obesity is now, are you ready? Explore the rich history of obesity, its treatment evolution, and the importance of personalized care in managing this complex disease. History of Obesity Presentation Key Topics History of obesity and treatmentImpact of environment and culture on obesityThe role of behavioral health in obesity careAdvances in obesity medications and surgeryThe importance of holistic, individualized treatment The BariNation Foundation The BariNation Podcast is a production of the BariNation Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that advances metabolic wellness for people living with obesity by providing evidence-based education, stigma-free support, and meaningful connections in the moments that shape daily life. The Foundation's mission is to walk alongside individuals pursuing medical, surgical, and comprehensive care, supporting real decisions, challenges, and victories that influence long-term health with the support and guidance of obesity medicine experts. Learn more about the BariNation Foundation and make a tax-deductible donation by going to BariNation.org Sound Bites "We are built for scarcity, not abundance." “Most people overestimate the risk of bariatric surgery and underestimate the risk of living long-term with obesity.” Chapters 00:00 The History of Obesity and Its Treatment 07:23 Understanding Obesity as a Disease 19:54 The Stigma of Obesity and Its Impact 26:45 Patient-Care Team Dynamics in Obesity Treatment 27:24 Navigating Life After Surgery 33:32 The Paradox of Treatment 40:15 Evolution of Obesity Treatments 42:56 Evolving Understanding of Health and Behavior Change 45:45 Redefining Success Beyond the Scale 49:44 The Complexity of Health Perception 53:17 The Importance of Seeking Help 55:51 Understanding the Risks of Obesity and Treatment 58:45 The Journey to Bariatric Surgery 01:03:34 Finding the Right Care Team 01:07:15 The Need for Integrated Health Approaches Nini Peterson Bio Ninoska "Nini" Peterson, PhD is a Staff Psychologist with the Cleveland Clinic’s Bariatric & Metabolic Institute (BMI) and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. Her clinical and research interests include psychosocial MBS evaluations, lifestyle treatment of obesity, binge eating treatment, self-monitoring, body-image disturbance, and psychology group treatment/support groups. She has published in peer-reviewed journals on these topics, and has authored/co-authored 3 textbook chapters for SAGES and APA on the role of the behavioral health provider in MBS and pre-surgical psychological MBS evaluations, respectively. She is the current Integrated Health - Director Elect (2025-2026), former Integrated Health Secretary (2024-2025) and has served on the IH Leadership Counsel since 2021. Nini is also a current member (2017-present) and past Chair (2023-2025 of the IH Support Group Committee, and member of the Health Equity Committee (2023-present). She is a proud member of the inaugural 2024 ASMBS-IH Fellowship class (FASMBS-IH). Links BariNationFoundation

    1h 14m
  7. Dr. Rachel Goldman, Ph.D. | When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence and Break Free

    Apr 8

    Dr. Rachel Goldman, Ph.D. | When Life Happens: The Mindset Shift You Need to Manage Stress, Build Confidence and Break Free

    Clinical psychologist Dr. Rachel Goldman, PhD joins BariNation hosts April Williams and Jason Smith to discuss the psychological and behavioral tools every person needs to navigate life's hardest moments, especially those living with the chronic disease of obesity. Drawing from her new book When Life Happens, Dr. Goldman breaks down CBT into accessible, actionable tools for building emotional resilience, managing stress, challenging unhelpful thoughts, and developing a growth mindset. Essential listening for bariatric surgery patients, anyone managing chronic illness, and anyone stuck between knowing what to do and actually doing it. This episode is supported by AdventHealth Central Florida and the Metabolic Health Institute. If you've struggled with weight loss, you know it's a lifelong journey. At AdventHealth's Metabolic Health Institute, they address the root cause of weight gain with a whole-health approach, from lifestyle support and medication to bariatric surgery. Learn more at http://www.AdventHealthWeightLoss.com What You'll Learn: Build a Mental Health Toolbox — One tool is never enough. Dr. Goldman explains why you need at least three coping strategies and the critical difference between self-care tools (preventative) and stress management tools (acute), and why they're actually the same tools used with different intention. The CBT Core: Your thoughts don't just feel bad, they directly shape your behavior. Dr. Goldman walks through how identifying unhelpful thoughts, examining the evidence, and reframing can rewire the brain over time through neuroplasticity. The goal isn't to eliminate negative thoughts; it's to reduce how long you stay in them. Cognitive Distortions That Keep You Stuck — All-or-nothing thinking, jumping to conclusions, and "should" statements are three of the most common distortions in people with obesity. Dr. Goldman explains how CBT helps patients identify, challenge, and reframe these patterns instead of accepting them as truth. The Diet Failed You. You Did Not Fail the Diet. — A powerful reframe Dr. Goldman used with bariatric patients at Bellevue: the surgery failed the patient, not the other way around. This directly challenges the internalized shame that comes from years of failed diets and reframes it through the lens of obesity as a complex, chronic, progressive disease. Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset — Years of "nothing works" can create an entrenched fixed mindset. Dr. Goldman connects Carol Dweck's research to the lived experience of obesity patients and explores how flexible thinking and self-compassion begin to shift the pattern. Toxic Positivity: What It Is and Why It's Harmful — "Positive vibes only" invalidates real experience and suppresses important emotions. Dr. Goldman explains the spectrum from toxic positivity to toxic negativity, where healthy realistic optimism lives, and why body acceptance is more sustainable than body positivity for bariatric patients. Self-Care Is Not a Bubble Bath — Self-care is anything you do for yourself that is preventative and builds you up before life happens. Showing up to a support group, listening to a podcast, sleeping, and breathing exercises all count. It's a non-negotiable daily practice, not a reward. Imposter Syndrome as a Feature, Not a Bug — The most surprising reframe of the episode: imposter syndrome may actually be useful. Dr. Goldman explains eustress (positive, motivating stress) and why a measured level of imposter syndrome drives preparation, humility, and growth. April and Jason share deeply personal experiences of imposter syndrome in bariatric advocacy. Community, Vulnerability, and Asking for Help — The people who feel they have no right to take up space in a support group are often the ones who need it most. Asking for help is brave, not weak. Practice Your Tools Before You Need Them — Like a fire drill, tools must be practiced in calm moments so the response is automatic when life gets hard. 📖 When Life Happens by Dr. Rachel Goldman: whenlifehappensbook.com 🔗 Dr. Goldman: @DrRachelNYC | BariNation: barination.org | @bari.nation Hosts: April @actively_april | Jason @tha_smithsonian_ Supported by AdventHealth Central Florida and the Metabolic Health Institute. Whole-health obesity care from lifestyle support to bariatric surgery. AdventHealthWeightLoss.com BariNation Foundation*is a 501c3 nonprofit advancing metabolic wellness through evidence-based education and stigma-free support. Donate at barination.org #BariatricSurgery #MentalHealth #CBT #WhenLifeHappens #DrRachelGoldman #ObesityMedicine #BariNation #GrowthMindset #StressManagement #ToxicPositivity #ImposterSyndrome #BodyNeutrality #WeightLoss #BariatricSurgery #MentalHealth #CBT #GrowthMindset #wls #wlscommunity

    1h 12m
  8. Ep 280: Aimee Rothe, Bariatric Nurse and Patient, Talks Breaking Points and the Wild Ride of Obesity Treatment

    Apr 1

    Ep 280: Aimee Rothe, Bariatric Nurse and Patient, Talks Breaking Points and the Wild Ride of Obesity Treatment

    In this engaging conversation, Aimee Rothe, a board-certified bariatric nurse and post-op bariatric patient, shares her journey from being a medical provider who sought treatment for her obesity after a harrowing experience with a patient, when she was over 400 lbs, to being a provider in the field of obesity care. She emphasizes the importance of normalizing obesity treatment, individualizing care for patients, and overcoming the stigma associated with weight loss surgery and onboarding adjunct treatments such as GLP-1’s. The discussion highlights the emotional challenges faced by patients post-surgery, the role of support groups, and the need for ongoing care and understanding from healthcare providers. Aimee advocates for a compassionate approach to obesity treatment, encouraging patients to seek help and not feel ashamed of their journey. Keywords bariatric surgery, weight loss surgery, VSG, Gastric Bypass, metabolic syndrome, SADI-s, obesity care, individualized treatment, patient support, emotional health, chronic condition, healthcare, normalization, weight loss, patient-provider relationship, GLP-1, Type 2 diabetes remission, sleep apnea, PCOS, high blood pressure Takeaways Obesity is a chronic medical condition, not a failure of willpower. Bariatric surgery should be viewed as a treatment, not a last resort. Individualized care is crucial for effective obesity treatment. Patients should not feel ashamed or stigmatized for seeking help. Support groups play a vital role in the emotional journey post-surgery. The journey of weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. It's important to normalize conversations about struggles with obesity. Patients should maintain open communication with their providers. Utilizing multiple treatment modalities is acceptable and necessary. Healthcare providers must understand the complexities of obesity and support their patients. Chapters 04:55 Meet Amy Rothe: A Journey from Patient to Provider 08:25 Understanding Obesity as a Chronic Condition 11:55 The Importance of Individualized Care in Obesity Treatment 16:06 Normalizing Conversations Around Obesity and Treatment 20:24 The Role of Support Groups in Bariatric Care 25:56 Navigating Body Image and Relationships Post-Surgery 30:12 The Emotional Journey of Bariatric Surgery 35:08 Understanding the Reality of Uncomfortable Situations 38:15 Breaking Points and the Decision for Surgery 42:34 The Importance of Individualized Care in Obesity Treatment 47:39 Normalizing Multiple Modalities of Treatment Guest Bio Aimee Rothe, BSN, RN, CBN, CEN, TCRN, NHDP-BC serves as the Hospital Program Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Under her leadership, the program maintains multiple national recognitions, including designation as a BCBS Blue Distinction Plus Center for Bariatric Surgery, an Aetna Institute of Quality for Bariatric Surgery, an Optum Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery, and an American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program Comprehensive Center. Aimee is a Certified Bariatric Nurse and is active within the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She serves on multiple national committees, represents the nursing discipline as a Member-at-Large on the ASMBS Integrated Health Leadership Council, and acts as the Integrated Health Board Liaison for the ASMBS Alabama State Chapter. In 2017, Aimee underwent bariatric surgery to address her own chronic medical condition. That experience strengthened her commitment to guiding patients through the bariatric and obesity medicine journey while advocating for recognition of obesity as a chronic, treatable disease. Her work centers on improving patient outcomes, strengthening evidence-based education, and advancing best practices in metabolic health management. She is also focused on building stronger collaboration across medical specialties, expanding outreach efforts that encourage earlier intervention, coordinated care, and open dialogue about obesity and its associated conditions. Links Aimee Rothe Contact Information mizzerrn@gmail.com WeightManagementUABStVincents BariNation Membership Community: BariNation.mn.co The BariNation Podcast is a production of the BariNation Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit that advances metabolic wellness for people living with obesity by providing evidence-based education, stigma-free support, and meaningful connections in the moments that shape daily life. The Foundation's mission is to walk alongside individuals pursuing medical, surgical, and comprehensive care, supporting real decisions, challenges, and victories that influence long-term health with the support and guidance of obesity medicine experts. Learn more about the BariNation Foundation and make a tax-deductible donation by going to BariNation.org

    46 min
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About

Welcome to The BariNation Foundation Podcast, your go-to resource for all things bariatric surgery. Hosted by real patients, we're here to support you on your weight loss journey, whether you're considering surgery or have already taken the plunge. You will find bariatric surgery insights, expert interviews, nutritional tips, and strategies to maximize and maintain weight loss here. We dive deep into our emotional health and well-being before and after surgery and share success stories from real patients so you know you can do this, too! BariNation is your home for bariatric community and support.

Information

  • Creator
    April Williams
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    303
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © April Williams, Jason Smith, and Natalie Tierney
  • Show Website
    The BariNation Foundation Podcast

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