Bariatric Yarns

In Chapter 7 of An Unexpected Journey, we cover relationships and support. Talking about choosing to share the decision to get WLS with the world or keep it quiet, social media, emotional wellbeing and navigating WLS with kids at home. This is a BIG episode so buckle up!

In Chapter 6 of An Unexpected Journey, I share my weekly update posts from week 1 post-op right through to my 7-month mark. A personal favourite episode so far, it shows just how much things change over the first six months of weight loss surgery.

In the second part of "what to expect" we talk about natural vs surgical weight loss perception, alcohol, water and eating out post-op!

In Chapter 4 of an Unexpected Journey, we cover part one of "What to expect!". It's a mishmash of Instagram posts including talking about movement, hair, nails and skin.

In Chapter 3 of An Unexpected Journey, we cover pre-op, surgery day and post op! Including eating, how I was feeling and the initial consultations.

In chapter two I cover what bariatric surgery is, setting the context for the book going forward! I don't go super into detail but I do include two stories from special friends of mine and their experience of WLS; one going to Mexico and one having it publically in Auckland. The disclaimer on this episode is that I have the case of the sniffles...which turns out to be a little more than that.

Welcome back to Season Two of Bariatric Yarns! In this season I read you the book I wrote after my first year of weight loss surgery, titled "An Unexpected Journey". Chapter by chapter, I will share what I wrote in December 2020, reflecting on the year since my surgery in December 2019 - and then I will reflect on these writings. Now that I'm into my third-year post-WLS many things have changed and I'd love to give you an insight into what that looks like for me. Chapter 1 is all about what led to me making the decision to get WLS! ENJOY! So happy to be back.

In this episode, I talk to one of my long-time friends Megan about her experience with Gastric Bypass in January this year. Megan and her husband went under the knife on the same day, back to back with the same surgeon. We hear about how they navigated those early days with a small child at home and how much life has changed during the year. Megan experienced a complication that meant some time in the local hospital and a stay in the big smoke. 

In this episode, we discuss Body Acceptance and what it means to us individually. We cover the difference between Body Dysmorphia and Phantom Fat Syndrome. Thanks for joining us Emma, Sam, Angela and Natalia!

On this very special yarn, we have a Bariatric Grind Reunion with Lian's co-host Emma! The girls catch up 5 months after their final Bariatric Grind Episode and talk about everything that has been happening, Emma's upcoming Wedding and how the lock-down has been going. 

Charlie Palupe, our Brisbane based Samoan friend returns for his second episode to talk more in-depth about building good habits around food and movement. We talk about mental wellbeing, continual learning, conversations around WLS and how food has bought our Samoan culture together for so long and continues to do so. It's always a pleasure to talk to Charlie! 

Lana and Jess join me on this episode to talk about the BMI Index and what our thoughts are on this as part of the WLS experience. We had some trouble with the audio on this one so apologies in advance, it sounds like we are talking over each other in some parts but it was just the ol' 4G.

In this episode, we chat with Jess all about expectations vs reality with weight loss surgery. Jess talks about how her mindset changed post-op and we discuss how common this is - finding that there is more to life after extreme weight loss.

This Panel Yarn ended up being a 1-1 after some of our guests were unable to make it but @herahauora, Sarah, bought the fire and we talked all about how we know when we are done with weight loss after WLS and then went off on a tangent into taking a compliment! So it ended up being a double banger. Thank you for coming on Sarah! It was a blast!

Fi is a kiwi who was living in the US when she pursued Weight Loss Surgery. She immersed herself in the online WLS Community and made some great friends but due to some health concerns was unable to proceed with WLS. I met Fiona through Instagram and have enjoyed every interaction! She is one wise woman whose words quite often lift up others online. We talk about weight, emotional and mental wellbeing plus more! 

Our first Panel Yarn. 8 WLS ladies talk about how COVID19 has impacted our Weight Loss Surgery Journeys. With a mix of Gastric Sleeve and Bypassed women who had surgery from August 2019 to just 19 days ago, we have a good discussion about how covid has had an impact on our journeys. From cancelled surgery dates all the way through to having extra time at home to adjust to a new stomach. Tune in to hear more! Episode Panel Sam @weighttogosam Ari @aris_fit_to_live Ashton @shrinking.mumma Natalia @itstalz_ Angela @mumgela_meyer Tracey @traces_place Kate @kate.divett

In this episode, Lana and I catch up with our good pal Sam @weightogosam and talk about her experience with the Mini Bypass. We also have a solid discussion about Dr Tererai Trent's book "The Awakened Woman" and we make fun of a lot of other stuff that might actually offend people (take this as your trigger warning).  Fair warning - alcohol was consumed during the making of this episode (from the hosts - not the guest (although she did gracefully donate a bottle of wine)) so please be ready for some childish behaviour. 

I catch up with Natalia for the SECOND time - except our first recording fell off the face of the earth. The last time we spoke, Talz was 8 days away from her big day (her vertical gastric sleeve surgery) and now she is 7 weeks post-op. We talk about how things have been going so far! There are a lot of laughs in this one, it was a pleasure to record! 

Jess joins me to answer some of your lockdown questions around snacking, building good habits at home, social media, learning to love excess skin and much more! My favourite quote from this episode (and forever onward) is "WLS doesn't magically stop you from being a lazy f&ck". Hear about Jess's experience with WLS and our reflections on Lockdown 2020 vs 2021. 

I recorded this little beauty off the cuff. Talking about my recent experience trying a Virtual Gastric Band. Yes, sounds a bit weird considering I've already had Gastric Sleeve Surgery but hear a girl out - it doesn't have the ending I imagined when I started.

We yarn to Brooke about her Gastric Bypass, food jealousy, dumping syndrome, eating too quickly, having weight stalls, experiencing Bulimia as a teen, family-supporting our decisions but not neccesarily agreeing with it and much more!

In this yarn, we recorded our first face to face episode with Den who had Gastric Sleeve Surgery through the Auckland Public System. It's fascinating to hear about the longer process and the benefits of the extra workshops had post-op. We talk about shit, like literally, pooping post-op and Den talks us through her Breast Augmentation that she had a year after her initial VSG surgery. There are a lot of laughs in this one! 

We yarn with Charlie Palupe, Samoan born, Brisbane based ex bander and current sleever! Editing this episode was a HOOT because there are so many laughs. Charlie is one wise soul and he shares with us what he has learnt through experience and his years on this earth to date. We talk about his weight journey, being banded for 10 years and choosing to get a sleeve, adapting post-op culturally with family events based around food (like many cultures), finding love in exercise, struggling with clothing in smaller sizes and SO MUCH MORE!

We yarn with Amy from Blenheim about her weight loss surgery journey. Travelling to Mexico to go under the knife (pre-covid) in November 2019, Amy had a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy and her life has changed in so many wonderful ways since. We chat about being a solo parent and her Dad travelling with her as her support person, chronic illness, clothing (she makes her own), baking (she once trained as a Chef), how making food has always been an outlet for her and how that has changed post-op.  Disclaimer: I call this episode one but it ended up being episode two and I'm not about the re-recording life. 

In this impromptu episode, I introduce myself as the Bariatric Yarns Podcast Host. I talk about WHY I started this podcast and what my hopes and dreams are for it. I also recap my own WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) story and what I wish I knew now that I didn't know then. 

Want to know what Bariatric Yarns is all about? Listen to this!