Road to Discovery Podcast: Ending the Stigma of WLS

What an honor to talk with Joseph @rny_in_socal. Bariatric surgery truly saved his life after a heart attack. He is doing the work of wls and living his life fully now. We are so incredibly proud of him and thankful that he shares his vulnerability with us. Like he said it is ok to not be ok. You will never be alone even when you are not ok. This community will be there by your side. Thank you for your service to our country and our community. Thank you for helping to end the stigma of WLS.

Thank you so much for coming on the podcast Daryl! Thank you for sharing a little bit about your story and how you are helping others to love their selves fully as they are! Thank you for sharing about your podcast, mental health awareness, and living with CP. You have shown that you can overcome and your positive outlook is truly inspiring! Check out Daryls IG @yourlevelfitness and @Daryltperry ! Love you R2DP fam! We are happy to be back! Thank you for all your support always!

We catch up with Michele known as @gasbygranny on ig! She is 11 months post op gastric bypass surgery and 120 lbs down! That is amazing and we are so proud of her hard work! She has two plastics consults coming up that we look forward to hearing about AND she was nominated in the Top 5 for Favorite over 50 bariatric Journey in the OSLP Just Be You Bariatric Award Show created by Kellie and Mel of Our Sleeved Life Podcast! Check it out at jbyawards.com

So great to be back! Lots has happened in each of our lives! From plastics to moving to new diagnosis to work etc! Bex and Nicole share there experience with there first round of plastics. Nicole had her Plastics by Dr. Lazos in Mexico and Bex had her plastics by Dr. Dry at Athenix in Bellevue. So many similarities, but also so many differences!

Fiona @neversayneverfiona talks raw and real about regain, her eating disorder, postpartum depression and more. We need to end the stigma on regain and the use of adjunct tools to treat the chronic disease of obesity! We need to talk about it and advocate!

Was so great to talk with Heather and hear about not only her VSG journey, but also her Transplant Journey and how that played a role in her VSG journey and life.

Was so great to talk to Meg @viptravelgirl on the podcast today! We talked about WLS, plastics, and travel! Make sure you also follow @bari.adventures for updates on meet ups and travel to connect with the community! Thank you all for listening and being a part of the R2DP Family! If you want early access or special perks: Patreon.com/R2DP . @roadtodiscoverypodcast

This episode was so fun! So much amazing conversation between @theweightingtable Podcast and @Roadtodiscoverypodcast . The Weighting table is another podcast brought to you by bariatric patients that helps end the stigma of WLS and has those important conversations. What an honor to talk with Murph @murphs_losin_it , Rob @weightinginvein , and Shea @growwithshea . Thank you for all you do for the community! Check out their instagrams, spotify, facebook, and youtube channel! https://open.spotify.com/show/35ZRwEIaZpn0PR95BPZ21E?si=urgRYZqTRjGp18TvsjYskg If you want early access to our podcast and special perks go to Patreon.com/R2DP . We also have merch brought to you by our lovely friend Jess @abarijoyfullife with @barighouls on bonfire. https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ . Thank you so much for all your support and love R2DP Family!

Was such an honor to talk with Heather Baum Bariatric ARNP @balanced_bariatric_life and Stephanie @metamorphasteph about all things WLS, Revisions, Plastics, working in Bariatrics etc. Check out our Patreon.com/R2DP for exclusive perks and early access to episodes . We also have Merch thanks to Jess @abarijoyfullife at https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ with the @barghouls merch as well! This supports the wls community and helps bring awareness to end the stigma of WLS. If you are interested in being on the podcast send us a DM @roadtodiscoverypodcast we would love to hear from you! Thank you for your love and support R2DP family!

3 month Check in with Jack, JZ, & Rob! Men have WLS too! Consistency is key! Such an honor to talk with Jack @journey2red , JZ @vertical_jz , and Rob @myweightishistory . Rob is such a great support in the community to everyone and has been a great support to both Jack and JZ! Rob is always full of wise words and great information for success and to stay consistent and dedicated! Thank you all of you for hopping on and chatting with us! We will definitely have you back on, because there is so much great things we can discuss! Thank you R2DP family for listening and supporting! If you would like to be on a episode we would love to have you! Send us a message on @roadtodiscoverypodcast . Check out Patreon.com/R2DP for perks and early releases of episodes! We also have R2DP merch with @barighouls /Bariatric Hype Squad that supports the community and helps end the stigma of wls and start the conversation when you wear it! https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ . We are wishing Nicole speedy recovery and love as she goes in for her first round of plastics and also Bex who is 30 days out from her first round of plastics and Steph will be her nurse!

Thank you Maureen @mgjourney2me , Stephanie @pumpkins.vsg , and Michelle @gasbygranny for joining us and sharing your stories and experiences before and after wls. It is so important for us to share our stories and that you can have wls at any age if you feel it is right for you! It is safe and it changes lives! We also get to see that yes your “why” can change during your journey! Thank you all again we had so much fun talking to each of you. We are so proud of all your hard work and cannot wait to see what the future holds! If you liked listening to this podcast make sure to follow and hit that bell to be reminded of new episodes, leave a review, or join us on Patreon.com/R2DP for early releases and special perks! Follow us on IG @roadtodiscoverypodcast and on FB. If you are ever interested in being on the podcast. We love guests and would be happy to have you. Send us a message! This is a safe place. Also check out merch for Barighouls/ Bariatric Hype Squad / R2DP brought to you by our friend Jess @abarijoyfullife at https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife this supports the community, helps bring awareness, and helps end the stigma of WLS. Thank you so much for all your love and support R2DP Family!

Such an amazing episode and honor to chat with Lauren @Laurensleeved0617 who is one of the amazing friends in the community that has known me ( Steph) my entire journey and was one of the only ones I knew in the beginning of my complications that also went through similar ( Also Maddie, Jody, Christine). We get to hear all about her journey with WLS ( 3 surgeries from complications), her pregnancy 2.5 years post op with complications, and mental health. Lauren is a mental health counselor herself and really advocated for both mental health and sharing about the post op complications as well. We also get to hear from Kas on how she is doing and advocating more mental health daily on her journey and how we all wish the stigma wasn't there for both Mental Health and WLS. It was awesome to hear about plastics recovery while being a bariparent as well. Thank you so much Lauren for coming on and sharing your story! We love you! If you liked this episode make sure to turn on your notification bell so you are notified of our new podcasts, follow us on facebook and IG @roadtodiscoverypodcast . And check out the lovely merch by @Abarijoyfullife our wonderful friend Jess who made @Barighouls, @Bariatrichypesquad, and R2DP merch. This not only supports the community, but it also brings awareness and helps end the stigma of WLS. If you want early access to podcasts or special perks check out the Patreon.com/R2DP . Lastly if you are interested in being a guest we would love to have you! Message any of us! Thank you R2DP Family and Remember you matter and so does your story!

Was so amazing and an honor to have Tawnya @vsg.my.way.tawnya and Stacy @Sleeved.second.act . Both of these amazing women had VSG in their 50s! We got to hear about their journeys, generation differences with food growing up, non scale victories, their whys and more! Know that you can have bariatric surgery at any age. If you feel bariatric surgery is right for you we encourage you to reach out to your provider. Remember you are never alone in this journey and this community is here for you. Check out the Patreon for special quirks and early access to podcasts at Patreon.com/R2DP and also check out Merch for @barighouls, @bariatrichypesquad , and @roadtodiscoverypodcast courtesy of our friend Jess @abarijoyfullife at https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ . This helps bring awareness of WLS, end the stigma of WLS, and supports the community. Use code: BARIATRICWARRIOR for a discount too! A huge shoutout and thank you to all of our R2DP Family, Listeners, Followers, and Patrons! We appreciate you taking time out of your busy days and giving our little podcast a listen.

*trigger warning* We do discuss some sensitive topics. I want to thank both Kas @queensparklesleeve and Pepper @peppers_by_the_lb for sharing their stories and plastics journey. Kas is 2 weeks post op Mastopexy , reduction mammaplasty , and extended Brachioplasty after 186 plus lb weightloss post vsg surgery and Pepper is 9 weeks post op extended tummy tuck, mastopexy, BBL, fat transfer to cheeks and lips after a 260 lb weightloss post vsg surgery. Super excited for Bex who has plastics (360 lower body lift) on April 14th and Steph gets to be her nurse for 2 weeks! Nicole has plastics in Mexico on March 17th and will be getting brachioplasty, 360 lower body lift, and a BBL! We are so excited for them both! We will catch up again with all them as they progress on their plastics journeys! Make sure you check out the Merch Store for all your R2DP , Barighouls, and Bariatric Hype Squad Merch brought to you by our good friend Jess @abarijoyfullife at https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ and also if you want first dibs on podcast episodes and exclusive perks check out our Patreon at Patreon.com/R2DP ! If you are interested in being on a podcast episode shoot us a follow and DM on instagram @roadtodiscoverypodcast . See you really soon as February through March is packed full of podcast episodes to come! We love you!

We got to catch up with JZ and Jack 6 weeks ish post op VSG and Steph post op RNY revision! We talked about what was going on in life post op, intuitive eating, the mind fucks, poop, stalls, exercise, clothes, nsv's etc! Is always fun talking to these super cool dudes in the wls community! Goes to show you Men have WLS too and it is so great to hear their perspective and journey! We will catch up again with them when we are 3 months post op! If you would like perks and exclusive early access to podcasts check out Patreon.com/R2DP or would like to support the community and help bring awareness to wls and end the stigma of wls we have merch for R2DP, Barighouls, and Bariatric Hype Squad courtesy of our wonderful friend @abarijoyfullife Jess, Madison, and Jean-Marie. https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ . We have many exciting podcasts coming up for all of you! If you are interested in being on a podcast send us a message! We would love to have you! Thank you R2DP family!

Thank you for being so flexible among the technical difficulties during recording! I need to learn how to edit! Got the honor to talk with @siriuslestrange_stomach creator of @mias.bariatric.exchange about her journey and what she created for the community with this bariatric exchange over the last 5 years. Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and story. Mia is a very big advocate for reproductive and women's rights among other things. I know it is not easy to talk about, but it is important to and it will help others. In this episode is a very sensitive topic. Please be aware before you listen. You can still sign up to be a part of the exchange as the waitlist will be opened up soon! Thank you for creating this opportunity for those in the bariatric community to get to know each other and spread a little joy. Its all about connecting! Check out the link in Mia's bio on instagram to join the exchange! Check out Patreon.com/R2DP to get special perks and listen early! Check out the merch store to get your @barighouls, @bariatrichypesquad, and @roadtodiscoverypodcast merch to help end the stigma and support the community! Big thank you to @abarijoyfullife! https://www.bonfire.com/bhs-nocturnal-bee-1/

We chat with @finding_reenie and @lc_vsg_journey about their Plastics journeys day of surgery and post op. We also get to chat with Kas our very own R2DP co-host who has her first round of plastics in 20 days! We are so excited for you! Thank you ladies for joining us! Know the decision on whether to have plastics is not a decision to take lightly. Please do your research and discuss with your medical team. And even if you choose not to have plastics that is completely ok to! You are a rockstar and did the hard work either way! We love you! Check out Patreon for special perks and to support us at Patreon/R2DP. Also support us and other in the community and end the stigma of WLS by purchasing @Barighouls @Bariatrichypesquad and @roadtodiscoverypodcast merch at https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ if you are interested in being on a episode let us know! We would love to have you! LOVE YOU R2DP fam! Our very own Kas @queensparklesleeve and @becoming_bex have upcoming plastics. I always strive to pay it forward in this community as so many have helped me. No obligation at all , but if you have any items you would like to donate to either of them to help in their surgery recovery or help out they both allowed me to share their amazon lists! Your support is more than enough always, but if you would like to help out two amazing ladies in the wls community we all would be forever grateful! There is no shame in asking for help or being open to receiving it from those who love and support you and want to do that. Surgery takes a lot of post op wound care, compression, tools to help activities of daily living like showering, going to bathroom, etc when you are restricted in movements after surgery and it is expensive so anything helps! Bex: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/19XJHD06XR7UX?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=PAAabZAydrvZA1iNuHxALPvzegC1Yvi8bgQEjG7e0wvdpX7KFMa2jhRZhRtHs Kas: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/YLK2D00OPI9P?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=PAAaZhcOD1Sv4I-5lDz-htWsjZ58iB0eNxBzjiIp5WeeKNcQd09gAa5YFqy4U

This Episode was so fun! PART TWO! We got to talk to JZ @vertical_JZ and Jack @journey2red on instagram who both had VSG surgery on December 7th… while their surgery buddy Steph @bariatricwarrior had her 2nd revision from sleeve to RNY Gastric bypass with appendectomy/ tissue necrosis removal/ adhesion removal/ LT repair/ dilation. YES MEN HAVE WLS TOO! END THE STIGMA! Thank you both for joining us and we will definitely be following along and coming back to talk together as we get further out! We will also be talking with Ashley @ashleykcasaus who had Duodenal switch in a future episode. Next up we will be talking with LC and Reenie again on Post op Plastics as well as our very own Kas who is about to have plastics in January and we are so excited for her. Then soon to follow is Bex and I get to be with both of them post op *fingers crossed* to be a support. I (Steph) have a background in working as a nurse in plastic surgery! So much amazing things to come on @roadtodiscoverypodcast . If you want exclusive first access of episodes, merch goodies, and more sign up to become a patron of patreon , which supports us and gives you perks! Patreon.com/R2DP . We also have merch that not only is cool to wear because its our faces, but it also supports people in the wls community and helps bring awareness and helps end the stigma of wls when you wear it… because people do ask oh hey what is that, which gives an opportunity to start a conversation about WLS and show people that this is an option and its not my 600 lb life. MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ once again thank you all for your support and love! We love our R2DP family. If you would like to be on a episode please reach out on instagram!

This Episode was so fun! We got to talk to JZ @vertical_jz and Jack @journey2red on instagram who both had VSG surgery on December 7th… while their surgery buddy Steph @bariatricwarrior had her 2nd revision from sleeve to RNY Gastric bypass with appendectomy/ tissue necrosis removal/ adhesion removal/ LT repair/ dilation. YES MEN HAVE WLS TOO! END THE STIGMA! Thank you both for joining us and we will definitely be following along and coming back to talk together as we get further out! We will also be talking with Ashley @ashleykcasaus who had Duodenal switch in a future episode. Next up we will be talking with LC and Reenie again on Post op Plastics as well as our very own Kas @queensparklesleeve who is about to have plastics in January and we are so excited for her. Then soon to follow is Bex and I get to be with both of them post op *fingers crossed* to be a support. I (Steph) have a background in working as a nurse in plastic surgery! So much amazing things to come on @roadtodiscoverypodcast . If you want exclusive first access of episodes, merch goodies, and more sign up to become a patron of patreon , which supports us and gives you perks! Patreon.com/R2DP . We also have merch that not only is cool to wear because its our faces, but it also supports people in the wls community and helps bring awareness and helps end the stigma of wls when you wear it… because people do ask oh hey what is that, which gives an opportunity to start a conversation about WLS and show people that this is an option and its not my 600 lb life. MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ once again thank you all for your support and love! We love our R2DP family. If you would like to be on a episode please reach out on instagram!

We chat with @finding_reenie and @lc_vsg_journey about their Plastics journeys Part 1 . On the next part we will dive deeper into day of surgery and the recovery after! Thank you ladies for joining us! Know the decision on whether to have plastics is not a decision to take lightly. Please do your research and discuss with your medical team. And even if you choose not to have plastics that is completely ok to! You are a rockstar and did the hard work either way! We love you! Check out Patreon for special perks and to support us at Patreon/R2DP. Also support us and other in the community and end the stigma of WLS by purchasing @Barighouls @Bariatrichypesquad and @roadtodiscoverypodcast merch at https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ if you are interested in being on a episode let us know! We would love to have you! LOVE YOU R2DP fam! Congrats Steph @bariatricwarrior on that JBY Bariatric warrior award. What an honor and legacy! You are so deserving! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Join Kas, Bex, and Nicole as they talk about their thoughts going into their consults, researching surgeons, costs, types of surgeries, etc. And Steph sounding froggy recovering from Laryngitis showing up to support her R2DP fam. On Next episode we will be talking with @lc_vsg_journey and @finding_reenie and some other special guests! Then we will go back to the beginning and talk about preop to fresh post op as Steph goes into her 2nd revision! Check out @barighouls @bariatrichypesquad and @roadtodiscoverypodcast merch on Bonfire! https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ Also if you like perks and early access to episodes join Patreon.com/R2DP Thank you so much for all your love and support! Shout out to our Patrons and also to the amazing @abarijoyfullife, @finding.jm, and @Madisons_rny_journey for collabing with us on merch and supporting our girl steph with her upcoming surgery! All of you are so appreciated!

Check out @Barighouls , @Bariatrichypesquad, @Roadtodiscoverypodcast on Instagram! Barighouls was created by 3 amazing women in the WLS community: @abarijoyfullife @finding.jm @madisons_rny_journey . A community that allows you to be your alternative spooky self. All are welcome in the Barighouls community and the R2DP Fam. I am beyond grateful for Barighouls for supporting me always and to so many of you who have poured your love and support out to me throughout my entire journey. I found my people and I am so thankful to each and everyone of you. This community keeps me going and shows me I am not alone. You are not alone. We are here for you. For the month of November proceeds from BHS/ Barighouls/ R2DP merch are being donated towards Steph's @bariatricwarrior medically necessary 2nd revision. You are not only supporting a fellow bariatric friend, but you are also supporting the wls community by bringing awareness to how WLS has saved so many peoples lives and ending the stigma of WLS by wearing the merch. You are also bringing awareness that struggle is real. We all struggle and you are Not alone. You have a whole community rooting for you. SHOP HERE: https://www.bonfire.com/store/abarijoyfullife/ PATREON: Patreon.com/R2DP

*trigger warning* This one is REAL personal and close to home. We will hear from Ali @drink.yer.water on instagram who is almost 4 months post op now and her story/mindset with post op complications. Then later on Steph @bariatricwarrior on insta who is a little over a year post op Sleeve and 6 months post op 1st revision of Ligament Teres cardiopexy HH repair Sleeve Dilation and anchoring (failed) and needing her second medically necessary revision to full rny gastric bypass. In the next episode we will hit on more common post op complications/mental health around them. Remember every story is different. Every struggle big or small is valid. You do not have to be positive all the time. You are human. Give yourself space and grace. Never give up. You are not alone. If you are struggling with anything please reach out to any of us as we provide a safe space as well as your medical provider/care team. If you are experiencing any thoughts of self harm, harm to others, or suicidal thoughts please call 911 immediately and seek emergent medical attention. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you would like to get early access to episodes and special perks we would love to have you join the patreon r2dp family at patreon.com/R2DP . If you would like to inquire about donating, sharing, or sending words of encouragement to steph. The Gofund me link several of us made for her is: https://gofund.me/8b957c87 again no obligation at all! Thank you so much!

*trigger warning* This one is REAL personal and close to home. We will hear from Ali @drink.yer.water on instagram who is almost 4 months post op now and her story/mindset with post op complications. Then later on Steph @bariatricwarrior on insta who is a little over a year post op Sleeve and 6 months post op 1st revision of Ligament Teres cardiopexy HH repair Sleeve Dilation and anchoring (failed) and needing her second medically necessary revision to full rny gastric bypass. In the next episode we will hit on more common post op complications/mental health around them. Remember every story is different. Every struggle big or small is valid. You do not have to be positive all the time. You are human. Give yourself space and grace. Never give up. You are not alone. If you are struggling with anything please reach out to any of us as we provide a safe space as well as your medical provider/care team. If you are experiencing any thoughts of self harm, harm to others, or suicidal thoughts please call 911 immediately and seek emergent medical attention. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you would like to get early access to episodes and special perks we would love to have you join the patreon r2dp family at patreon.com/R2DP . If you would like to inquire about donating, sharing, or sending words of encouragement to steph. The Gofund me link several of us made for her is: https://gofund.me/8b957c87 again no obligation at all! Thank you so much!

R2DP joined by @yourspiritualgps Kaeleigh talk about body image Distortion, Mindset, and What BDD actually is. Our experiences with it all. Thank you so much for your support! Patreon.com/R2DP

*trigger warning* How support systems can change from before and after surgery. Our personal experiences.. the good and the bad. And a HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND THIS WONDERFUL COMMUNITY! - Love Bex, Steph, Kas, & Nicole. Some exciting News as well as our new R2DP Instagram is Live! @Roadtodiscoverypodcast

*trigger warning* Talking all about What Intuitive eating is and is not after Bariatric Surgery! Check out our patreon for early access to our podcast and perks! Patreon.com/R2DP

*trigger warning* Join us as we talk about Bariatric Surgery Myths and feature some amazing people in the community as they tell us their “Why” and myths they had before WLS and how it changed after. Thank you Francesca and Jess for sharing your story. Thank you so much for listening. Please let us know what you think and if you would like to be a guest on the podcast. We want to feature you. Check out our Patreon to show support and get exclusive content/perks! Patreon.com/R2DP

*trigger warning* Join us as we talk about each of our processes to getting Bariatric Surgery and the start of the never ending spin offs of Bariatric Surgery Myths. Thank you so much for listening. Please let us know what you think and if you would like to be a guest on the podcast. Check out our Patreon to show support and get exclusive content/perks! Patreon.com/R2DP

*Trigger Warning* Who are we. Why are we doing this Podcast. Introducing R2DP Road to Discovery: Ending the Stigma of WLS Podcast. Sharing a little bit about each of us and our why. We love you R2DP Fam! Thank you for joining us! Tune in next time! Follow and hit the bell for notifications when we post new episodes. Let us know your feedback and what you would like to hear about.

A podcast all about ending the stigma of WLS, bringing together the community, and sharing everything WLS related. Come join the road to discovery! From bariatric patients to you! ❤️ Bex, Steph, Nicole, Kas