Bariatric Banter Podcast

Hannah and Steph are back, one of them sick as a dog and both of them with extremely strong opinions about protein bars.
This week kicks off with a little Easter nostalgia — because nothing says "first post-op holiday" like surviving a candy-filled occasion on tuna salad and mashed potatoes. Then things take a turn, as they do, into a PSA about Russell Stover sugar-free chocolate and why Ricola nearly derailed Steph's new job certification call. You'll want to hear this one before Easter weekend.
Then we get into the real content:
Built Bar Sour Puffs have arrived in Canada and Hannah is having a full moment. Spoiler: they're not actually sour, they taste like Laffy Taffy, and candy is officially back on the table
The full Built Bar flavour ranking — peanut butter cup cold from the fridge is elite, coconut is cancelled, and birthday cake is a gamble nobody should take
The Korean pouched protein shake from Costco that went viral and absolutely should not have. Roasted soybean flavour. Does not blend. Genuinely the worst thing either of them has consumed post-op
Milton's crackers — Hannah bought three Costco-sized bags and has zero regrets. 10g of protein, great crunch, worth every penny
Prime cookies and cream protein shakes — drink them cold, full stop

Hannah and Steph are back with a jam-packed episode that somehow covers a $5,000 food convention neither of them can afford, the rise of flavoured dates (yes, really), and why protein is absolutely everywhere right now.
Hannah's been doing a deep dive on Expo West from her couch and has a LOT of thoughts on egg white chips, oat milk leather (wait, what?), and whether the low-sugar movement is actually it or just a scam wrapped in monk fruit. Steph is trying to figure out if she's actually allergic to monk fruit, and the A&W root beer debate gets personal fast.
Plus — Hannah is on a mission to try all 42 classes at Movati. Aqua Bootcamp nearly ended her. Dance class absolutely did. She went in looking like a "flailing f***ing idiot" and somehow came out the other side not caring who was watching. And that's kind of the whole point.
We also recap Rob's free 30-minute call (Steph did it, it was great, zero pressure, highly recommend), talk about why gym culture can feel so intimidating — especially post-surgery — and why we're both just trying to figure it out one class at a time.
Episode 49, baby. Episode 50 is coming, and we're almost at our ONE YEAR mark. Thank you to every single one of you listening from Canada to the US to New Zealand (we see you and we love you).

Steph and Hannah are joined by bariatric coach and fellow post-op bad-ass Rob DiMedio for one of our most real conversations yet.
We’re talking:
Why bariatric surgery isn’t a magic pill (and never was)
The truth about regain (and why it’s fixable)
Strength training without the gym intimidation
Why walking AND lifting both matter
Healing your relationship with food before and after surgery
The mindset shifts that actually stick
And yes… the “inappropriate honeymoon bikini” story 👀
Rob shares his journey from 365 lbs to thriving five years post-op, how COVID delayed his surgery, what he wishes existed when he started, and how he now helps bariatric patients put the whole picture together — fitness, nutrition, habits, and real life.
We also dive into:
Facebook group chaos
Pizza math (4 slices vs. 2 slices 👀)
Why “I’m only eating 600 calories” might not be the full story
And how small, sustainable changes beat extreme resets every single time
If you’ve ever stalled, struggled, regained, felt intimidated by the gym, or wondered “am I doing this right?” — this episode is for you.
No shame. No fluff. Just honest, practical, supportive real talk.

This week on Bariatric Banter, we’re getting honest about something nobody talks about enough: what happens when the bad habits start creeping back in.
From “healthy” restaurant traps that are secretly 900+ calories, to under-eating protein, to hitting that bariatric crash where your whole body shuts down — we’ve been there. And we’re talking about it.
We dive into:
The reality of “zero to hangry” after surgery
Why you can’t “catch up” on protein or water later
How eating out too often slowly becomes a problem
The mental battle of feeling judged when you eat
Grazing, group pressure, and restaurant culture
Learning to advocate for yourself (even when it’s uncomfortable)
This episode is a reminder that you’re not failing — but awareness matters. If you feel like you’ve been slipping a little lately, this conversation is for you.
Because bariatric surgery isn’t about going back to old habits without consequences. It’s about learning how to protect your progress — even when it’s inconvenient.

The honeymoon phase is real… and so is what comes after it.
In this episode of Bariatric Banter, Hannah and Steph get brutally honest about what life looks like 2–3+ years post-op — when routines slip, food noise creeps back in, hormones rear their ugly heads, and consistency suddenly feels a lot harder than it used to.
They talk about:
Why the habits that felt easy in year one don’t always cut it later
The reality of regain (and why no one prepares you for it)
Exercise expectations vs. what’s actually sustainable
Hormones, PCOS, perimenopause, and why it’s not “just you”
The fine line between giving yourself grace and making excuses
This episode isn’t about fear — it’s about discipline, honesty, and protecting the life you worked so hard to build. If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or wondering why things suddenly feel harder… you’re not alone.
Grab your coffee, lace up your runners (or don’t 😅), and let’s banter.