Our Sleeved Life Podcast

• How to Heal Your Identity, Relationship with Food & Self-Love After Weight Loss Surgery

  Epi 340Feeling triggered, lonely, or stuck during the holidays? You're not alone—and this episode is here to help you THRIVE 🎄💪Join your host Mel and Fruzsina Varga, MA, LPC, CMHCA—licensed clinician & mindset coach from POP Recovery Systems—as we deep-dive into the emotional rollercoaster of the post-op journey, identity crisis, body image struggles, and how to reset your mindset during the most difficult season of the year. 🌟 This episode is packed with transformational insights for:Emotional eating recoveryHoliday weight gain mindset tipsOvercoming body dysmorphia after VSG or gastric bypassJournaling & grounding exercises to improve your mental healthNavigating toxic family environments & triggersSelf-sabotage & how to break old patterns 📌 Resources & Links👥 Join the POP Recovery Community – Free Consultations & Coaching📓 Journal Prompts from Mel – www.OurSleevedLifePodcast.com📱 DM Mel anytime — She answers them all!📺 Watch the IG Live Replay on POP Recovery’s and OSLP IG page💬 Need Mental Health Support?You’re never alone. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate support. Text or call 988 (in the U.S.), or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org📣 Subscribe for weekly episodes!If you’re on the bariatric journey, healing your relationship with food, or learning to love yourself again—this podcast is for YOU 💕#MindsetAfterSurgery #EmotionalEatingHelp #BariatricJourney #HolidayMindset #FoodFreedom #BodyImageHealing #VSGRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SelfLoveJourney #OurSleevedLife #POPRecovery Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Cutting Edge Podcast: The Truth About Support After Plastic Surgery | Mindset, Relationships, and Red Flags

  EPI 6On this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, Mel is joined by bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW, and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas for a deep, honest, and much-needed conversation about something patients rarely talk about out loud:What do you do when the people you expected to support your plastic surgery… don’t?This episode breaks down the real reasons partners, spouses, and family members struggle with your decision — and trust us, it's almost never the reason they’re saying out loud. We dig into the psychology, the fears, the passive-aggressive comments, the emotional triggers, and the communication breakdowns that happen before and after surgery.Whether you're preparing for skin removal, reconstructive surgery, or any post-weight loss procedure, this episode gives you the mindset tools and practical strategies to protect your peace, get the support you deserve, and feel empowered every step of the way. 💬 In This Episode We Cover:The top 3 reasons partners become unsupportiveHow abandonment fears show up as jealousy or criticismWhy money arguments are usually NOT about moneyHow to navigate passive-aggressive comments with curiosityWhat to do if your support person is making recovery harderWhen you should bring your partner to your consultHow trauma, past medical experiences, and communication styles affect supportWhen hiring professional post-op care is the best choice How to emotionally prepare for plastic surgery as a weight-loss patient🔥 Big Truths From This Episode:“Support isn’t about who’s available — it’s about who actually shows up.”“Just because THEY don’t think it’s an issue doesn’t mean it’s not an issue for YOU.”“Soetimes the fear isn’t surgery… it’s abandonment.”“Passive-aggressive comments are often someone’s fear showing up sideways.”🩺 Featuring:Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW – Bariatric therapist, mindset expert, skin removal patientDr. Omar Beidas, MD, FACS – Board-certified plastic surgeon, Orlando, FLHosted by Mel – Creator of Our Sleeved Life Podcast & The Cutting Edge Podcast🎧 Why You Should Watch:If you’re preparing for plastic surgery, struggling with lack of support at home, or just want to feel seen, validated, and informed — this episode is going to hit home in the BEST way. You deserve a safe, supported recovery, and we’re here to make sure you get exactly that. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• From Daily Pain to Daily Freedom: Kimberly’s VSG Journey

  EPI: 339Today on Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Mel sits down with Kimberly for a powerful and emotional patient story you’ll never forget. After surviving long-haul COVID, battling cardiomyopathy, going through a hysterectomy, and reaching her highest weight of 360 lbs, Kimberly made the life-changing decision to undergo VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy).Now, 14 months later, she has lost 145 pounds, reversed major health risks, and completely transformed her daily life.In this episode, we dive into:• What long-haul COVID really feels like• How cardiomyopathy and high blood pressure became Kimberly’s turning point• The emotional toll of weight gain after hysterectomy• The bariatric surgery approval process and choosing the right surgeon• Stress eating, emotional triggers, and food addiction• Building habits during the honeymoon phase• Life-changing non-scale victories• How therapy and mental health play into sustainable weight loss• Daily weigh-ins, accountability tools, and managing fear of regainWhether you’re researching weight-loss surgery, considering VSG, looking for real patient experiences, or trying to understand obesity and post-op mental health, this episode is packed with insight, hope, and relatable moments.Watch the full conversation to learn how Kimberly reclaimed her freedom, her mobility, and her life.Listen on all major podcast platforms + watch the full video on YouTube! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• The Cutting Edge: What Surgeons Don’t Tell You About Post-Op Recovery

  Epi 5Think you're ready for plastic surgery? Think again.In this eye-opening episode of the Cutting Edge Podcast, Mel sits down with Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes and Dr. Omar E. Beidas (MD, FACS) to reveal the raw truth about post-op recovery — the stuff you won’t hear during a consult.Whether you're prepping for lipo 360, skin removal, or bariatric plastic surgery, this is the real talk you need. 💬 🔍 What You’ll Learn:The shocking truth about depression after surgery 😔Why protein loading changes everythingThe dark side of compression garments (Fajas) 😮Which supplements & meds to stop pre-op (GLP-1s, Ozempic, etc.)Smoking & surgery — it’s riskier than you think 🚭How to prepare if you’re traveling for surgery ✈️Why your support system can make or break your recovery 💬 Real Talk, Real People:With doctor-backed advice and first-hand patient insight, this episode breaks down myths, gives you honest expectations, and prepares you for a safer, smoother recovery. 🔗 Check out BariatricWarriorSupport.com or licensed post-op nurses & travel help.📢 Comment below: What shocked you most in this episode? Or what’s your top post-op tip? #PlasticSurgeryRecovery #PostOpTips #CompressionGarment #FajaLife #BodyContourHealing #BariatricRecovery #CuttingEdgePodcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• He Hid Behind Comedy & Food—Until Weight Loss Surgery Changed Everything

  Epi 338In this powerful episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Jefe shares his raw and unfiltered story — from battling trauma and unhealthy food habits to reclaiming his health after gastric sleeve surgery. 💪 This is more than a weight loss story. It's a transformation of mindset, lifestyle, and self-love.🎙️ Whether you’re considering bariatric surgery, navigating pre-op weight loss requirements, or in the middle of a post-op stall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the WLS (Weight Loss Surgery) community.🔍 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Jefe chose gastric sleeve surgery after his wife’s transformationHow childhood trauma, emotional eating, and food as a coping mechanism shaped his weight gainThe REALITY of doing a 4-week liquid diet pre-op (yes, it was brutal)Overcoming toxic masculinity and the "I can do it alone" mindsetHow support systems — spouse, friends, and community — can make or break your bariatric journeyManaging food cravings post-op and learning to love high-protein, low-carb mealsHonest talk on mental health, body image, and navigating life after weight loss surgery🔗 Helpful Resources:💻 Watch more WLS journeys: Our Sleeved Life Playlist🛍️ Shop Bariatric Essentials: Our Favorite Tools & Snacks📱 Follow Jefe's food hacks & journey: @@jefesway219 on TikTok👉 If you’re ready to rewrite your story, subscribe and join our bariatric community today. 🎧 New episodes weekly!#GastricSleeve #WLSJourney #OurSleevedLifePodcast #WeightLossSurgery #EmotionalEating #MenInWLS #ChubbyGang #VSGLife #BariatricSupport #BeforeAndAfter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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