Our Sleeved Life Podcast

Can you get plastic surgery if you have poor skin elasticity or a connective tissue disorder like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, host Mel sits down with bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas to break down the critical role skin quality plays in body contouring success.

If you are a massive weight loss patient considering skin removal surgery, struggling with joint hypermobility, or wondering how smoking and nicotine affect your surgical recovery, this deep-dive discussion delivers essential medical facts!

👇 SUBSCRIBE for transparent, expert-led conversations on bariatric recovery and plastic surgery! https://www.youtube.com/c/OurSleevedLifePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

Your skin quality dictated by genetics, age, sun exposure, pregnancy, and smoking history is the single biggest factor in determining whether you need direct skin removal (like a brachioplasty or tummy tuck) versus liposuction or skin tightening. Dr. Beidas explains the anatomy of skin layers, how stretch marks form in the dermis, and what surgeons look for during a physical exam.

We also explore the reality of living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), hypermobility, and Sjögren’s syndrome, as well as why smoking or using nicotine before surgery increases your wound healing complications by 4x or more.

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How do you lose 300lbs and maintain it after reaching a peak weight of 500lbs? In this deeply moving and psychological episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel sits down with psychologist Stasia Bowen (@500tofreedom) to break down how rewiring her brain saved her life after Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG).

If you are struggling with severe emotional eating, bariatric recovery, trauma, or toxic dating dynamics, Stasia’s story of neuroplasticity, extreme weight loss, and mental healing will transform how you look at your weight loss journey!

👇 SUBSCRIBE for weekly transparent conversations, bariatric success stories, and mindset tools!

https://www.youtube.com/c/OurSleevedLifePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

🌟 ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

After coping with severe childhood trauma, high school speed/diet pill addiction (where she rapidly lost 150lbs at 16years old, and toxic relationship dynamics like fat fetishism and feederism, Stasia reached a peak weight of 500lbs

When a terrifying physical moment of breaking through her shower floor woke her up to reality, she committed to fighting for her life. She underwent Gastric Sleeve (VSG) surgery and went on to shed over 300lbs not just by changing her diet, but by completely rewiring the mental neuro-pathways that kept her trapped in obesity.

In this episode, Stasia shares:

The "Zebra vs. Gazelle" Mindset Trick: How using neuroscience and psychological reframing helped her stop emotional food binging.

The Reality of Gastric Sleeve at 500lbs: Why 80% stomach removal leaves a 500lbs patient with a "grapefruit-sized" stomach instead of a "golf ball," and how surgical math affects restriction.

Hitting Absolute Rock Bottom: The traumatic moment her shower floor broke beneath her at 500lbs and how it became her "click moment."

Dark Dating Dynamics & Trauma: Unpacking feederism, fat fetishism, low self-worth, and how unhealed trauma impacts relationships.

Neuroplasticity & Identity Shift: Why real weight loss happens when you stop focusing on shedding weight and start shedding the identity that kept you heavy.

💬 JOIN THE DISCUSSION:

Have you struggled with emotional eating or feeling like your mindset is holding you back from reaching your weight loss goals? What was your personal "click moment"? Drop a comment below—let's support each other!

🔗 CONNECT & RESOURCES:

🧠 Connect with Stasia Bowen:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/500tofreedom/

🙋‍♀️ Connect with Mel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melunfiltered.vsg

🎙️ Our Sleeved Life Podcast (OSLP):

Website: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com

Join our Newsletter for freebies, bariatric resources, and community perks: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com/newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursleevedlifepodcast

🛍️ SPONSOR DISCOUNT & FAVORITES:

This episode is proudly sponsored by ProCare Health—maker of premium, third-party tested, once-a-day bariatric vitamins.

Save on your ProCare Health order!

Use Code: OSLP at checkout.

Shop here: https://procarenow.com

#VSG #WeightLossJourney #500LbsTo200Lbs #BariatricSurgery #GastricSleeve #MindsetShift #OurSleevedLifePodcast #ExtremeWeightLoss #EmotionalEating #Neuroplasticity

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Are you curious about the latest innovations in body contouring, breast lifts, and cellulite treatments? In this episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg), bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes (LCSW), and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas (MD FACS) discuss cutting-edge techniques fresh from international medical conferences!

From the truth about "Internal Bras" and dissolvable P4HB breast mesh to the surgical science behind Avali cellulite release, $360$ lower body lifts, and avoiding vertical Fleur-de-Lis scars, this episode covers everything you need to know about modern plastic surgery.

👇 SUBSCRIBE for more transparent, expert-led advice on bariatric recovery and cosmetic reconstruction! https://www.youtube.com/c/OurSleevedLifePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Beidas breaks down key insights from his recent international speaking engagement in Argentina, including new South American techniques for rib contouring and breast lifts that leave no scars on the central breast tissue. He clarifies the surgical distinction between a true 360 lower body lift and a basic "circumferential tummy tuck," explaining how suspension anchoring keeps outer hip scars from dropping over time.

We also dive deep into new aesthetic technologies, including the all-in-one Aeon Tower and the Avali subdermal cellulite release tool (the "tiny sword" that cuts fibrous bands under the skin). Plus, Dr. Beidas addresses the viral social media lawsuit ads regarding breast mesh, explaining how P4HB dissolvable mesh creates a natural "Internal Bra" for massive weight loss patients. Finally, Ashlyn explores the psychological and functional benefits of skin removal for older adults—from restoring mobility to getting in and out of cars with ease!

💬 JOIN THE DISCUSSION:

Have you ever considered getting an "Internal Bra" or $360$ lower body lift after weight loss? What plastic surgery innovation surprised you the most in this episode? Drop your questions or thoughts in the comments below!

🔗 CONNECT & RESOURCES:

🙋‍♀️ Connect with Mel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melunfiltered.vsg

👥 Connect with Dr. Omar E. Beidas, MD FACS:

Website: https://www.adventhealth.com/doctors/omar-beidas-md-facs-1184919102

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbodycontouring/

🧠 Connect with Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW:

Find a vetted bariatric therapist: https://www.findabariatrictherapist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynchange4life2012

🔍 Verify Your Surgeon’s Board Certification:

Check official medical credentials: https://www.certificationmatters.org

🎙️ The Cutting Edge Podcast / Our Sleeved Life Podcast (OSLP):

The Cutting Edge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuttingedgepod_

OSLP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursleevedlifepodcast

Website: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com

#PlasticSurgery #InternalBra #360BodyLift #CelluliteTreatment #BreastMesh #TummyTuck #MassiveWeightLoss #TheCuttingEdgePodcast #OurSleevedLifePodcast #BariatricRecovery #Avali #AeonTower

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Have you ever wondered what actually happens inside your abdomen during a bariatric revision? In this episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg) sits down with board-certified bariatric surgeon Dr. Betsy Dovec to watch and review actual 4K high-definition video footage of Mel’s Gastric Sleeve (VSG) to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RNY) revision surgery!

11 years after her original sleeve gastrectomy, Mel was dealing with chronic pressure, reflux, and weight plateaus. Dr. Dovec reveals the mind-blowing findings inside Mel’s abdomen including a corkscrewed/twisted stomach pouch, a large Type 3 Paraesophageal hiatal hernia suctioned up into her diaphragm, an un-dissected retained fundus that was 3x wider than normal 75mm vs 35mm, and incidental endometriosis!

Whether you are navigating bariatric regain, researching revisional surgery, or recovering post-op, this transparent surgical breakdown provides critical medical insights and validation for bariatric patients everywhere.

SUBSCRIBE for more honest, expert-led conversations on bariatric recovery and life after weight loss surgery! https://www.youtube.com/c/OurSleevedLifePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

IN THIS EPISODE:

Dr. Betsy Dovec takes us step-by-step through Mel's revisional surgery:

Incidental Pelvic Findings: Identifying uterine fibroids and "cigarette ash" endometriosis spots that cause severe menstrual pain.

Visceral Fat & GLP-1 Impact: Showing how 11 years of sleeve lifestyle combined with GLP-1 medications eliminated nearly all intra-abdominal visceral fat in the omentum.

Preventing Complications: Demonstrating how closing the mesenteric defect (Petersen's space) with permanent Ethabond sutures prevents future internal hernias and bowel obstructions.

The Twisted Sleeve & Hiatal Hernia: Uncovering why Mel experienced chronic chest pressure, and showing how repairing the diaphragm crura causes referred left shoulder pain.

Resizing the Pouch: Dissecting the retained fundus off the spleen and re-sleeving the 75 mm stomach down to a optimal 32 mm pouch over a calibration tube.

Post-Op Recovery & Safety: Distinguishing normal gas pain from dangerous leak symptoms, and reviewing safe diet progressions from liquids to soft foods.

OIN THE DISCUSSION:

Have you ever experienced reflux, pressure, or regain years after a gastric sleeve? Did watching this surgical video help ease your fears about revisional surgery? Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments below!

 Connect with Mel Gottfried:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melunfiltered.vsg

Connect with Dr. Betsy Dovec, MD FACS:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbetsydovec/

Connect with Hannah Schuyler  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahschuyler.rd/

Connect with BodyByBariatrics

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodybybariatrics/

🎙️ Our Sleeved Life Podcast (OSLP):

Website: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com

Join our Newsletter for freebies & bariatric perks: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com/newsletter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursleevedlifepodcast

#GastricBypass #GastricSleeveRevision #VSGtoRNY #BariatricSurgery #HiatalHernia #OurSleevedLifePodcast #BariatricRecovery #RevisionalSurgery #SleeveGastrectomy #DrBetsyDovec #BariatricRegain

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The Cutting Edge #26

Are you currently taking a GLP-1 medication (like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound) and planning for plastic surgery or general anesthesia? In this critical episode of The Cutting Edge Podcast, host Mel sits down with bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Omar Beidas to unpack the medical, psychological, and surgical risks every patient must know.

If you are navigating weight loss surgery, post-bariatric skin removal, or GLP-1 therapy, this video explains why stopping your injection before surgery isn't optional—it could literally save your life.

👇 SUBSCRIBE for transparent, expert-backed insights on bariatric recovery and plastic surgery!

https://www.youtube.com/c/OurSleevedLifePodcast?sub_confirmation=1

🌟 IN THIS EPISODE:

While GLP-1 medications are revolutionary for weight loss and metabolic health, they carry a hidden risk under general anesthesia: delayed gastric emptying. Dr. Beidas breaks down the surgical science of aspiration risk (when undigested food enters the lungs during surgery) and explains why his practice strictly mandates stopping GLP-1s $2\text{ weeks}$ before surgery and holding them for at least $4\text{ weeks}$ post-op to ensure proper protein intake for wound healing.

We also tackle:

Debunking "Microdosing": Why surgeons hate this non-medical term and what smaller/frequent dosing actually means.

Gray Market Peptides & Retatrutide ("Reta"): The extreme dangers of buying unregulated peptides online vs. joining official clinical trials via clinicaltrials.gov.

Mental Health & Dopamine: How GLP-1s impact mood, anhedonia ("feeling meh"), food noise, and addiction pathways.

Visceral vs. Subcutaneous Fat: Why losing 20lbs--30lbs of internal organ fat with GLP-1s before a tummy tuck leads to vastly superior surgical results.

💬 JOIN THE DISCUSSION:

Did your surgeon give you specific pre-op instructions regarding your GLP-1 medication? Have you experienced emotional or mood shifts like anhedonia while on these injections? Share your experience in the comments below!

 

🔗 CONNECT & RESOURCES:

🙋‍♀️ Connect with Mel:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melunfiltered.vsg

 

👥 Connect with Dr. Omar E. Beidas, MD FACS:

Website: https://www.adventhealth.com/doctors/omar-beidas-md-facs-1184919102

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbodycontouring/

🧠 Connect with Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW:

Find a vetted specialist: https://www.findabariatrictherapist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlynchange4life2012

 

🎙️ The Cutting Edge Podcast / Our Sleeved Life Podcast (OSLP):

The Cutting Edge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuttingedgepod_

OSLP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oursleevedlifepodcast

Website: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com

Join our Newsletter for freebies and community perks: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com/newsletter

 

#GLP1 #OzempicAndSurgery #AspirationRisk #PlasticSurgerySafety #TummyTuckRecovery #DelayedGastricEmptying #Retatrutide #BariatricSurgery #TheCuttingEdgePodcast #BodyContouring

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