Bariatric Banter Podcast

Bariatric Banter Podcast

por Hannah Cameron

Salud y estado físico Sociedad y Cultura

Temporada 1

[Matinee Monday] Episode 50: Our Very First Bariatric Banter Podcast Episode

We're re-releasing Episode 1 for Matinee Monday — and if you've never heard it, this is your starting point. In our very first episode, Hannah and Steph introduce themselves, break down their bariatric journeys, and give you an honest, no-filter look at what it actually takes to get weight loss surgery in Canada. We cover how we both ended up at the same Ontario clinic, why we chose VSG (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) over bypass, and what the Canadian bariatric process actually looks like — from the referral to orientation to the 8-12 month checklist of bloodwork, dietitian meetings, social worker sessions, and psychological check-ins before anyone lets you near an OR. We also talk about the orientation experience, which... let's just say the chat was a lot. If you've ever wondered whether someone genuinely asked if McDonald's counts as a soft food on a post-op diet, we have your answer. Plus: why Canada's fully covered program changed how we think about surgery, the real talk on why 30% of people regain their weight, and Hannah's hot take on who's actually ready for this surgery and who isn't. Raw, real, and a little chaotic — just like us.

Episode 49: Hot Takes, Sour Puffs & One Very Bad Korean Protein Shake

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

Episode 48: Dates, Dance Class, and Things We Found on the Internet

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).

Episode 47: Burpees, Bikinis & Breaking the Regain Cycle

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.

Episode 46: Zero to Hangry: Why Bariatric Patients Crash Hard

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.

Ep. 45 The Honeymoon Is Over: Staying Consistent When Bariatric Life Gets Hard

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.

Ep 44. The Real Cost of Being a Bariatric Patient (And Why Everything Tastes Like Cardboard)

Let's talk about the elephant in the room that nobody warned you about before surgery: being a bariatric patient is EXPENSIVE. And not just in the obvious ways. In this episode, Hannah and Steph get real about the hidden costs of bariatric life in Canada – from $60 bottles of Fairlife protein to the mental load of meal prepping for work trips. They're diving into why it's so damn hard to hit your protein goals when chicken breast costs $42, why most protein products taste like cardboard (sorry not sorry), and how grocery shopping has become a strategic mission of hunting down that magical 50% off sticker. But it's not all doom and gloom! They're also sharing their best tips for making it work on a budget, from protein prep strategies to finding the rare products that actually taste good (shoutout to Built Bars and Vector cereal for being the real MVPs). Plus, they're calling out the good food/bad food nonsense, discussing why sometimes you just need to eat half a real muffin instead of a $12 protein one, and announcing their plans to test all the viral bariatric recipes and products YOU want to see. Whether you're pre-op, post-op, or just bariatric-curious, this episode is a refreshingly honest conversation about navigating the financial and logistical realities of life after weight loss surgery. No sugar-coating here – just two friends keeping it real about the struggle bus that is trying to eat 80+ grams of protein a day without going broke. Topics covered: The shocking cost of bariatric-friendly groceries in Canada Meal prep strategies that actually work (and won't make you cry) Why protein products taste terrible (and the rare exceptions) Traveling as a bariatric patient without losing your mind The one-bad-day-won't-ruin-everything pep talk you needed

Ep 43. The Reset: Learning to Slow Down After a Year of Pushing Through

Welcome to the first Bariatric Banter episode of 2026! Hannah and Steph kick off the year with some real talk about the dangers of pushing your body too hard post-surgery, the pressure of New Year's goals, and why slowing down isn't failure—it's necessary. Hannah opens up about her incredibly challenging 2025, from severe pneumonia to cardiac issues, blood sugar crashes, and ultimately hitting a wall of complete burnout. Through raw honesty, she shares how refusing to process her illness and grief led her body to essentially force a shutdown. Steph chimes in with her own experiences of feeling guilty for resting during illness and the realization that our bodies can take 12-18 months (or more!) to fully recover from major events like surgery. The duo tackles the tricky topic of New Year's resolutions, vision boards, and goal-setting—questioning whether these well-intentioned practices actually set us up for disappointment. They discuss the pitfalls of comparing ourselves to social media influencers whose full-time job is creating content, and why it's okay to skip the elaborate goal-setting entirely. Plus: Hannah reviews Kirkland protein shakes and Cobb's new protein bread, announces their 30-day sugar reset challenge, and both hosts commit to focusing on gratitude, realistic expectations, and learning to appreciate stillness in 2026. Key Takeaways: Your body needs WAY more recovery time than you think Control issues often stem from our pre-surgery lives Small, achievable goals beat ambitious vision boards Taking a break isn't failure—it's self-preservation Going slow helps you go fast in the long run

Episode 42: Supporting Someone Through Bariatric Surgery: A Conversation With My Mom

What is it really like to support someone through bariatric surgery? In this special mini matinee episode of Bariatric Banter, Hannah is joined by a very special guest—her mom, Mary Ann—for an honest, down-to-earth conversation about what it looks like to be on the other side of the bariatric journey. From the moment Hannah announced she was having surgery, to attending surgeon appointments, navigating holidays, changing family eating habits, and learning how to support without judgment, this episode dives into the role family plays in long-term success. They talk about: How family members actually feel when surgery is announced Why support doesn’t have to mean completely changing how everyone eats Reading labels, portion sizes, and avoiding “diet culture traps” Navigating holidays, desserts, and traditions after surgery Why communication and respect go both ways Whether you’re considering bariatric surgery, already post-op, or supporting someone you love—this episode is for you.

Episode 41: Gurgling Greta & Holiday Goodies: Bariatric Favorites 2025

This week on Bariatric Banter, we’re cozying up with tea (lots of it), navigating rogue stomach gurgles, laughing through unexpected burps, and sharing our top bariatric-friendly food gift ideas for the holiday season. 🌲✨ From Smart Sweets to collagen powders, protein hot chocolate, condiment must-haves, edamame snacks, and the stocking stuffers we wish we had early post-op — we’re giving you the full holiday guide. We also chat caffeine sensitivity, sipping-while-eating confessions, crunchy knees, naming your stomach noises (shoutout to Gurgling Greta), and staying on track when the season gets hectic. Whether you’re shopping for someone bariatric or you are the someone, this episode is full of cozy vibes, laughs, and legit helpful ideas. 🎧 Tune in now & get your holiday list started!

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