Inside Bariatrics

Inside Bariatrics

by Aoife McMahon
MedicineNutrition
Season 1
What Weight Loss Taught Me: Bariatric Care, Lived Experience and Listening | Series 1 Finale
In this final episode of Series One of Inside Bariatrics, I’m sharing a more personal reflection on my journey as a dietitian working in weight management, bariatric surgery, and relationship with food. When I first entered dietetics, I thought I would find the “answer” to weight loss. I wanted to support people living in larger bodies who had experienced stigma and unfair treatment, and I believed that with enough knowledge and expertise, I would discover the key to helping people achieve lasting weight loss. Over years of working in weight management clinics, supporting people using weight loss medications, and following people after bariatric surgery, I began to notice something more complex. Alongside the conversations about weight, food, and health, there was often another layer — one involving identity, shame, expectations, relationships, and the experiences people carry in their bodies. In this episode, I reflect on: the moment that changed how I understood weight loss conversations what hundreds of bariatric surgery follow-ups taught me about the complexity of health and wellbeing the realities of positive and challenging experiences after bariatric surgery why weight loss interventions cannot be separated from the person experiencing them how discovering the field of eating disorders and relationship with food changed my clinical approach why I created Inside Bariatrics and my hopes for future conversations I also share a little more behind the scenes about creating this podcast as an independent podcaster, clinician, business owner, and single motherhood. My hope for this podcast has always been to create space for conversations that allow for complexity, nuance, and humanity. Conversations where lived experience is valued, difficult topics can be explored openly, and people feel seen beyond their weight. Thank you so much to everyone who has listened, shared, and contributed to Series One. I’m incredibly grateful to every guest who trusted me with their stories and expertise. If you would like to share your experience of bariatric surgery, considering surgery, living with weight-related interventions, or your clinical experience, I’d love to hear from you. 📧 Contact: aoife@centreforliberatingnutrition.com Disclaimer: This podcast is for information and discussion purposes only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice.
S1 · E8
Jul 17, 2026
20:48
From Bariatric Surgery to Eating Disorder Ward? What Inpatient Care can Teach Us With Talia Cecchele, RD
What happens when struggles with food continue—or even intensify—after bariatric surgery or starting GLP-1 medication? In this episode, Aoife McMahon is joined by eating disorder dietitian Talia Cecchele to explore the often-overlooked intersection between bariatric surgery, GLP-1s and eating disorders. A rare insight into inpatient eating disorder care Why eating disorders can be normalised, missed or dismissed in different body sizes Talia’s perspective from both hospital wards and clinic appointments The unique challenges of supporting someone post-bariatric surgery with an eating disorder Compassionate, collaborative care when food and recovery feel complicated What recovery can feel like Connect with Talia! Website: https://www.taliacecchele.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcnutrition/ Podcast: Food is Food: https://open.spotify.com/show/0019OYQC87gOE8NkcvI854?si=94794ce867e241ff Connect / Learn more: Follow Aoife McMahon on Instagram: @thatirishdietitian Work with me: centreforliberatingnutrition.com
S1 · E7
Jul 7, 2026
44:54
Ozempic/GLP-1s: When Dieting isn't the Goal
If you’re considering a GLP-1 medication like semaglutide for weight loss, or you’re already taking one, this episode offers an important perspective you may not have heard before. In this Lived Experience conversation, Aoife McMahon speaks with Chelle, who was prescribed a GLP-1 medication (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes management, not weight loss. In this episode, we cover: Chelle’s history with dieting, body image, and discovering intuitive eating Receiving a pre-diabetes and later diabetes diagnosis Starting metformin and semaglutide for blood sugar management The difference between GLP-1 use for diabetes vs weight management Navigating appetite changes without returning to restriction or calorie counting Body trust, medication, and long-term health management Links & Resources Work with me: centreforliberatingnutrition.com Instagram: @thatirishdietitian More resources: Health At Every Size, by Lindo Bacon Disclaimer: This episode reflects lived experience and does not constitute medical advice.
S1 · E6
Jun 30, 2026
57:19
The Psychology of Bariatric Surgery: What Happens After Surgery? With Dr Lynne Johnston (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this conversation with Dr Lynne Johnston, we move into the realities of life around and after bariatric surgery - including long-term support, family systems, preparation for surgery, and the wider psychological and social factors that influence outcomes. In this episode, we discuss: What happens when food has been a primary coping strategy Transfer of coping behaviours after surgery Family dynamics, support systems, and relationship changes Preparing psychologically for bariatric surgery Self-monitoring vs food diaries Movement, physical activity, and rebuilding trust with the body Sleep, sleep apnoea, and CPAP adherence Health tourism and accessing surgery abroad Why wraparound care matters before and after surgery Guest: Dr Lynne Johnston is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS and in private practice, specialising in health psychology, bariatric care, obesity, and supporting people before and after life-changing surgery. If you have any enquiries or wish to contact Lynne, please don’t hesitate to reach out using the links below - www.halleyjohnstonassociates.co.uk enquiries@halleyjohnstonassociates.co.uk Connect / Learn more: Follow Aoife McMahon on Instagram: @thatirishdietitian Work with me: centreforliberatingnutrition.com
S1 · E5
Jun 23, 2026
39:48
The Psychology of Bariatric Surgery: What Really Happens in Assessment with Dr. Lynne Johnston (Part 1) 
In Part 1 of this conversation with Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Lynne Johnston, we explore the psychological side of bariatric care and the factors that often sit underneath eating, body image, and weight-related struggles. In this episode, we discuss: The role of psychology in bariatric assessment and support Why bariatric psychology is not simply a “gatekeeping” process Relationship with food, coping, and emotional eating Food as a coping strategy or “crutch” Guest: Dr Lynne Johnston is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist working in the NHS and in private practice, specialising in health psychology, bariatric care, obesity, and supporting people before and after life-changing surgery. If you have any enquiries or wish to contact Lynne, please don’t hesitate to reach out using the links below - www.halleyjohnstonassociates.co.uk enquiries@halleyjohnstonassociates.co.uk Connect / Learn more: Follow Aoife McMahon on Instagram: @thatirishdietitian Work with me UK/Ireland: centreforliberatingnutrition.com
S1 · E4
Jun 16, 2026
39:47
Before, During and After Surgery: With GLP-1s in between
In this Lived Experience episode, Danni gives a wonderfully nuanced account of her story regarding weight, GLP-1 medications, bariatric surgery, fertility, and what all of that can actually look like when you’re living through it, rather than reading about it. Danni shares her experience of using GLP-1 medications before bariatric surgery, going through surgery itself, and then returning to GLP-1s again afterwards in the context of fertility care. Along the way, we talk about hunger, food noise, binge eating, body image, and the parts of this journey that don’t tend to get simplified into a neat 'did it work or didn’t it' answer. Because it’s rarely that simple. If you’re curious about these interventions — or you’ve had your own experience with them, I think there’s something really valuable in hearing this one in full. We talk about: Living with PCOS and fertility challenges GLP-1 medications (before, during, and after bariatric surgery) Hunger, food noise, and appetite changes Binge eating and relationship with food Bariatric surgery and expectations vs reality Weight loss, weight regain, and what sits in between Fertility treatment and BMI thresholds Body image and the weight of other people’s comments Making sense of health decisions in real life, not theory
S1 · E3
Jun 9, 2026
1:03:37
When Food Doesn’t Get Easier: Eating Disorders, Bariatrics & GLP-1s with Rhian Houghton, RD
In this clinician-focused episode of Inside Bariatrics, Aoife is joined by Rhian Houghton, Registered Dietitian, to explore the often-overlooked intersection between bariatric care, eating disorders, disordered eating, and GLP-1 medications. Together, they discuss how relationship with food can become more complex before and after bariatric surgery, why eating disorders can go under-recognised in bariatric settings, and the importance of trauma-informed, collaborative, and permission-based approaches to care. This episode may be particularly relevant for bariatric clinicians, dietitians, psychologists, and healthcare professionals working across weight management, obesity, GLP-1, and eating disorder services - though anyone interested in these topics is welcome to listen. In this episode, we discuss: The overlap between bariatric surgery, disordered eating, and eating disorders Why binge eating and loss of control eating can persist, change, or re-emerge after surgery Restriction, emotional eating, and relationship with food before and after bariatric surgery How eating disorders can go unnoticed in bariatric and weight management settings Using motivational interviewing and permission-based conversations in practice Trauma-informed care in dietetic and bariatric settings Challenges referring between bariatric and eating disorder services The growing intersection between GLP-1 medications and eating behaviour support Why clinician supervision matters in complex nutrition and behaviour change work Resources mentioned Intuitive Eating — Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness — Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness by Dawn Clifford and Laura Curtis Eating disorder training by Marci Evans Connect / Training Aoife and Rhian offer clinician training for NHS, HSE, and private practice teams on: Eating Disorders in the context of Bariatric Surgery and GLP-1 Medications For training enquiries, please get in touch directly: Contact
S1 · E2
Jun 2, 2026
53:22
More than just Another Bariatric Podcast
Welcome to the very first episode of Inside Bariatrics. In this opening episode, Aoife McMahon shares why this podcast exists and explores something that often gets missed in conversations about bariatric surgery: the reality that life after surgery is about more than weight loss alone. Through the story of “Sinead,” we look at the broad spectrum of bariatric outcomes—from physical and medical changes to emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence, and day-to-day life. Because bariatric surgery is never just about the number on the scale. Whether you’re considering surgery, living with it, working in this field, or supporting someone who is, you’re very welcome here. In this episode: • Why Inside Bariatrics was created • The gap in current bariatric conversations • The physical, emotional and social impact of surgery • Three different post-surgery scenarios • Why informed choice and compassionate support matter If you'd like support exploring any of the themes discussed in this episode, you’re welcome to visit www.centreforliberatingnutrition.com for virtual one-to-one support and professional training available in the UK and Ireland, or come say hello on Instagram @thatirishdietitian. You deserve care that sees your whole self - not just your weight.
S1 · E1
May 27, 2026
30:14