Planning Plastic Surgery? Watch This FIRST to Avoid Regrets! Epi 311

Explicit content warning

05/13/25 • 81 min

Thinking about plastic surgery after weight loss? Wondering if you're mentally ready for the change?
In this powerful episode of Bari Connected, host Mel sits down with Dr. Ashley Steinberg, a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon from Houston, to dive into everything you NEED to know before going under the knife post-bariatric surgery.

👩‍⚕️ Dr. Steinberg shares personal insights from 14+ years in the OR—and her own experiences with plastic surgery, mental health, and how to truly support patients beyond the operating table.

💬 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

💡 The Truth About Plastic Surgery Results – Why it's not instant and what realistic healing timelines look like

🧠 Mental Health & Body Image After Weight Loss – Navigating "phantom body" syndrome & post-op depression

📆 Guidelines for Bariatric Patients Seeking Plastic Surgery – From stable weight goals to protein intake

💉 Common Surgical Risks & Red Flags to Avoid

💬 Why Communication With Your Surgeon is Everything

💪 Nutrition Tips for Better Healing – Complete proteins, hydration, and her favorite travel-friendly snacks!

🛑 Debunking Myths – High-def lipo, BBL regrets, facial implants, and more

Whether you're planning a mommy makeover, tummy tuck, liposuction, or just researching your options, this episode is packed with real talk, medical facts, and laughs along the way.

🎙️ Featured Guest:

Dr. Ashley Steinberg, MD
📍 Houston-based Plastic Surgeon
🩺 Board-Certified in General & Plastic Surgery
📱 Find her on Instagram: @dr.ashleysteinberg
🌐 Website: www.drsteinberg.com

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We’ve got laughs, deep talks, early drops, and all the tea ☕. What are you waiting for?

💬 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

💡 The Truth About Plastic Surgery Results – Why it's not instant and what realistic healing timelines look like

🧠 Mental Health & Body Image After Weight Loss – Navigating "phantom body" syndrome & post-op depression

📆 Guidelines for Bariatric Patients Seeking Plastic Surgery – From stable weight goals to protein intake

💉 Common Surgical Risks & Red Flags to Avoid

💬 Why Communication With Your Surgeon is Everything

💪 Nutrition Tips for Better Healing – Complete proteins, hydration, and her favorite travel-friendly snacks!

🛑 Debunking Myths – High-def lipo, BBL regrets, facial implants, and more

🎙️ Featured Guest:

Dr. Ashley Steinberg, MD
📍 Houston-based Plastic Surgeon
🩺 Board-Certified in General & Plastic Surgery
📱 Find her on Instagram: @dr.ashleysteinberg
🌐 Website: www.drsteinberg.com

Previous Episode

Everyone Talks About Weight Loss—But Not THIS Part of the Journey

Bariatric regain is real—and it's time we talk about it. In this raw and relatable episode of the Our Sleeved Life Podcast, Mel sits down with a bariatric therapist Ashlyn Douglass Barnes to unpack the emotional rollercoaster that follows weight loss surgery (WLS).

🎙️ Whether you're struggling with regain, processing change after surgery, or dealing with grief and food addiction, this episode is your safe space to feel seen, supported, and informed. We discuss:

How Mel lost 53 lbs again after a regain

The power (and pain) of GLP-1 meds like Ozempic & Wegovy & Mounjaro

Divorce, dopamine, and why food addiction isn’t what you think

Why grief shows up even after “good” changes

Therapy tools for navigating emotional eating & self-worth

💬 Plus: Tips to reconnect with your post-op “why,” how to find a bariatric therapist, and the link between trauma, family systems, and healing.

📌 Helpful Links:
🧠 Therapist Directory: FindABariatricTherapist.com
📸 Follow Mel: @melunfiltered.vsg
🧰 Download your FREE Swag & Resources: JBY Swag Bag

🛑 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT & SUBSCRIBE for more mental health & WLS insights!

Next Episode

From 285lbs to a Confident Queen Staci Renee Epi 312

She kept her weight loss surgery a secret—even from her kids. Now she's down 140 lbs and living life on her terms. In this powerful new episode of Our Sleeved Life Podcast, co-host Mel (@melunfiltered.vsg) sits down with Staci Renee (@stacirenee82)—a hilarious, fierce, and inspiring single mom of 3 from Kentucky who shares her raw and real VSG transformation story. 💬

🎙️ Our Sleeved Life Podcast is your go-to space for authentic conversations about bariatric surgery, self-worth, mental health, and life after weight loss. With episodes that spotlight real people and their journeys, this show is about empowering the weight loss surgery community—one voice at a time.

💥 In this episode, Staci opens up about:

Why she chose vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) after years of being denied coverage

Navigating motherhood and nursing school while recovering from surgery

Her experience with the 6-week post-op recovery, liquid diet, gas pain, and fear of complications

The unexpected emotional challenges of losing 140+ pounds, body image shifts, and “pretty privilege”

The truth about friendships that faded and the drama of dating over 40

Building community and confidence through TikTok and the Just Be You Bariatric Awards (JBY)

How she balances bariatric nutrition, uses protein water hacks, and stays strong without carbonation

💖 Whether you’re researching bariatric surgery, struggling to feel seen in your journey, or just need a boost of realness—you’ll walk away feeling inspired, empowered, and not alone.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

Is VSG worth it? Honest reflections 3 years post-op

How to get your insurance to cover weight loss surgery

Bariatric surgery recovery tips (real talk from a nurse & mom)

Coping with identity shifts after major weight loss

The link between mental health and weight loss

How TikTok VSG creators are reshaping bariatric visibility

Tips for thriving in a supportive bariatric community

📲 Follow Staci on TikTok for sassy, real-life VSG content: @stacirenee82
💬 Follow Mel for daily bariatric motivation: @melunfiltered.vsg
🎧 Subscribe to Our Sleeved Life Podcast for new weekly episodes that celebrate real people with real journeys.

👉 Like, Comment & Subscribe if you loved Staci’s story or relate to this journey.

#VSGJourney #BariatricSurgerySupport #OurSleevedLifePodcast #WeightLossTransformation #SingleMomWeightLoss #TikTokVSG #JBYAwards #VSGRecovery #BariatricCommunity #StaciRenee #LifeAfterVSG