We spend so much time looking for the "right way" to do bariatric surgery — the right surgery, the right diet, the right rules. But after talking to so many people on this podcast, I've realized something: there probably isn't one right way.

Cory Padarathsingh is back for Part 2, and we're getting into his full research process — how he chose the sleeve, why Facebook groups told him more than his surgeon consultations did, and the moment daily life (literally just getting the mail) told him it was time. We also talk about grieving food, the friendships that didn't survive the journey, and why "everyone can't be right" when it comes to what your body needs.

If you've ever felt like you were doing this wrong because your journey didn't look like someone else's — this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• Researching surgeons, surgeries, and sorting through conflicting advice
• Why Facebook groups can tell you more than consultations
• Choosing the sleeve vs. the bypass
• The daily-life moment that made surgery undeniable
• Grieving food, lost friendships, and old habits
• Building a real relationship with a nutritionist post-op
• Why there's no single "right way" to do this journey

Timestamps:
00:00 Bariatric Intro — There's No One Right Way
01:21 Bariatric Research — Facebook Groups vs. Surgeon Consultations
07:12 Bariatric Surgery Choice — Sleeve vs. Bypass
09:16 Bariatric Daily Life — The Moment Surgery Became Necessary
10:10 Bariatric Food Grief — Losing Friends and Old Habits
17:34 Bariatric Nutritionist Relationship — Year-Long Support
20:46 Bariatric Vitamins — Why Skipping Them Is Dangerous
28:14 My Journey, My Business — Cory's Honest Take

Connect with Cory:
🔗 All links: https://linktr.ee/sleevedwithcory
📖 His Bariatric Journal: https://a.co/d/0dlvK7AW
🎙️ His Podcast — Heavy Topics & Lighter Lives: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEcKWufK7CdoiAOXwJiLCg
📱 Social: @sleevedwithcory

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
👉 https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

Ever wonder what really happens after you lose 100+ pounds? The attention changes. The dating changes. And the fear of gaining it all back? That gets LOUDER.

This week I'm joined by Cory Padarathsingh, who lost 162 pounds and is giving us something we rarely hear in this space — the male perspective. We're talking pretty privilege, the DM flood, dating when you're still a "big guy at heart," and why the surgery changes your stomach but NOT your brain.

If you've ever questioned someone's motives after your transformation, mourned your relationship with food, or lie awake scared of regaining — this episode is for you.

What we cover:

• How people treat you differently after major weight loss
• Pretty privilege — and why it's uncomfortable at first
• Dating standards, confidence, and finding someone who gets the lifestyle
• Why food triggers don't disappear after surgery
• The fear of regain and how to manage it mentally
• Emotional eating, binge patterns, and building real discipline

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro — Losing 162 Pounds
01:23 Bariatric Dating — Being Treated Differently
03:38 Bariatric Weight Loss & Pretty Privilege
07:45 Bariatric Dating Standards & Finding a Partner
12:31 Bariatric Food Triggers — When Love Looks Like Cookies
14:45 The Bariatric Mental Battle — Stomach, Not Brain
21:19 Bariatric Discipline & Binge-Eating Triggers
25:18 Bariatric Fear of Regain & the Scale

Connect with Cory:
All links: https://linktr.ee/sleevedwithcory
His Bariatric Journal: https://a.co/d/0dlvK7AW

His Podcast — Heavy Topics & Lighter Lives: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcEcKWufK7CdoiAOXwJiLCg
Social: @sleevedwithcory

Join the Parallel Paths membership community:
https://www.bariatricpaths.com/parallel-paths

Subscribe so you never miss a Tuesday episode.

You did the surgery. But what about your marriage, your mental health, and the patterns you brought with you?

In Part 2, licensed therapist and bariatric patient Danielle Palermo, LMSW joins Jatoyia Armour to get real about the work that makes bariatric surgery actually stick — accountability, support systems, GLP-1 as a tool, marriage after surgery, addiction transfer, depression after weight loss, and why the mental health piece is the one nobody prepares you for.

This episode covers: how to stop self-sabotage, what real accountability looks like post-op, why your support network matters more than any coping skill, GLP-1 after bariatric surgery, the real reason bariatric divorce rates are high, and why insurance is failing bariatric patients on mental health coverage.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but still falling apart — this episode is for you.

Connect with Danielle: Instagram @daniellepalermo.lmsw Subscribe to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1797899095 Join the Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/595270663220246 Visit the Website: https://www.BariatricPaths.com

00:00 How to get unstuck after bariatric surgery

01:14 Identity — are you doing this for you or for others?

03:12 Acceptance, self-awareness, and breaking old patterns

04:01 What real accountability looks like post-op

05:22 Coping tools that actually work long-term

06:20 Why your support network matters more than coping skills

08:09 Bringing your family and partner into your new routine

09:24 Working out with an accountability partner (real talk)

10:25 GLP-1 after bariatric surgery — it's just another tool

11:21 Why the mental work matters even more on GLP-1

12:36 Why mental health is deprioritized in bariatric programs

13:02 The psych eval that doesn't actually prepare you

14:06 What should change in bariatric pre-op and post-op care

15:39 Insurance gaps — mental health and GLP-1 coverage

16:30 How bariatric surgery can trigger depression

17:08 Bariatric surgery and divorce — the real conversation

19:06 How to recalibrate your marriage after massive weight loss

20:20 Starting therapy and marriage counseling at the same time

21:37 Embracing your new body — loose skin, crop tops, and confidence

22:16 Why weight can't be your only measure of success

23:59 How to find and work with Danielle Palermo

24:24 My Journey, My Business: Danielle's moment of truth