Obesity is a chronic, lifelong disease, not a failure of willpower. In this episode of the BariNation Foundation Podcast, April Williams sits down with bariatric surgeon Dr. Monique Hassan and BariNation community member Jasmine Fernandez to challenge the idea that one tool can treat obesity. They discuss the full range of surgical options: surgery, GLP-1s, mindset, movement, community, self-advocacy, and overcoming shame while treating obesity as a chronic, lifelong disease. If you've ever felt shame about needing more than one treatment, this conversation offers permission to stop apologizing and start healing.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- 00:00 Bariatric surgeon Dr. Hassan shares her magic wand question for setting real weight loss goals
- 04:07 Why one thing is not enough to treat obesity
- 05:20 Meet Dr. Monique Hassan, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and Jasmine Fernandez, longtime BariNation member and gastric bypass patient
- 08:09 Why willpower alone never cures the chronic disease of obesity
- 10:47 Jasmine's winding path to gastric bypass surgery in 2021
- 14:54 Naming the inner critic and staying accountable after surgery
- 18:37 Walking through goals with your doctor and advocating for yourself
- 31:00 The “fight” and journey of obesity
- 43:42 Selecting the right tool for you to fight obesity
- 45:41 The car analogy: sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and duodenal switch compared
- 56:48 How to find a comprehensive bariatric surgery provider near you
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Obesity is a chronic, lifelong disease, so bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medication, and mindset work have to work together, not against each other.
- A good bariatric surgeon asks about your real-life goals before ever discussing a treatment plan.
- Naming your inner critic takes away its power and makes it easier to catch emotional eating before it starts.
- Progress over perfection matters more than any number on the scale, especially in long-term obesity treatment.
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BIOGRAPHY:
Monique Hassan, MD, is a bariatric and metabolic surgeon who serves as the Division Director of Bariatric and General Surgery and Director of Obesity Medicine at Baylor Scott & White – Temple, and is an Associate Professor of Surgery in the Department of Surgery at The Baylor College of Medicine - Temple Campus.
Dr. Monique Hassan - Instagram
Jasmine Fernandez is a wife, mom of two, operations and logistics leader, and someone who completely transformed her health. Her journey hasn’t been about chasing perfection; it’s been about choosing herself every day. Through gastric bypass surgery, lifestyle changes, therapy, and perseverance, she discovered that lasting change comes from consistency, not quick fixes. “I hope that by sharing my story honestly, I can encourage others to believe that no matter where they start, a healthier and happier life is possible.”