Weight recurrence after bariatric surgery or GLP-1 treatment isn't a personal failure, it's often a natural part of treating the chronic disease of obesity. In this episode of the BariNation Foundation Podcast, April welcomes bariatric surgeon and obesity medicine specialist Dr. Saniea Majid to discuss her groundbreaking research on weight recurrence, why the medical community is moving away from the term "weight regain," and how ongoing, individualized care can improve long-term outcomes. Together, they explore the importance of eliminating shame, redefining success beyond the number on the scale, staying connected with your clinical care team, and empowering patients with practical strategies to navigate obesity treatment for life.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- 00:00 Dr. Saniea Majid discusses weight recurrence after treatment and her research regarding standardizing terminology and data sets
- 04:42 Why patients avoid follow-up care after bariatric surgery
- 10:01 The wide range of reported weight recurrence after bariatric surgery rates
- 15:18 Health benefits that remain even with weight recurrence
- 24:19 The importance of follow-up care
- 29:15 Why the word failure is banned in modern obesity care
- 34:44 Recommended definitions for partial response and non-response
- 45:08 Advice for a listener stuck at limited weight loss two years later
- 50:32 Dr. Majid answers rapid fire questions related to obesity
- 01:00:57 Final thoughts on seeking the right team for lifelong care
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Weight recurrence signals the chronic nature of obesity and calls for more treatment, not self-blame
- Regular follow-up care with the right multidisciplinary team is the strongest tool against progression
- Revisional surgery and GLP-1 medications are part of continuum care, not last resorts
- Patients retain meaningful health gains even when some weight returns
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Proposed Definitions and Clinical Recommendations for the Management of Weight Recurrence Following Bariatric Surgery
BIOGRAPHY:
Medical Director of the Weight Loss and Wellness Center in northern New Jersey. She has built multiple accredited metabolic and bariatric programs and was the first surgeon in the state to perform the SPATZ adjustable gastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty.
A national leader in the field, she just completed a 2 year term of the ASMBS Foundation TREO (Treatment, Research and Education to End Obesity), sits on the ASMBS Board of Directors, and is committed to comprehensive, compassionate care for patients of all ages, including adolescents.