Lora Grabow, LMSW
Bariatric therapist
For more than two decades, Lora has helped bariatric patients build the Headwork tools needed to find and maintain personal wellness.
Join Our Community
You don’t have to do this alone.
Obesity thrives in isolation. Fight back with expert guidance, honest connection, and a kind community that understands what the work really takes.
You were told what to do.We teach you how to do it.
Safe & privateMember-only conversations
Expert-ledLicensed and credentialed guides
Patient-poweredBuilt by people who get it
Support that fitsLive and on demand
Connection matters
This is not social media. This is a place to be known, supported, and reminded that change is possible.
Your bariatric home, wherever you are.
BariNation brings live support, practical education, and real peer connection into one safe online community. Come with the hard question, the small win, the setback you did not expect, or the story only another patient could understand.
You choose what you need and when you need it. Join a live group from home, catch a class later, or check in with people at the same stage of the journey.
Meet our experts and peer hosts
Credentialed care. Human delivery.
Meet the experts and peer hosts who lead support in BariNation. Our community brings together people with deep bariatric experience who contribute to the conversations, classes, and support available throughout BariNation.
Sarah Smith, MHR, LADC, ICAADC, MCAP, CBHCMS-A/C
Trauma & addiction therapist
A licensed alcohol and drug counselor with more than 15 years of experience supporting adults and children through complex challenges.
Katie Booker, LCSW, RPT™️
Therapist
A certified trauma therapist who brings her lived patient experience into her expert role to deliver targeted support for people in every stage.
Kristie DiLaura, LMSW
Therapist
Kristie brings her 20+ years of clinical obesity experience to her Reclaim and Rebuild Support Group, where she compassionately helps people navigate weight recurrence (aka regain) at every stage of the journey.
Melanie Lindell, LMHC
Therapist
Melanie brings her lived patient experience and trauma counseling expertise to lead our Complications Support Group and the Commitment Meetup, where she helps members reconnect with hope and focus on what they can control.
Monique Coleman, CFI
Fitness Professional
A certified fitness professional helping people build healthier lives through accessible movement, mindfulness, motivation, and a holistic approach to wellbeing.
Jeannie Boyer, RD, CSOWM
Registered dietitian
A certified specialist in obesity and weight management with more than 15 years of experience working with bariatric patients.
Stephanie Mitchell
Professional Chef
A chef and bariatric patient who combines extensive culinary expertise with firsthand experience of losing over 100 pounds after VSG surgery.
Jason Smith
Community Advocate, Podcast and Community Host
A founding partner of BariNation, Jason creates safe places in the community to learn how to live our motto, Space and Grace.
Natalie Tierney
Community Advocate, Podcast and Community Host
As a Founder of BariNation, Natalie taps into her educational background to create fun and engaging learning experiences on the BariNation Podcast and in her meetups- Set It Up Sunday and Beginner Bariatrics.
Christine Mason
Podcast Strategist, Host
As the BariNation Podcast Strategist, she manages all aspects of the show, ensuring we answer the questions people are asking with humor, humility, and honesty. As a Host, she brings her love of conversation to life in her Mid-Week Meetups.
Herb Lentz
Peer Host
A long-time member, Herb brings people together in his meetups and game nights to spark joy, invite laughter, and spread kindness.
Karen Tourangeau
Peer host
Karen brings her extensive RN training into her communitu events designed to support people in mid-life and beyond.
Tawnya Bacchetti
Peer host
Tawnya leads our Proffee and Progress meetup, a fun, connected space where people share their goals and plan how to achieve them.
Included in your membership
More ways to feel supported.
Unlimited access to virtual, app-based community support, with room to learn, connect, practice, and keep going.
Targeted support groups
Talk through real challenges with licensed therapists who specialize in bariatric care. Groups are never recorded, so the space and discussions stays with the people in it.
Live · confidential · welcomingExpert-led classes
Learn from registered dietitians, mental health professionals, movement specialists, and other credentialed teachers.
Practical · evidence-based · engagingPeer meetups
Connect, unwind, and have a little fun with trained peer moderators and people who understand life before and after surgery.
Human · fun · realOn-demand LiBari
Revisit recorded classes, movement sessions, recipes, and practical tools organized around movement, mindset, and metabolic wellness.
Searchable · available 24/7Private conversations
Ask questions, celebrate victories, and share honestly in monitored feeds and focused spaces, away from trolls and prying eyes.
No shame · no judgmentAccountability that adapts
Stay focused with check-ins, challenges, and groups that evolve with what members need right now.
Flexible · encouragingSupport on your terms
Show up in the way that works today.
Some days call for a conversation. Some call for answers. Some call for quietly knowing your people are close.
Explore the community (opens in a new tab)Check in with your people
Share a win, ask a question, or find someone who has been there.
Join something live
Choose a support group, class, meetup, or community challenge.
Learn at your own pace
Search the on-demand library for support that meets the moment.
Who should join?
Every age. Every stage. Every human.
Whether you are considering bariatric surgery, getting ready, newly post-op, navigating maintenance, or reconnecting years later, you belong here.
Considering surgeryPre-opNewly post-opMaintenanceReconnecting
Your people are here
Find your bariatric home.
Get the support you need, when and where you need it, from experts and peers who understand the work.