What if some of the things you were taught about obesity were simply wrong? In this episode of the BariNation Foundation Podcast, April Williams sits down with obesity medicine physician Dr. Michelle Gordon and BariNation community member Tabitha Tyler to discuss what happens when patients and providers are willing to say, “I was wrong,” and follow the science forward. They discuss the physiology of obesity, why “eat less and move more” doesn't tell the whole story, how GLP-1 medication and bariatric surgery can be powerful treatment tools, and why menopause and whole-person care belong in the conversation. They also explore the identity shift that can happen after weight loss, the role of shame and self-belief, and how community and empathy can help people move beyond the stories that have kept them stuck.

What You Will Learn in this Episode:

✅ Why obesity needs to be understood as a chronic disease rooted in physiology rather than blame, and why being willing to change your mind is an important part of following the science.

✅ How Dr. Gordon's own experience with obesity, menopause medicine, coaching, surgery and GLP-1 treatment changed the way she approaches patient care.

✅ Why bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications can be complementary tools, including how hunger and weight regain can change over time after surgery.

✅ How weight loss can create an unexpected identity shift and why changing the story you tell yourself can be an important part of long-term behavior change.

This episode of the BariNation Podcast is produced by the BariNation Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) dedicated to advancing metabolic wellness for people living with obesity by providing evidence-based education, stigma-free support, and meaningful connections in the moments that shape daily life. Funding comes from generous donations to the BariNation Foundation from listeners and viewers like you, Johnson & Johnson, and the Texas Center for Bariatrics & Advanced Surgery, led by Dr. Joe Cribbins and our newest sponsor, Lilly.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 – Dr. Michelle Gordon on obesity, weight loss and changing the story

05:28 – Why GLP-1 medication is treatment, not “cheating”

09:44 – The identity shift that can happen after weight loss

14:31 – Tabitha’s bariatric surgery journey and what changed beyond the scale

20:09 – Dr. Gordon’s evolution from surgeon to obesity medicine physician

31:28 – Why “eat less, move more” isn’t the whole story

37:22 – Finding reliable, evidence-based information about obesity treatment

43:38 – The role of empathy, community and support in the obesity journey

48:29 – GLP-1 medications, weight regain and when surgery may be the answer

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

💎 Being wrong isn't a failure. Dr. Gordon emphasizes that medicine evolves as new evidence becomes available, and patients and providers alike have to be willing to update what they believe.

💎 Obesity is a disease of physiology, not a moral failure. Treating it with medication or other evidence-based tools is treatment, not cheating.

💎 Weight loss can bring an unexpected identity shift. Changing how you see yourself and the story you tell yourself can be an important part of adapting to life after weight loss.

💎 Bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications can both be important tools in obesity treatment. Dr. Gordon discusses how treatment decisions can change over time, including the potential role of medication after bariatric surgery.

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Board certified in obesity medicine, lifestyle medicine, and general surgery. Dr. Michelle Gordon spent fifteen years in surgical practice before specializing in women's metabolic health.

https://drgordon.me/

https://www.instagram.com/doctormichellegordon/?hl=en

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

BariNation Community - $19 a month

BariNation Website

BariNation - Email

BariNation’s How to Find an Obesity Specialist Guide

4 Steps to Find an Obesity Provider

Finding Your Holistic Obesity Care Team

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