In the latest episode of WLS Journeys, host Yvonne McCarthy talks with Shirley Mastenbrook about the many life lessons she has learned since having weight loss surgery after she reached 264 pounds. Shirley shares about how she helped her husband feel comfortable with her decision to have bariatric surgery, and talks about the sometimes comical journey of life post-op, from tossing her size 22 duds to hiding excess skin and feeling like an imposter in her new, thinner frame. She also offers insights on how to manage life’s challenges without turning to food, and maintain the daily disciplines to stay on the road to success while living in the real world. Read the full story

In the latest episode of WLS Journeys, host Yvonne McCarthy talks with Gina Robinson, a hospice nurse who once weighed 340 pounds. Although she dropped 150 pounds after weight loss surgery, went off insulin completely, and was a regular at support group meetings, Gina later regained 60 pounds and found her life was once again heading in the wrong direction.

Gina’s story of losing her way on the road to health is one ever WLS patient can identify with, and her determination to get back on track will cheer and inspire you. Click the video player below to hear Gina’s humorous take on the roller-coaster ride of post-op life, from her struggle to deal with people sabotaging her success to her own tendency to test the waters, and her renewed will to fight for lasting health and happiness. Read the full story

In the latest episode of WLS Journeys, host Yvonne McCarthy talks with long-time friend and motivational speaker Ramon Lopez about the turbulent emotions he experienced before and after weight loss surgery. Although he lost more than 270 pounds, like many post-op patients, Ramon struggled with cross-addictions before finally coming to terms with the true underlying root of his previous obesity. Click the video player below to watch Ramon share his powerful story, and learn where the journey of weight loss surgery can lead.

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Yvonne McCarthy, known by many as “Bariatric Girl”, is a public speaker, co-founder of RYD Obesity, and an active member of the WLS community. She joins the Weight Loss Surgery Channel as host of the talkshow WLS Journeys, speaking from the heart to guests who share how bariatric surgery has changed their life. Yvonne’s mission is to bring a message of hope to the millions of people who struggle with their weight, having experienced the challenges firsthand since childhood. Although merely “stocky” in her teens, Yvonne gained close to 30 pounds while in college, and another 60 pounds several years later after a bitter divorce. She continued to battle the scale for close to two decades, losing hundreds of pounds through diet and exercise, only to gain back the weight and more. When her mother died of cancer in 2000, Yvonne gave up the fight. But, the following year, she discovered new hope when she underwent Roux en-Y gastric bypass surgery and lost 130 pounds. Today, Yvonne is living the life she always envisioned. She is married to Texas radio personality Kevin McCarthy, her husband of six years and host of the Car Guy Show on WBAP News/Talk 820, and is happily pursuing her passions for animals, music and photography.

In the second episode of the informative new talk show WLS Journeys, host Yvonne McCarthy talks with Gaye Tindel, who was able to go off more than a dozen medications for various comorbidities after having weight loss surgery at age 49. Gaye shares how her life has changed–in ways expected and unexpected–since choosing to undergo weight loss surgery to treat her lifelong obesity. Click to watch Gaye share her story, and learn where the journey of weight loss surgery can lead. Read the full story

Join host Yvonne McCarthy, a.k.a., “Bariatric Girl”, as she speaks frankly with post-operative patients about life before and after weight loss surgery. As her candid interviews reveal, weight loss surgery is far from the “easy way out” in the struggle to overcome obesity. Watch the latest installment below, or click here to see all the episodes!

In the first episode of the uplifting new series WLS Journeys, host Yvonne McCarthy talks with Debra Flores, a 10 year veteran of two weight loss surgeries. After her first weight loss surgery, a vertical gastric banding procedure, Debra suffered from severe dumping syndrome which led to malnutrition. After a rigorous search for a weight loss revision surgeon, Debra had a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and achieved weight loss success. Through Debra’s inspirational story, she offers hope and words of encouragement to those in all stages of their weight loss journey. Read the full story