When Food Is More Than Food: Grief, Chocolate & Life After Bariatric Surgery

About this episode

This episode explores the emotional complexities of food relationships after bariatric surgery.

In this deeply personal episode of Bariatric Support Australia’s The Bari Chronicles , Damien and Tash open up about the emotional relationship many people have with food after bariatric surgery. From childhood memories tied to Easter chocolate, to food noise, grief, shame, addiction, and learning what moderation really means — this is an honest conversation about the realities of life years after surgery. They discuss how surgery changes the body, but not always the emotional connections we have with food, and why psychological support, self-awareness, and self-compassion are so important on the long-term journey. This episode is raw, reflective, and filled with lived experience that many in the bariatric community will deeply relate to.

People in this episode

Hosts: Damien Verner, Tash Jarrett

Topics covered

• bariatric surgery
• emotional relationship with food
• grief
• self-compassion
• moderation
• psychological support

Keywords

• bariatric surgery
• food addiction
• emotional eating
• self-awareness
• grief
• moderation
• psychological support

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bariatric Support Australia

More episodes of The Bari Chronicles

• Dignity at Every Size · June 6, 2026 · 11 min
• We're Back — Surgery, Life & Easter on The Bari Chronicles · May 3, 2026 · 44 min
• Loose Skin Isn’t Cosmetic: The Hidden Reality After Massive Weight Loss · April 19, 2026 · 47 min
• “Reflux, Regain, and Reality: What Actually Happens After Bariatric Surgery” · April 9, 2026 · 58 min
• Reactive Hypoglycemia After Bariatric Surgery: What You Need to Know · March 22, 2026 · 51 min
• Understanding Sleeve Gastrectomy: Expectations, Realities and Complications · March 8, 2026 · 28 min