In BariNation YOU Belong

Joining a community can be an important element in obesity treatment for several reasons. Obesity is a complex health issue influenced by various factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and socio-cultural influences. Therefore, addressing obesity requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond individual efforts. Joining a community can provide valuable support, motivation, and resources that can significantly enhance the effectiveness of obesity treatment. Here are some reasons why joining a community is important in obesity treatment:

1. Support and Accountability

Obesity treatment can be challenging, and individuals often face obstacles and setbacks along the way. Being part of a community provides a support system of like-minded individuals who understand the struggles and can offer encouragement, empathy, and advice. This support network can help individuals stay motivated, accountable, and focused on their weight loss or management goals.

2. Education and Awareness

Communities focused on obesity treatment often provide educational resources, workshops, and seminars on nutrition, exercise, and healthy lifestyle habits. By joining such a community, individuals can gain knowledge about evidence-based strategies, learn about healthier food choices, understand portion control, and receive guidance on developing sustainable exercise routines. This education empowers individuals to make informed decisions and adopt healthier habits.

3. Behavioral Modeling

Observing others who have successfully overcome obesity or are actively working towards their goals can serve as a powerful motivator. Being part of a community exposes individuals to positive role models and success stories, which can inspire them to emulate healthy behaviors and maintain their commitment to weight loss or management. Witnessing the achievements of others reinforces the belief that change is possible and fosters a sense of optimism.

4. Peer Learning and Experiences

Joining a community allows individuals to share their personal experiences, challenges, and strategies for managing obesity. Peer learning creates a supportive environment where individuals can exchange tips, learn from each other's successes and setbacks, and provide practical advice. By hearing diverse perspectives and learning from others who have faced similar struggles, individuals can broaden their understanding of obesity and discover new strategies that may work for them.

5. Social Connection and Reduced Stigma

Obesity can often be accompanied by social stigma and isolation, which can negatively impact mental health and hinder progress in weight management. Joining a community provides an opportunity to connect with individuals who share similar experiences and challenges. This sense of belonging can reduce feelings of isolation and improve mental well-being. Having a supportive community that accepts and understands one's struggles can boost self-esteem and foster a positive mindset, which are crucial for long-term success in obesity treatment.

6. Long-term Maintenance

Obesity treatment is not just about losing weight; it also involves maintaining a healthy weight in the long run. Communities can help individuals transition from weight loss programs to weight maintenance by providing ongoing support and guidance. By staying connected to a community, individuals can sustain their healthy habits, receive continued motivation, and prevent relapse.

In summary, joining a community is an important element in obesity treatment because it provides support, accountability, education, behavioral modeling, peer learning, social connection, reduced stigma, and long-term maintenance. By being part of a community, individuals can enhance their chances of achieving and sustaining their weight loss or management goals, leading to improved overall health and well-being.

The BariNation Value

Affordability of BariNation

At $39 a month, the BariNation Online Digital Membership Community is one of the most affordable and versatile support communities available for patients. You are worth the investment!

Access to Resources

The BariNation membership community offers unparalleled access to live and on-demand resources when and where you need them. For about the cost of a single co-pay, you get unlimited access to everything in the membership community. Where else can you attend a support group led by a bariatric therapist, attend a nutritional class led by a registered dietitian, and have some fun in a peer-led meetup, all on the same day, from the comfort of your home? You get all of this, and more in the BariNation Membership Community.

Peer Support & Networking

Being part of a community allows individuals to connect and network with like-minded peers with similar interests or goals. This peer support can be invaluable regarding motivation, accountability, and shared experiences. By interacting with others in the BariNation Membership Community, you will gain new insights, learn from different perspectives, and establish meaningful connections with fellow patients. 

Expert Guidance & Support

Almost daily, you can connect with licensed credentialed experts in the bariatric field who will help guide you through your journey. They are there to help you through a struggle, celebrate a win, or encourage you to keep digging for solutions.  The expertise and support you will receive will be instrumental in finding and maintaining personal wellness.

Continuous Learning & Growth

Our community is designed to foster continuous learning and personal growth. Because you are the expert in your own patient experience, you pick the support you need, when and where you need it.  With thousands of hours of on-demand classes and content, what you need is almost always at your fingertips. And the community provides you with a safe place to not only take in new learning but practice what you are learning with kind and caring peers.

Community Engagement & Interaction

Obesity is an isolating disease that can keep us stuck. The answer to this isolation is COMMUNITY! You can participate in discussions, share ideas, and receive peer feedback as a member. This sense of belonging, connection, and social interaction will help you move through your darker days and provide the fuel you need to keep going.

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Meet Some of Our Community Members

  • Timisha Malone

    Member since 2021
    Stage: Post-op
    Surgery: RNY


    "BariNation is the referral source we need in the field. Being a Licensed Therapist and a RNY patient I utilize BariNation in both my personal and professional journey. BariNation allows for accessible and quality care that has been missing from our community until now."

  • Anna Linnell

    Member since 2022
    Stage: Post-op
    Surgery: VSG

    "After the first year after bariatric surgery I was lost. In a small rural Midwest town, I didn’t know anyone who had been through Bariatric surgery and all the changes that go with it. I was missing community. That did not come with my surgical binder! I stumbled onto BariNation while surfing the net one day and my life has been forever changed! I have found support, nutritional info, and social meetups. I have found my people. There is no where I would rather be than BariNation!"

  • Andrea Sung

    Member since 2023
    Stage: Post-op
    Surgery: VSG


    "Joined Barination before VSG surgery, felt nervous. Found support in their community, got helpful tips. Lora Grabow's cohort changed my life, taught coping strategies. Continuing membership for ongoing support in weight loss journey. Excited to explore Barination's resources."

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Included in your membership

BariNation Members enjoy unlimited access to all the community's support. There is no limit to what you can learn and do in BariNation!

Targeted Support Groups

  • Every week, licensed therapists specializing in bariatric care offer virtual support groups created to meet our specific patient needs. Struggling with emotional eating or additional transfer? Join one of the Emotional Eating Support Groups led by Lora Grabow or our Addiction Transfer Support Group hosted by Sarah Smith. Having a hard time navigating the first year post-op? Kristie DeLaura supports you in our Bariatric Beginners and Regan Support Groups.
  • Our support groups are only led by licensed therapists and are never recorded to protect member privacy. What happens in BariNation groups stays in the virtual group space. 

Insightful and Meaningful Classes

Our amazing credentialed teachers guide our members through timely and meaningful classes. We offer nutritional classes taught by registered dietitians and cooking demonstrations taught by our amazing professional chef and patient Stephanie Mitchell, Noelani Apana-Cherry and Rodolfo Alvarez can help you better understand and shift your mindset, and Leane Nagle and Alycia Ghram will guide you through movement classes that are accessible to almost everyone. Can’t make the live class? Don’t worry! Many of our classes are recorded and live in our On-Demand Video Library so you can view them later.

Fun & Interactive Meetups

Sometimes, you just want to connect with other patients who GET IT. You want to spend time understanding what it feels like to be a bariatric patient ,someone who knows what the work of WLS is all about. Our Meetups are hosted by peer-moderators, just like you, who have been trained to keep the topics interesting, meaningful, and engaging. Meetups are a great place to connect, unwind, and have a little fun and range in topics.

Robust On-Demand Video Library Access

Our On-Demand Video LiBari (our fun play on the word library) is filled with over one thousand hours of pre-recorded classes that have been taught by our experts. The LiBari  is organised by our pillars of bariatric success- movement, mindset, and metabolic wellness- so you can always find what you need, when and where you need it! And because it is on demand, the support and education is there for you no matter the day or time.

Safe & Monitored Chat Spaces

  • Many members have not shared their bariatric decisions publicly, making interacting on social media platforms challenging. Because BariNation is a private and confidential community, what members share on our feed remains in our community. No prying eyes, no trolls, no shame or judgement. Just a space for you to share your journey with others in meaningful ways. 
  • Members can post on our general, all community Share Here feed, or in dedicated chat rooms organised by stage or struggle. We even have Member-Created Groups where you can connect with link-minded bari friends for a deeper connection. 

Accountability Groups & Challenges

Accountability is a tool we can use along our journey to stay focused on our goals. Our Accountability Groups and Challenges offer members a levelled-up support experience through specific Group meetups, targeted support and classes, and a dedicated space to connect. And our Groups and Challenges flex to meet the needs of the community, so there is always something new happening in these spaces for our members!

First Access to BariNation Premium Cohorts

We know that sometimes, extra support and education is needed and that is exactly what our BariNation Premium Cohorts offer our members. Our cohorts give members access to exclusive learning opportunities, dedicated time with some of our most loved experts, and a contained opportunity for growth. These cohorts are fee based but only accessible to members to ensure privacy.

Meet Some of Our Experts

FIND YOUR COMMUNITY TODAY