Together, they discuss how relationship with food can become more complex before and after bariatric surgery, why eating disorders can go under-recognised in bariatric settings, and the importance of trauma-informed, collaborative, and permission-based approaches to care.

This episode may be particularly relevant for bariatric clinicians, dietitians, psychologists, and healthcare professionals working across weight management, obesity, GLP-1, and eating disorder services - though anyone interested in these topics is welcome to listen.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The overlap between bariatric surgery, disordered eating, and eating disorders
• Why binge eating and loss of control eating can persist, change, or re-emerge after surgery
• Restriction, emotional eating, and relationship with food before and after bariatric surgery
• How eating disorders can go unnoticed in bariatric and weight management settings
• Using motivational interviewing and permission-based conversations in practice
• Trauma-informed care in dietetic and bariatric settings
• Challenges referring between bariatric and eating disorder services
• The growing intersection between GLP-1 medications and eating behaviour support
• Why clinician supervision matters in complex nutrition and behaviour change work

Resources mentioned

• Intuitive Eating — Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
• Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness — Motivational Interviewing in Nutrition and Fitness by Dawn Clifford and Laura Curtis
• Eating disorder training by Marci Evans

Connect / Training

Aoife and Rhian offer clinician training for NHS, HSE, and private practice teams on:

Eating Disorders in the context of Bariatric Surgery and GLP-1 Medications

For training enquiries, please get in touch directly: Contact

In this opening episode, Aoife McMahon shares why this podcast exists and explores something that often gets missed in conversations about bariatric surgery: the reality that life after surgery is about more than weight loss alone.

Through the story of “Sinead,” we look at the broad spectrum of bariatric outcomes—from physical and medical changes to emotional wellbeing, relationships, confidence, and day-to-day life.

Because bariatric surgery is never just about the number on the scale.

Whether you’re considering surgery, living with it, working in this field, or supporting someone who is, you’re very welcome here.

In this episode:

• Why Inside Bariatrics was created

• The gap in current bariatric conversations

• The physical, emotional and social impact of surgery

• Three different post-surgery scenarios

• Why informed choice and compassionate support matter

If you'd like support exploring any of the themes discussed in this episode, you’re welcome to visit www.centreforliberatingnutrition.com for virtual one-to-one support and professional training available in the UK and Ireland, or come say hello on Instagram @thatirishdietitian.

You deserve care that sees your whole self - not just your weight.