Dedicated Advocate for Bariatric Patients Facing Surgery – Interview with Stephanie Palmer
- Sep 3, 2025
- 7 min read
Stephanie Palmer is a leader in Bariatrics, Plastics, Spine, Neuro, Chronic Illness, and more when it comes to patient support, guidance, advocacy, and private duty skilled nursing in compact states, both virtual and in person. She holds awards for: Bariatric Warrior, Revision Journey, & Bariatric Advocate of the Year. As a bariatric patient herself who has overcome so much on her own journey, she navigates through post op complications and chronic illness. She knows firsthand the importance of having someone in your corner. As the Founder of Bariatric Warrior Support & Founder/Co-Host of Bariatric Warrior Podcast, she has dedicated her life/ mission to helping others and creating a safe space where everyone is seen, heard, and not alone.
Stephanie Palmer, Registered Nurse, Patient Advocate, & Podcaster
Can you share what inspired you to launch Bariatric Warrior Support and how your personal journey shaped your mission?
What inspired me to create Bariatric Warrior Support was my own deeply personal experience navigating the ups and downs of bariatric surgery. After my initial procedure, I faced a series of unexpected complications and setbacks that left me feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and at times, completely alone. The emotional toll was just as significant as the physical, and I quickly realized that so many others were quietly struggling with similar challenges without the guidance or support they needed.
As a nurse, I was already committed to helping others, but living through my own journey made me see just how many gaps exist in care, advocacy, and emotional support for bariatric patients. I knew I wanted to do more than simply share my story; I wanted to create a safe space and hands-on resource where others could find understanding, encouragement, and real-life help. Bariatric Warrior Support was born from the belief that no one should have to walk this road in silence. My goal has always been to turn my pain into purpose, using both my medical knowledge and lived experience to lift others up and create a true community of warriors who know they are never, ever alone.
As a multi-state registered nurse and patient, how do you balance professional expertise with empathy when supporting others post-bariatric surgery?
Balancing professional expertise with empathy is at the heart of how I support others after bariatric surgery. As a multi-state registered nurse, I bring clinical knowledge, experience with complex cases, and an understanding of best medical practices to every conversation. But I also know, through my own journey as a patient, how vulnerable, scared, or even overwhelmed someone can feel, especially after complications or during recovery.
My approach combines evidence-based education and practical guidance with heartfelt listening, encouragement, and genuine understanding. I always remind myself that behind every lab value or surgical report is a person with unique hopes, fears, and challenges. By sharing both my medical expertise and my personal story, I’m able to offer advice that’s not only accurate but also compassionate and relatable. My goal is always to help people feel safe, empowered, and truly care.
What are some of the most common challenges bariatric patients face that you help them navigate, and how do your services address those?
Some of the most common challenges bariatric patients face and where my support makes a real impact, include feelings of isolation, dealing with unexpected complications, facing insurance or healthcare barriers, managing nutrition and lifestyle changes, and coping with mental health struggles like anxiety or shame. Many patients also struggle to find practical guidance and advocacy, especially when navigating follow-up care or additional procedures like skin removal.
Through Bariatric Warrior Support, I address these challenges with a comprehensive, personalized approach. I provide 1-on-1 guidance to answer questions and offer evidence-based advice, patient advocacy to help clients communicate with medical teams and fight for the care they deserve, and emotional support to help break feelings of loneliness or fear. By drawing on both my nursing background and lived experience, I offer real-world solutions, resource referrals, and a compassionate listening ear. My goal is to ensure each person feels seen, heard, and equipped with the tools they need to confidently move forward on their journey, no matter what challenges arise.
Bariatric Warrior Support Services provides a unique blend of expert guidance, personalized advocacy, and compassionate care for anyone on a bariatric, plastic, and health journey. As a multi-state registered nurse and bariatric survivor, these services are designed to walk with you every step of the way, offering what most traditional care teams don’t.
Services include:
1-on-1 Personalized Support: Private coaching sessions to answer questions, provide emotional support, and help you navigate the ups and downs before and after surgery.
Pre- and Post-Op Nursing Care in Compact States, both Virtual and in-person: Professional nursing care tailored to your needs, whether it’s preparing you for surgery, supporting your recovery, managing complications, or coordinating with your medical team.
Patient Advocacy: Assistance in communicating with doctors, understanding medical options, dealing with insurance, and ensuring you get the care you deserve during all phases of your bariatric journey.
Support Groups & Workshops: Safe, welcoming spaces (both in-person and virtual) to connect with others, learn from experts, and share experiences in a nonjudgmental environment.
Resource Referrals: Access to trusted dietitians, therapists, surgeons, skin removal specialists, and more, so you never have to search for support alone.
Emotional & Mindset Coaching: Guidance to help you build confidence, set realistic goals, and maintain motivation because lasting change starts from within.
Private Duty Nursing: For those needing hands-on care at home, we provide compassionate, skilled nursing for pre- and post-op recovery, medication management, wound care, and more.
Bariatric Warrior Support is dedicated to breaking the stigma surrounding bariatric surgery and providing whole-person care, meeting you with expertise, empathy, and understanding wherever you are on your journey.
How did sharing the 'good, the bad, and the ugly' aspects of your journey, especially complications, impact both your healing journey and the community you support?
Sharing the “good, the bad, and the ugly” parts of my bariatric journey, especially the complications, has been transformative for both my own healing and for the community I support. Being open about struggles, rather than just the successes, helped me process what I went through, break free from feelings of shame, and find acceptance in my own story. It allowed me to truly heal, both emotionally and physically, because I wasn’t hiding or pretending everything was perfect.
For the community, being transparent has made a huge difference. So many people have reached out saying that hearing the realities of complications, setbacks, and tough moments made them feel seen and understood, sometimes for the first time. It’s helped normalize the idea that difficulties are a part of the journey, not a failure, and opened the door for more honest conversations around recovery, mental health, and asking for help. By sharing everything, I’ve been able to foster a sense of trust, show that no one is alone, and encourage others to speak up and seek support without fear or shame.
Can you tell us more about your Bariatric Warrior Podcast, how it began, who you co-host with, and what listeners can expect from it?
The Bariatric Warrior Podcast began as a way for us to reach out and give a voice to those navigating the challenges of bariatric surgery, plastic surgery, chronic illness, and life after it. After going through my own rollercoaster journey, full of complications, moments of doubt, and ultimately, growth, I realized how much power there is in sharing our real, unfiltered stories. I wanted to create a space for honest conversations, expert insights, and personal victories, where listeners could feel understood and less alone.
With each episode, the podcast has become a supportive corner of the bariatric community, featuring inspiring guests, practical advice, and open discussions about everything from surgery prep to mental health and advocacy. What started as a simple way to connect and break the silence has grown into a movement of empowerment and education, giving bariatric warriors.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and plans for expanding Bariatric Warrior Support, such as new services, outreach, or collaborations?
The future of Bariatric Warrior Support is all about breaking down stigmas, building understanding, and making sure that no one, regardless of where they are in their journey, ever feels alone. My mission remains to reach even just one person at a time, knowing that a single life touched with support and understanding can spark a ripple of hope in our community.
As Bariatric Warrior Support continues to grow, I dream of launching a foundation dedicated to paying it forward for those facing financial barriers on their bariatric journey. Far too many people are ready to reclaim their health with bariatric surgery, but are held back by the cost. Others face medical complications or need vital follow-up care, such as skin removal surgery that insurance often doesn’t cover. That’s where the future foundation comes in.
My vision is to create a resource that offers direct support and funding to those in need. The foundation will help people seeking bariatric surgery but unable to afford it, provide financial assistance for those facing complications and medical bills, and even support individuals who need skin removal surgery to fully embrace their transformation, both physically and emotionally.
By rallying our community and working with donors, medical professionals, and other organizations, I hope to ensure that no one is left behind because of financial hardships. Together, we can create real change, so every bariatric warrior has the chance to thrive, heal, and pay it forward for the next person in line. This is about turning compassion into action and making hope accessible to all who need it most.
Looking ahead, I’m committed to providing comprehensive care for those undergoing bariatric surgery, skin removal, or any related procedures, offering guidance, advocacy, and emotional support both before and after surgery. Whether it’s preparing for an operation, navigating complications, or adjusting to life afterward, Bariatric Warrior Support aims to fill the gaps in care with true empathy, lived experience, and expert insight. My vision is to create a network where every bariatric patient feels seen, supported, and empowered to embrace their new life, free from shame, judgment, or isolation.
By sharing stories, providing hands-on resources, and fostering real connections, I hope to keep breaking down barriers, one warrior at a time.
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