Stephanie Palmer Recognized as ASMBS Associate Member and Certified Bariatric Nurse
- Mar 17
- 4 min read
March 13, 2026 – Stephanie Palmer, founder of Bariatric Warrior Support and co-host of the Bariatric Warrior Podcast, has been recognized as an Associate Member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and has earned the designation of Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN). These achievements mark a significant milestone in Palmer’s mission to elevate the standard of care, safety, and emotional support for individuals undergoing bariatric surgery.
As a multi-state registered nurse and bariatric surgery patient herself, Palmer brings a rare blend of professional expertise and lived experience to a field that is rapidly evolving. Her ASMBS Associate Membership and CBN credential formally acknowledge her advanced knowledge and commitment to evidence-based bariatric care.
“Becoming an ASMBS Associate Member and a Certified Bariatric Nurse is not just about letters after my name,” said Stephanie Palmer. “It’s about using every bit of clinical training, professional credibility, and personal experience I have to fight for safer, more compassionate, and more comprehensive care for bariatric patients. Patients deserve to be seen as whole human beings – not just numbers on a scale.”
What it means to be an ASMBS Associate Member
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery is the largest national society for bariatric surgeons and integrated health professionals dedicated to the prevention and treatment of obesity and related diseases. ASMBS Associate Members are non-surgeon professionals – such as nurses, dietitians, psychologists, and other clinicians – who demonstrate a strong commitment to the bariatric population and adherence to the Society’s professional and ethical standards.
As an ASMBS Associate Member, Palmer
Stays current on clinical guidelines, safety standards, and emerging research in bariatric and metabolic surgery
Engages with a multidisciplinary community of bariatric professionals
Brings professional-level insight back to her patients, audience, and community
“Alignment with ASMBS matters because it connects my advocacy work to the highest standards in the field,” Palmer noted. “It means that when I speak about safety, protocols, or best practices, I’m grounded in the same science and ethics that guide the surgeons and clinical teams performing these life-changing procedures.”
The significance of the Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) credential
The Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) credential is a rigorous professional certification that demonstrates advanced knowledge and competence in bariatric nursing. Candidates must meet strict eligibility criteria and pass a comprehensive examination covering:
Pre-operative assessment, education, and optimization
Post-operative care, complication recognition, and patient safety
Long-term follow-up, nutrition, lifestyle, and behavior change
Psychosocial and emotional aspects of bariatric surgery
By earning the CBN credential, Palmer has validated her expertise in the specialized care bariatric patients require across the entire continuum – from pre-op preparation to lifelong follow-up.
“Certification matters because bariatric surgery is not ‘just another procedure,’” Palmer explained. “Bariatric patients have unique medical, nutritional, and psychological needs. A Certified Bariatric Nurse is trained to understand those complexities and to advocate for care that protects both the body and the mind – before, during, and long after surgery.”
Bridging clinical excellence and human experience
Through Bariatric Warrior Support and the Bariatric Warrior Podcast, Palmer has built a rapidly growing platform that blends clinical knowledge with real-world, lived experience. Her new professional recognitions further strengthen that bridge.
With her ASMBS membership and CBN credential, Palmer is uniquely positioned to:
Translate complex medical information into practical, understandable guidance for patients
Advocate for mental health and emotional support as core components of bariatric care, not optional extras
Collaborate more closely with surgeons and multidisciplinary bariatric teams
Elevate conversations around safety, long-term follow-up, and quality of life in bariatric surgery
“Too often, patients feel like they have to choose between the medical world and the lived experience world,” Palmer said. “I refuse that split. I sit in both spaces – clinical and personal – so I can help patients feel informed, supported, and never alone.”
About Bariatric Warrior Support
Bariatric Warrior Support is a patient-centered platform founded by Stephanie Palmer, dedicated to educating, empowering, and advocating for individuals before and after bariatric surgery. Through online communities, resources, and the Bariatric Warrior Podcast, the platform provides evidence-informed guidance, emotional support, and real, unfiltered conversations about the realities of life after weight-loss surgery. Bariatric Warrior’s mission is to help you navigate the ups and the downs of your journey and make you feel seen, heard, and not alone. No one should suffer in silence. Affordable access to quality, compassionate, knowledgeable, and safe care is what Stephanie stand by.
About Stephanie Palmer
Stephanie Palmer is a multi-state registered nurse, ASMBS Associate Member, and ASMBS Certified Bariatric Nurse, Patient Advocate, as well as the founder of Bariatric Warrior Support and co-host of the Bariatric Warrior Podcast. A bariatric surgery patient herself, she turned her own journey through obesity, shame, and post-op complication challenges into a global support movement. Palmer advocates for safer, more compassionate, and more comprehensive standards of care for bariatric patients worldwide.
Contact
Instagram: @bariatricwarrior @bariatricwarriorsupport @bariatricwarriorpodcast
