Bariatric surgery can be a powerful tool for hitting the reset button on your metabolic health, but people often underestimate the mental and emotional components of weight loss surgery. Surgeons, dietitians, and therapists all agree that long-term success has less to do with what happens in the operating room and more to do with the mindset and behaviors that follow. That's why I'm thrilled to introduce our guest today, Kathryn Shallow, an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) specializing in bariatric mental health. Kathryn underwent bariatric surgery herself 15 years ago, which sparked her passion for helping others navigate the mental and emotional challenges of the post-op journey. Whether you’ve had bariatric surgery or not, this episode covers a lot of important mindset issues, including the importance of reprogramming our brains away from diet culture and redefining the role of food in our lives. We also explore how to separate our worthiness from our weight, so we can start to trust, embrace, and appreciate our own bodies. References Follow Kathryn on TikTok  If you are interested in Kathryn’s upcoming 40+ bariatric support group (open to men and women), you can email her at [email protected] or send a direct message on TikTok with your email address to receive the group information sheet, required screening form, and instructions for payment.  Information on the 6 sessions (all run via Google Meet) is as follows: Sunday March 10th 3:00 - 4:15 pm EST // Sunday March 17th 3:00 - 4:15 pm EST // Sunday March 24th 3:00 - 4:15 pm EST // **no group Sunday March 31st - Easter Sunday // Sunday April 7th 3:00 - 4:15 pm EST // Sunday April 14th 3:00 - 4:15 pm EST Audio Stamps 01:00 - Dr. Rentea introduces her guest, Kathryn Shallow, who tells us more about her work in bariatric mental health. 10:50 - We learn how diet culture has warped our sense of reality and why it’s important to stay in our own lane. 20:58 - Kathryn shares the importance of building up trust again with your own physical body in order to start liking yourself (or at least not hating yourself).  26:13 - Dr. Rentea asks Kathryn to explain how “disciplined eating” can help people get back on track - without restriction or punitive measures. 30:30 - Kathryn talks about the new bariatric virtual support group she recently launched, as well as the other ways people can work with her. Quotes “Bariatric surgery, while it is a metabolic reset, what it does is it prevents you from eating a lot at one time. It does not prevent you from eating a lot.” - Kathryn Shallow “Often, you don't realize what has been permanently in your brain until you no longer have the ability to use food as a coping strategy.” - Kathryn Shallow “You can have success and failure going at the same time. It's never all or nothing” - Kathryn Shallow  “Our brains are wired to critique and criticize and self-doubt and look at the negatives. And so it really is a lot of mindset work in pointing out the actual reality of what's going on with our bodies.” - Kathryn Shallow All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast. If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com