Webinar Recap with Dr. Nick Nicholson & Patient-Turned-Health Coach, Kathy Matthews-Carlisle
Bariatric surgery isn’t the finish line — it’s the beginning of a new chapter. During our recent webinar, Dr. Nick Nicholson and patient-turned-health coach, Kathy Matthews-Carlisle, answered the most common questions about long-term maintenance, mindset, and staying successful for life after weight loss surgery.
Here’s what our community learned:
- What Day-to-Day & Week-to-Week Maintenance Really Looks Like
Long-term success isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being consistent.
Daily habits still matter:
- Protein first, always
- Stay hydrated
- Keep your body moving
But maintenance isn’t rigid. It’s about balance — structure with flexibility, progress without pressure.
Kathy’s weekly rhythm:
- Plan what the week looks like
- Live it out day-by-day
- Review energy, sleep, stress, hunger, movement, and wins
When something feels “off,” the goal is early correction — not guilt, not starting over — just small adjustments that keep you on track.
- How Your Relationship with Food Changes Over Time
For many bariatric patients, food used to be a comfort, reward, escape, or coping tool. Post-surgery, the relationship evolves.
- Food becomes fuel and enjoyment, not the enemy
- Mindful eating helps identify true physical hunger vs emotional hunger
- Emotional eating can still happen — even years later
- The difference now: grace, not guilt
When setbacks happen, returning to your basics — protein, hydration, structure — keeps you steady.
- Movement: From “Punishment” to Empowerment
Exercise is not just about burning calories — it’s about celebrating strength, mobility, and longevity.
Kathy started with short walks right after surgery. Over time, she moved into 5Ks, 10Ks, Half marathons, and one full marathon.
Today her routine looks like:
- 3x/week strength training
- 3x/week cardio (walking or running)
- 1x/week mobility/recovery
But the most important part? Find what works for YOU and your schedule. Movement should make life better — not harder.
- Challenges, Setbacks & How to Overcome Them
Even years after surgery, old habits can creep back:
- Grazing
- Skipping meals
- Emotional eating
- Losing structure
That doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re human.
Tools that help:
- Pause instead of spiraling
- Get curious instead of critical
- Journal to identify triggers
- Reach out for support
Success isn’t erased by a rough week. Maintenance is about getting back to the core habits that work.
- If You’re Afraid of Regain… You’re Not Alone
Fear of regain is common — and completely normal.
But here’s the good news:
- Weight maintenance is built on small, realistic habits
- Progress isn’t lost from one stressful month
- You can always course-correct
Shift the mindset from fear → confidence. You’ve done hard things before. You can do this too.
The journey doesn’t stop at surgery — it evolves as you grow stronger, healthier, and more mindful.
- Planning Ahead: Success During Busy or Stressful Seasons
Life gets busy — holidays, work, kids, travel, weather — and structure can slip.
The solution? Prepare before you’re overwhelmed.
- Keep an on-the-go kit in your car or bag
- Use a small cooler with protein-forward snacks
Common options patients love:
- Fairlife, Core Power, or Premier shakes
- Low-sugar protein bars
- Cheese sticks
- Deli meat roll-ups
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Hummus cups with pretzels
Some tips:
- Rotate flavors and brands so you don’t burn out
- Write a “grab & go” list and stick it on the fridge
- Overbuy a little — better than scrambling later
When you plan ahead, you’re not hoping for success… you’re setting yourself up for it.
Because when nutrition is covered, you show up better for work, family, and yourself.
Final Message: You Are Not Alone
Life after bariatric surgery isn’t about perfection — it’s a series of small decisions repeated with consistency, grace, and self-compassion.
- Your habits matter.
- Your mindset matters.
- And you don’t have to do this alone.
We’re here to support you — in every stage of the journey. Schedule your follow-up appointments with your bariatric surgeon for regular check ins and for any concerns you may have. We offer several methods of support and staff to help you along the way.
To schedule a complimentary 15-minute discovery call with Kathy and learn about her coaching services, click here: https://www.livingwellthrivingmore.com/applytoworkwithme
