Just Be You Bariatric Awards

Celebrating the light
within the
Bariatric Community

Watch the 2023 JBY Award Show

The Howard Theater
Washington, DC
September 30, 2023

~ Livestream Broadcast ~
Pink Carpet Pre-Show:
5:45 PM EST
Award Show:
7:00 PM EST

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Dr. Eric Smith talks about his experience at JBY and what the event means to the bariatric community. He encourages everyone to learn about the nominees and vote.

About the Show

The Just Be You Bariatric Awards Show recognizes courageous bariatric patients who inspire others on social media with their stories of success, struggle, and overall weight loss surgery journey.

Although the Bariatric Community has existed for decades, it doesn’t have mainstream exposure, making it difficult to find a supportive community offering lived experiences relatable to people considering bariatric surgery.

OSLP has a significant web and social media presence, and we’ve made it our mission to shine a light on our Bariatric Community.

In our first year, we focused on spreading the word about JBY and rolling out this incredible event. In the process, we discovered more about our community and where to focus our efforts as we continue celebrating surgical weight loss patients and building mainstream awareness of our community.

In 2023, we’re focusing on honoring the light in everyone within our bariatric community. Every person’s journey is different and should be celebrated for their accomplishments. Our community members come from various cultures, races, sexual orientations, economic statuses, ages, etc.

We are here to celebrate everyone for their boldness in sharing their differences while highlighting their bariatric journeys.

Show Hosts

Kellie & Mel are the creators and hosts of Our Sleeved Life Podcast and founders of the Just Be You Bariatric Awards Show. They’ve been best friends for over twenty years, and both have had vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). They started the podcast to raise awareness around bariatric surgery and to help others find the information they wished was available when they had their surgeries. Three years later, they are still supporting the bariatric community and helping countless individuals navigate bariatric life.