Celebrating the light
within the
Bariatric Community
The Howard Theater
Washington, DC
September 30, 2023
~ Livestream Broadcast ~
Pink Carpet Pre-Show:
5:45 PM EST
Award Show:
7:00 PM EST
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.
2023 Categories & Awards
Fitness Journey
Body Positivity
Inspiring Journey
Overall Transformation
Bariatric Women
Fitness Journey
Body Positivity
Inspiring Journey
Overall Transformation
Bariatric Men
New Beginning
Two Year+ Journey
Five Year+ Journey
Bariatric Plastic Surgery Journey
Over 50 Bariatric Journey
Bariatric Revision Journey
Bariatric Journey Living with PCOS
Bariatric Warrior
Patient Journeys
Bariatric Community Hype-Person
Funniest Bariatric Social Media
Bariatric Fun & Games
Bariatric Information
Bariatric Social Media LIVE Series
Bariatric Recipes or Cookbook
Bariatric Podcast
Bariatric Education
Bariatric Surgeon
Bariatric Plastic Surgeon
Bariatric Therapist
Bariatric Dietitian
Professional Support
2023 Presenters
Steph
@metamorphasteph
Mercedes
@mercedesdoesvsg
Donald Fridley, DO
@sabp_weightloss
Eric
@erics_epoch
Michaela
@michvsg
Joe Cribbins, MD
@one_operation_changes_life
Christine
@bari.godmother
Sarah
@pullingmyweightoff_rny
Fiona
@neversayneverfiona
India
@thatchickuknow_vsg
Heather
@balanced_bariatric_life
Frank
@aquamans_sleeved_journey
Lesli
@blind.girl.sleeved
Jamie Mills, RD
@thesleeveddietitian
Shea
@growwithshea
Megan
@megans.mission
Erin
@gottadothis4me_rny
Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW
@findabariatrictherapist
Joelle
@virtuous_vsg_mama
Murph
@murphs_losin_it
Rob
@weightinginvain
Alicia
@thebrownmamimelts
Netta
@netta_booskie
Brenda
@hoehn_bariatriclife_support
Stephanie
@bariatricwarrior
Jenna
@bariatric.jenna
Candace
@the_sleeved_redhead
Jojo
@itsjojob
Katlyn
@proffeequeenkt
Dee
@get_fitwith_dee
Meg
@viptravelgirl
2023 Show Sponsors
Just Be You