It’s part 2 of our two-part episode with Dr Arun Dhir, Bariatric Surgeon and author of Happy Gut Healthy Weight.
Can our gut health really affect our quality of life? In this podcast, Jacqui sits down with Dr Arun Dhir, exploring how the gut and immune systems connect to our overall disease resilience. Dr Dhir gives us simple advice to implement when things go wrong.

It&rsquo;s part 2 of our two-part episode with Dr Arun Dhir, Bariatric Surgeon and author of Happy Gut Healthy Weight. Can our gut health really affect our quality of life? In this podcast, Jacqui sits down with Dr Arun Dhir, exploring how the gut and immune systems connect to our overall disease resilience. Dr Dhir gives us simple advice to implement when things go wrong.

On the Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast, we share tips, insights and recommendations from leading Bariatric specialists to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals and live a life of health and vitality.


Qualified Nutritionist Jacqui Lewis and her guests dive into aspects of diet, fitness, wellbeing, mindset and lifestyle that come together to achieve great results on your Weight Loss Surgery journey.

On the Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast, we share tips, insights and recommendations from leading Bariatric specialists to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals and live a life of health and vitality.
 Qualified Nutritionist Jacqui Lewis and her guests dive into aspects of diet, fitness, wellbeing, mindset and lifestyle that come together to achieve great results on your Weight Loss Surgery journey.

Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast

On the Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast we share tips, insights and recommendations from leading bariatric specialists, to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals and live a life of health and vitality.


Nutritionist Jacqui Lewis and her guests dive into aspects of diet, fitness, wellbeing, mindset and lifestyle that come together to achieve great results on your weight loss surgery journey.

On the Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast we share tips, insights and recommendations from leading bariatric specialists, to help you achieve and maintain your weight loss goals and live a life of health and vitality.
 Nutritionist Jacqui Lewis and her guests dive into aspects of diet, fitness, wellbeing, mindset and lifestyle that come together to achieve great results on your weight loss surgery journey.

The Gut: Where Bacteria & Immune System Meet

Weight regain after bariatric surgery is one of the most feared — and most misunderstood — parts of the journey. So when does it become a problem, and what can you actually do about it?

 

In this episode, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Dietetics Lead Jennifer Tsoutsoulis from Melbourne Weight Loss Solutions unpacks why some degree of weight regain is a normal part of the post-surgery curve and how to tell the difference between a natural rebound and a genuine red flag.

 

Jennifer explains why the first 12 months after surgery is the "honeymoon period," what happens to hunger hormones beyond that window, and how changes in portions, food quality, and eating routine quietly drive regain over time. She also covers the role of the body's set point, why the scale will often settle slightly above your lowest post-surgery weight and why that's not failure. 

 

For anyone seeing the numbers creep up and wondering whether to panic, Jennifer offers a clear, practical threshold: when to pause, what to check, and who to reach out to first. Tune in to find out what to do next.





Episode Highlights:
Why weight regain is multifactorial and always expected to some degree
What the "honeymoon period" means and why hunger changes after 12 months
How ghrelin, portion creep, and food quality combine to drive regain
The body's set point explained and what a normal rebound actually looks like
The 5kg rule: when to pause, check in, and reconnect with your team
Why GLP-1 medications are now a legitimate tool in managing post-surgical regain
The iceberg analogy: why dietitians, psychologists, and surgeons all have a role
Why obesity being treated as a chronic disease is changing the conversation

About Our Guest:

Jennifer Tsoutsoulis is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Dietetics Lead at Melbourne Weight Loss Solutions, with over 8 years of experience in both surgical and non-surgical weight management. She is passionate about supporting individuals through evidence-based nutrition care, delivering practical and personalised strategies that empower clients to achieve sustainable, long-term results. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Human Nutrition, majoring in Genetics, along with a Master of Dietetic Practice. Her professional approach combines scientific expertise with a compassionate, client-centred philosophy, helping individuals improve their health, build confidence, and enhance their overall quality of life.

 

Connect with Jennifer
Jennifer Tsoutsoulis LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tsoutsoulis-69316315a
Melbourne Weight Loss Solutions | mwls.com.au

Weight regain after bariatric surgery is one of the most feared &mdash; and most misunderstood &mdash; parts of the journey. So when does it become a problem, and what can you actually do about it?
&nbsp;
In this episode, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Dietetics Lead Jennifer Tsoutsoulis from Melbourne Weight Loss Solutions unpacks why some degree of weight regain is a normal part of the post-surgery curve and how to tell the difference between a natural rebound and a genuine red flag.
&nbsp;
Jennifer explains why the first 12 months after surgery is the "honeymoon period," what happens to hunger hormones beyond that window, and how changes in portions, food quality, and eating routine quietly drive regain over time. She also covers the role of the body's set point, why the scale will often settle slightly above your lowest post-surgery weight and why that's not failure.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
For anyone seeing the numbers creep up and wondering whether to panic, Jennifer offers a clear, practical threshold: when to pause, what to check, and who to reach out to first. Tune in to find out what to do next.
 
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why weight regain is multifactorial and always expected to some degree</li>
<li aria-level="1">What the "honeymoon period" means and why hunger changes after 12 months</li>
<li aria-level="1">How ghrelin, portion creep, and food quality combine to drive regain</li>
<li aria-level="1">The body's set point explained and what a normal rebound actually looks like</li>
<li aria-level="1">The 5kg rule: when to pause, check in, and reconnect with your team</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why GLP-1 medications are now a legitimate tool in managing post-surgical regain</li>
<li aria-level="1">The iceberg analogy: why dietitians, psychologists, and surgeons all have a role</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why obesity being treated as a chronic disease is changing the conversation</li>
</ul>
About Our Guest:
Jennifer Tsoutsoulis is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Dietetics Lead at Melbourne Weight Loss Solutions, with over 8 years of experience in both surgical and non-surgical weight management. She is passionate about supporting individuals through evidence-based nutrition care, delivering practical and personalised strategies that empower clients to achieve sustainable, long-term results. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Human Nutrition, majoring in Genetics, along with a Master of Dietetic Practice. Her professional approach combines scientific expertise with a compassionate, client-centred philosophy, helping individuals improve their health, build confidence, and enhance their overall quality of life.
&nbsp;
Connect with Jennifer
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Jennifer Tsoutsoulis LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tsoutsoulis-69316315a/">www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tsoutsoulis-69316315a</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Melbourne Weight Loss Solutions |&nbsp;<a href="http://mwls.com.au">mwls.com.au</a></li>
</ul>

Jennifer Tsoutsoulis On Weight Regain after Bariatric Surgery

What should women know about preparing for pregnancy after bariatric surgery? And how can nutrition during this time support both maternal health and a baby’s long-term development?

In this episode, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Melanie McGrice explains why the period before conception and through a child’s first two years is one of the most important windows for nutrition. She focuses on what women who have had bariatric surgery need to consider when planning a pregnancy, including weight stability, nutrient levels, and timing.

Melanie discusses why weight management can become more complex after pregnancy and how nutritional status before conception can shape fertility outcomes. She also explores how epigenetic programming may influence a baby’s future health.

Melanie breaks down practical guidance for bariatric patients who want to start or grow their family. She explains how to time weight loss before conception, what adequate protein and micronutrient intake looks like with a restricted stomach, and why the folate conversation is more nuanced than many prenatal supplements suggest.

For anyone navigating pregnancy preparation after bariatric surgery, this episode offers clear, evidence-based guidance on supporting both mother and baby during this critical stage.
For health care professionals: Home - Early Life Nutrition Alliance
For public: Nutrition Plus Dietitians - Fertility, PCOS, Pregnancy & Paediatrics

Episode Highlights:
Why women often can't reverse weight changes that started during pregnancy — and the science behind it
What epigenetics actually means, and why the first thousand days sets a child's lifelong health trajectory
The landmark mouse study that changed how we think about what mothers eat during pregnancy
Folate vs. folic acid vs. methylated folate — Melanie's practical middle-ground recommendation
How to manage nausea-driven eating in the first trimester without compromising nutrition
Why bariatric patients need specific micronutrient and protein targets before and during pregnancy
The timing strategy Melanie uses for weight loss before IVF egg collection
Why nutrition should come before IVF — not after multiple failed cycles

About Our Guest:

Melanie McGrice is an advanced accredited practising dietitian and one of Australia’s leading experts in early life nutrition. With over 20 years’ experience, she specialises in fertility, pregnancy, and the first 1,000 days, helping individuals and families optimise health during life’s most influential nutritional window.

Melanie is the founder of the Early Life Nutrition Alliance, a global community of dietitians dedicated to improving health outcomes through evidence-based nutrition care. She also leads consumer-focused services through Nutrition Plus, supporting people with fertility concerns, hormonal health challenges, and complex conditions such as PCOS, Endometriosis, and metabolic changes related to bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications.

A regular media commentator, researcher, and educator, Melanie is passionate about making high-quality nutrition science accessible, practical, and compassionate. Her work empowers individuals to feel confident, supported, and informed as they navigate significant health decisions and transitions.

Connect with Melanie McGrice
Website | www.melaniemcgrice.com.au
Instagram | www.instagram.com/melaniemcgrice
Facebook | www.facebook.com/MelanieMcGriceDietitian
YouTube | www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMqzbbepjpirMANLvA2TEQ
X (Twitter) | @MelanieMcGrice
LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-mcgrice-91885638/

What should women know about preparing for pregnancy after bariatric surgery? And how can nutrition during this time support both maternal health and a baby&rsquo;s long-term development?
In this episode, Advanced Accredited Practising Dietitian, Melanie McGrice explains why the period before conception and through a child&rsquo;s first two years is one of the most important windows for nutrition. She focuses on what women who have had bariatric surgery need to consider when planning a pregnancy, including weight stability, nutrient levels, and timing.
Melanie discusses why weight management can become more complex after pregnancy and how nutritional status before conception can shape fertility outcomes. She also explores how epigenetic programming may influence a baby&rsquo;s future health.
Melanie breaks down practical guidance for bariatric patients who want to start or grow their family. She explains how to time weight loss before conception, what adequate protein and micronutrient intake looks like with a restricted stomach, and why the folate conversation is more nuanced than many prenatal supplements suggest.
For anyone navigating pregnancy preparation after bariatric surgery, this episode offers clear, evidence-based guidance on supporting both mother and baby during this critical stage.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">For health care professionals: <a href="https://earlylifenutritionalliance.com/">Home - Early Life Nutrition Alliance</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">For public: <a href="https://www.nutritionplus.com.au/">Nutrition Plus Dietitians - Fertility, PCOS, Pregnancy &amp; Paediatrics</a></li>
</ul>
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why women often can't reverse weight changes that started during pregnancy &mdash; and the science behind it</li>
<li aria-level="1">What epigenetics actually means, and why the first thousand days sets a child's lifelong health trajectory</li>
<li aria-level="1">The landmark mouse study that changed how we think about what mothers eat during pregnancy</li>
<li aria-level="1">Folate vs. folic acid vs. methylated folate &mdash; Melanie's practical middle-ground recommendation</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to manage nausea-driven eating in the first trimester without compromising nutrition</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why bariatric patients need specific micronutrient and protein targets before and during pregnancy</li>
<li aria-level="1">The timing strategy Melanie uses for weight loss before IVF egg collection</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why nutrition should come before IVF &mdash; not after multiple failed cycles</li>
</ul>
About Our Guest:
Melanie McGrice is an advanced accredited practising dietitian and one of Australia&rsquo;s leading experts in early life nutrition. With over 20 years&rsquo; experience, she specialises in fertility, pregnancy, and the first 1,000 days, helping individuals and families optimise health during life&rsquo;s most influential nutritional window.
Melanie is the founder of the Early Life Nutrition Alliance, a global community of dietitians dedicated to improving health outcomes through evidence-based nutrition care. She also leads consumer-focused services through Nutrition Plus, supporting people with fertility concerns, hormonal health challenges, and complex conditions such as PCOS, Endometriosis, and metabolic changes related to bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications.
A regular media commentator, researcher, and educator, Melanie is passionate about making high-quality nutrition science accessible, practical, and compassionate. Her work empowers individuals to feel confident, supported, and informed as they navigate significant health decisions and transitions.
Connect with Melanie McGrice
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Website | <a href="https://www.melaniemcgrice.com.au/">www.melaniemcgrice.com.au</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Instagram | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/melaniemcgrice/">www.instagram.com/melaniemcgrice</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Facebook | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MelanieMcGriceDietitian">www.facebook.com/MelanieMcGriceDietitian</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">YouTube | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMqzbbepjpirMANLvA2TEQ">www.youtube.com/channel/UCEMqzbbepjpirMANLvA2TEQ</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">X (Twitter) | <a href="https://twitter.com/MelanieMcGrice">@MelanieMcGrice</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">LinkedIn | <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-mcgrice-91885638/">www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-mcgrice-91885638/</a></li>
</ul>

Pregnancy Preparation and Care After Bariatric Surgery with Melanie McGrice

What if everything you've been told about willpower and weight loss is wrong?

Obesity Specialist GP and dietitian Dr. Mais Hussein reveals why obesity isn't a character flaw—it's a chronic disease driven by over 100 hunger hormones working against you. We explore why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are powerful tools, not magic fixes, and what happens when people use them without proper nutritional support.

Dr. Mais breaks down the three critical pathways GLP-1s work on—inflammation, hunger suppression, and food addiction—and why pairing them with resistance training and adequate protein is non-negotiable. She shares why eating very little is actually your worst enemy, how emotional eating is a symptom, and what post-bariatric patients need to know about long-term support.

If you've been stuck in the diet-shame-motivation cycle or wondering whether GLP-1s are right for you, this conversation offers a science-backed path forward that treats obesity as the treatable chronic disease it actually is.

 

Episode Highlights:
Why GLP-1s are tools, not solutions—and what happens when used without lifestyle support
The three pathways GLP-1s work on: inflammation, hunger hormones, and reward systems
Why muscle loss is inevitable with any weight loss method—and how to prevent it
How hunger levels differ between people with and without obesity
Why "eat less, move more" fails when you're fighting 100 hormones
The shocking truth about food addiction and emotional eating
What bariatric surgery patients need to know about lifelong vulnerability

About Our Guest:

Dr Mais Hussein is a medical doctor with 16 years of experience and an obesity specialist for the past 3 years, with a strong background in nutrition and lifestyle medicine.

She works at the intersection of medicine, metabolism, and real life , translating complex clinical frameworks into practical, sustainable strategies.

Her upcoming program, Weight Loss & Beyond, is designed to move people past generic advice and endless trial-and-error, offering evidence-based guidance without extremes, shame, or quick fixes — focusing on long-term health, not just the number on the scale.

 

Connect with Dr. Mais Hussein
Website | www.weightlossandbeyond.com.au

What if everything you've been told about willpower and weight loss is wrong?
Obesity Specialist GP and dietitian Dr. Mais Hussein reveals why obesity isn't a character flaw&mdash;it's a chronic disease driven by over 100 hunger hormones working against you. We explore why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are powerful tools, not magic fixes, and what happens when people use them without proper nutritional support.
Dr. Mais breaks down the three critical pathways GLP-1s work on&mdash;inflammation, hunger suppression, and food addiction&mdash;and why pairing them with resistance training and adequate protein is non-negotiable. She shares why eating very little is actually your worst enemy, how emotional eating is a symptom, and what post-bariatric patients need to know about long-term support.
If you've been stuck in the diet-shame-motivation cycle or wondering whether GLP-1s are right for you, this conversation offers a science-backed path forward that treats obesity as the treatable chronic disease it actually is.
&nbsp;
Episode Highlights:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Why GLP-1s are tools, not solutions&mdash;and what happens when used without lifestyle support</li>
<li aria-level="1">The three pathways GLP-1s work on: inflammation, hunger hormones, and reward systems</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why muscle loss is inevitable with any weight loss method&mdash;and how to prevent it</li>
<li aria-level="1">How hunger levels differ between people with and without obesity</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why "eat less, move more" fails when you're fighting 100 hormones</li>
<li aria-level="1">The shocking truth about food addiction and emotional eating</li>
<li aria-level="1">What bariatric surgery patients need to know about lifelong vulnerability</li>
</ul>
About Our Guest:
Dr Mais Hussein is a medical doctor with 16 years of experience and an obesity specialist for the past 3 years, with a strong background in nutrition and lifestyle medicine.
She works at the intersection of medicine, metabolism, and real life , translating complex clinical frameworks into practical, sustainable strategies.
Her upcoming program, Weight Loss &amp; Beyond, is designed to move people past generic advice and endless trial-and-error, offering evidence-based guidance without extremes, shame, or quick fixes &mdash; focusing on long-term health, not just the number on the scale.
&nbsp;
Connect with Dr. Mais Hussein
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Website | <a href="https://www.weightlossandbeyond.com.au/">www.weightlossandbeyond.com.au</a></li>
</ul>

The Gut: Where Bacteria & Immune System Meet

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Australian Weight Loss Surgery Podcast

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