They say weight loss changes your body — but what they don’t always tell you is that it cracks open your soul. My name is Jeremy, and this is the real story behind Bariatric Fire & Ice — not just a blog, but a lifestyle forged in discipline, struggle, and smoked brisket.
Life Before Surgery: 360 Pounds and Spiraling
I was tipping the scale at 360 lbs — stuck in a body that didn’t reflect the man I wanted to be. A husband. A father. A protector. My days were built around food and alcohol, not wellness or purpose. I was tired. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.
I tried diets. Fads. Promises. They always failed — not because I didn’t want it — but because I had no system. No belief. No “why” that felt strong enough to last through a bad day.
But eventually, the pain of staying the same became greater than the fear of change.
I made the decision that changed everything: bariatric surgery.
The Transformation: 360 to 180
After surgery, the weight came off. 360 turned into 180 — literally half the man I used to be. But the physical change was only the beginning.
Internally, I was facing a whole new battle.
The Unspoken Struggle: Alcohol After Bariatric Surgery
One of the hardest truths I’ve had to face is that weight loss didn’t fix everything. In fact, it exposed a deeper dependency — alcohol.
After gastric bypass surgery, my tolerance changed, but the urge didn’t. I’d gone from numbing my feelings with food… to numbing them with drinks. It’s not something I’m proud of. But it’s part of my story, and if you’re reading this, maybe it’s part of yours too.
Today, I am one day sober. Just one. And I’m using this blog as my outlet — to be honest, accountable, and open about this journey of alcohol-free living after bariatric surgery.
I’ve had to re-learn what coping means. I’ve had to choose sober nights when all I wanted was an escape. And I’ve learned that healing isn’t a straight line — it’s a process of forgiveness, discipline, and cold plunges that shock you back into presence.
Finding Joy in the Flame: My Love for Bariatric BBQ
If there’s one constant that survived the transformation — it’s my love for BBQ.
The smoky flavor. The slow process. The connection to something primal. BBQ was never just food for me — it was an art form, a ritual.
But post-bariatric surgery, I had to adapt. No more sugary sauces or greasy sides. I learned to make bariatric-friendly BBQ — high-protein, low-sugar, low-carb meals that still slapped with flavor.
And that’s where Bariatric Fire & Ice was born — a space for bariatric-friendly recipes, sober living tips, and post-op lifestyle hacks.
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