The Fear of Regret No One Talks About After Plastic Surgery
Thu Feb 05 2026
Epi 12
Welcome back to The Cutting Edge Podcast with host Mel featuring Dr. Omar E. Beidas, MD, FACS (plastic surgeon) and Ashlyn Douglass Barnes, LCSW (therapist and post weight loss patient). In this episode of our Fear Series, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles before body contouring and plastic surgery after major weight loss: the fear of the unknown and the fear of regret.
You’ll hear what regret actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s far less common than the fear of it), how unrealistic expectations can fuel anxiety, why “post op blues” can happen even when everything is going well, and what you can do before surgery to feel grounded, prepared, and confident. We also talk about how people treat you differently in a smaller body, how confidence can impact relationships, and why choosing the right procedure (and the right provider) matters if you want results you won’t second guess.
If you’re researching tummy tuck, skin removal surgery, body contouring after weight loss, 360 lipo, breast lift or breast augmentation, or you’re navigating the mental side of transformation, this one is for you.
Watch next
If you’re new here, start the Fear Series from the beginning and then work your way through the topics in order for the full picture.
What you’ll learn in this episode• Why fear of regret is more common than actual regret
• The top reasons people feel regret after plastic surgery (and how to avoid them)
• How swelling, pain, recovery fatigue, and needing help can trigger “blues”
• How to set realistic expectations for healing and final results
• Why non invasive “skin tightening” options usually do not solve loose skin after major weight loss
• How weight stability affects long term results
• How body changes can shift attention, confidence, and relationships
• How to choose the right procedure and avoid “internet validation” traps
• What board certification and proper training really mean in aesthetics
Chapters0:18 Intro and Fear Series focus: fear of the unknown
1:07 Fear of regret vs actual regret
3:07 What plastic surgery means after major weight loss
4:19 Post op blues, swelling, recovery expectations
6:19 Surgery day realities and “the flip” discussion
12:21 Picking the wrong procedure and online trends
14:20 Beware unqualified aesthetic providers
15:18 Loose skin facts after major weight loss
18:04 Fear of social judgment and relationship changes
21:46 How people treat you differently after weight loss
27:47 Chasing perfection vs unrealistic expectations
31:27 The viral “RGB implant” moment and internet misinformation
35:26 Implant sizing and why many people wish they went bigger
39:53 Weight stability, timing, and how surgeons “read” readiness
44:49 Fear of regret and decision making styles
Featured expertsDr. Omar E. Beidas, MD, FACS
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Fellowship trained in plastic surgery after massive weight loss
Instagram: @drbodycontouring
Ashlyn Douglass Barnes, LCSW
Therapist and plastic surgery patient after major weight loss
Instagram: @ashlynchange4life2012
Host: Mel
Host of Our Sleeved Life Podcast and Creator of Just Be You Awards
Instagram: @oursleevedlifepodcast
Website: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com
Disclaimer
This episode is for education and support only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your surgeon and healthcare team for personalized guidance.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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Epi 12 Welcome back to The Cutting Edge Podcast with host Mel featuring Dr. Omar E. Beidas, MD, FACS (plastic surgeon) and Ashlyn Douglass Barnes, LCSW (therapist and post weight loss patient). In this episode of our Fear Series, we tackle one of the biggest hurdles before body contouring and plastic surgery after major weight loss: the fear of the unknown and the fear of regret. You’ll hear what regret actually looks like in real life (hint: it’s far less common than the fear of it), how unrealistic expectations can fuel anxiety, why “post op blues” can happen even when everything is going well, and what you can do before surgery to feel grounded, prepared, and confident. We also talk about how people treat you differently in a smaller body, how confidence can impact relationships, and why choosing the right procedure (and the right provider) matters if you want results you won’t second guess. If you’re researching tummy tuck, skin removal surgery, body contouring after weight loss, 360 lipo, breast lift or breast augmentation, or you’re navigating the mental side of transformation, this one is for you. Watch next If you’re new here, start the Fear Series from the beginning and then work your way through the topics in order for the full picture. What you’ll learn in this episode• Why fear of regret is more common than actual regret • The top reasons people feel regret after plastic surgery (and how to avoid them) • How swelling, pain, recovery fatigue, and needing help can trigger “blues” • How to set realistic expectations for healing and final results • Why non invasive “skin tightening” options usually do not solve loose skin after major weight loss • How weight stability affects long term results • How body changes can shift attention, confidence, and relationships • How to choose the right procedure and avoid “internet validation” traps • What board certification and proper training really mean in aesthetics Chapters0:18 Intro and Fear Series focus: fear of the unknown 1:07 Fear of regret vs actual regret 3:07 What plastic surgery means after major weight loss 4:19 Post op blues, swelling, recovery expectations 6:19 Surgery day realities and “the flip” discussion 12:21 Picking the wrong procedure and online trends 14:20 Beware unqualified aesthetic providers 15:18 Loose skin facts after major weight loss 18:04 Fear of social judgment and relationship changes 21:46 How people treat you differently after weight loss 27:47 Chasing perfection vs unrealistic expectations 31:27 The viral “RGB implant” moment and internet misinformation 35:26 Implant sizing and why many people wish they went bigger 39:53 Weight stability, timing, and how surgeons “read” readiness 44:49 Fear of regret and decision making styles Featured expertsDr. Omar E. Beidas, MD, FACS Board Certified Plastic Surgeon Fellowship trained in plastic surgery after massive weight loss Instagram: @drbodycontouring Ashlyn Douglass Barnes, LCSW Therapist and plastic surgery patient after major weight loss Instagram: @ashlynchange4life2012 Host: Mel Host of Our Sleeved Life Podcast and Creator of Just Be You Awards Instagram: @oursleevedlifepodcast Website: https://www.oursleevedlifepodcast.com Disclaimer This episode is for education and support only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult your surgeon and healthcare team for personalized guidance. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.