The Mission of Patient Advocacy with Stephanie Palmer

Stephanie Palmer’s life changed in an instant when a routine surgery went wrong. In this episode, we explore how she turned a devastating personal crisis into a powerful mission for transparency - and what every woman needs to know about advocating for herself in the healthcare system.As a Registered Nurse and Certified Bariatric Nurse with over 11 years of experience, Stephanie found herself in the unique and terrifying position of having to "advocate like hell" for her own life when she faced severe post-operative complications. Today, she is the founder of Bariatric Warrior Support and the recipient of the Bariatric Advocate of the Year award, dedicated to ensuring no one else has to walk their health road in silence.In this episode, we discuss:Turning Adversity into Purpose: How Stephanie used her clinical expertise and lived experience to build a movement rooted in radical transparency.The "Easy Way Out" Myth: Breaking the stigma surrounding bariatric surgery and GLP-1 medications.Patient Advocacy: Practical advice on how to listen to your body and effectively communicate with your medical team when you know something isn't right.Radical Transparency: Why sharing the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of healing is essential for community survival.Whether you are on a specific health journey or navigating the complexities of the healthcare system, Stephanie’s story of resilience and community building will empower you to become your own best advocate.