Three women collectively shedding 36 stone came together to organize the inaugural weight loss festival in the UK, which turned out to be a massive success. Donna Musson, 43, Anastasia Morris, 34, and Pamela Phillips, 42, bonded over their individual journeys of undergoing various bariatric surgeries to achieve significant weight loss. Recognizing the lack of opportunities for post-surgery individuals to connect, they decided to launch the UK’s first bariatric surgery festival, later expanded to include anyone on a weight loss path, whether through surgery, injections, or traditional dieting, providing a supportive environment for people to come together and have a good time.
After meticulous planning over eight months, the vibrant festival took place at Field Good Bar in Bath over the weekend, attracting 75 attendees at different stages of their weight loss transformations. The event featured a range of activities including arts and crafts, karaoke, fitness sessions, live performances, wellness seminars, and ‘boozy bingo’. Renowned DJ Shortee Blitz, known for collaborations with top artists like Jay-Z and Mariah Carey, entertained the crowd, with plastic surgeons also present for consultations on-site. Admission to the festival cost £60 per day.
The festival concluded on a high note, with Donna, Anastasia, and Pamela expressing overwhelming interest from attendees about the possibility of hosting the event again in 2027. Pamela, who lost 9st 7lbs after gastric sleeve surgery in 2023, highlighted the importance of creating a supportive community for individuals post-weight loss surgeries. The trio’s encounter at a ball led to the inception of the festival idea, driven by their own weight loss transformations and the desire to fill the void of a social gathering in the weight loss community in the UK.
Donna emphasized that the festival welcomed individuals at various stages of their weight loss journeys, offering a variety of food options to cater to everyone’s needs. The trio’s vision for Barifest extends beyond its successful debut, aiming to establish it as an annual event following the positive feedback received from attendees. Participants praised the inclusive environment, with accommodations like smaller meal portions, reinforced furniture, and more spacious facilities ensuring comfort and accessibility for all body types and sizes.
Anastasia reflected on the uplifting experience of the festival, highlighting the absence of judgment towards physical appearances and the focus on creating lasting memories in a supportive setting. The trio’s dedication to fostering a sense of community and celebration around weight loss transformations sets the stage for Barifest to become a recurring celebration of accomplishments and connections in the weight loss journey.
