Three women who collectively shed an astonishing 36 stone have organised what is believed to be the United Kingdom's first weight loss surgery festival, and it proved to be an enormous success.
A Festival Born from Shared Experience
Donna Musson, 43, Anastasia Morris, 34, and Pamela Phillips, 42, first connected at an event after each had undergone different bariatric surgery procedures to lose weight. They bonded over their individual experiences but soon realised there were few opportunities for people who had been through similar journeys to meet and celebrate together.
Having lost a combined 36 stone, the trio decided to create the UK's first bariatric surgery festival, which they named Barifest. The event later expanded to welcome anyone on a weight loss journey, whether through surgery, weight loss injections, or traditional dieting, providing a space for people to gather and enjoy themselves without judgment.
Eight Months of Preparation
After eight months of planning, the vibrant festival took place over the weekend at Field Good Bar in Bath, drawing a crowd of 75 slimmers at various stages of their transformations. The festival featured a wide range of activities, including arts and crafts, karaoke, fitness sessions, live entertainment, wellness seminars, and even 'boozy bingo'.
One of the highlights was a performance by DJ Shortee Blitz, who has collaborated with major artists such as Jay-Z and Mariah Carey. Several plastic surgeons were also on hand to offer on-the-spot consultations. Standard entry tickets were priced at £60 per day.
Overwhelming Success and Future Plans
The event concluded on Sunday and was hailed as a tremendous success. Donna, Anastasia, and Pamela revealed that they have already been inundated with enquiries about running the festival again in 2027.
Pamela, from Wolverhampton, who lost 9 stone 7 pounds after undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2023, said: "It can be very lonely, having weight loss surgery and then going back to reality with your normal friends. So Barifest was about bringing people together as a family, and not feeling embarrassment or shame. This is just the beginning and it's so exciting – Barifest will take over the world!"
How the Idea Came About
The concept emerged after Anastasia, Donna, and Pamela crossed paths at a ball they all attended and connected over their shared experiences. Pamela, a wellbeing coordinator, dropped from 20 stone 8 pounds to 11 stone in the months after her gastric sleeve surgery. Anastasia, a logistics administrator from Llanymynech, Wales, fell from 32 stone to 14 stone 9 pounds following gastric bypass surgery in August 2023. Meanwhile, Donna trimmed down from 20 stone 7 pounds to 11 stone 6 pounds after gastric sleeve surgery in May 2021.
One thing they all recognised was that significant weight loss journeys could feel incredibly "lonely" and challenging for others who had not experienced it to truly comprehend. They felt that the weight loss community in the UK was missing a relaxed, enjoyable event where everyone could gather, forge friendships, and simply enjoy themselves – and thus the concept of Barifest was born.
Inclusivity at the Core
Donna said: "There were people who only just had their surgery – it wasn't just a field full of slim people. Even me, Pam, and Anastasia are all at different stages – I'm at the end of my journey after skin removal surgery, Pam has lost weight and is looking into skin removal surgery, and Anastasia is still losing weight. Food wise, we had lots of options – full portions, half portions, and soup – so everyone at any stage of their journey had a choice."
The trio revealed this is merely the beginning, and they are determined to make it a yearly occasion following this year's triumph. Attendees praised how welcoming the festival was, with reduced meal sizes, reinforced beds and seating, and even more spacious toilets to guarantee accessibility for all body types and sizes.
Anastasia added: "It was so uplifting – nobody was judging loose skin, so no need to feel self-conscious. If you've always been skinny you don't think about things like whether the chairs and beds will fit you, or whether you can get in the toilet. But we truly understand what it's like, and it was the best weekend making memories."
