Question:
Does anyone notice people watching them eating?

Every since I came back to work I have noticed that my co-workers always stop by to see what I am eating. They all knw I was having the surgery and for the nost part have been very supportive. But I have noticed that whenever I am eating the always walk by my desk to see what I am eating. If they don't see my food they ask me what I had to eat an the amount. They don't make any negative comments or anything. They just seem so curious. Has anyonw else experienced this too?    — Stacie B. (posted on August 11, 2003)

August 11, 2003
hiya~ yes i've experienced this too. not so much with co-workers (because i changed jobs and my new co-workers do not know i've had the surgery) but with family members who i don't see on a regular basis. some of them are like the food police sometimes, "gee isn't that too much" or "should you be eating that" i'm just like, "i know my body, what i should or shouldn't eat and just how much i can eat but thank you for your concern" LOL.... as long as your co-workers aren't being negative, you might even talk with them some -- they may run across someone else who wants the surgery and they could play a positive role in telling them about life post op -- we've all heard those naysayers who say, "i knew someone who knew someone who had the surgery and LET ME TELL YOU WHAT!!!" then they go on to tell you all this negative information that may or may not even be true! their curiosity will most likely wane after awhile, this is something new for them too... good luck, kate
   — jkb

August 11, 2003
I have experienced this too, mostly at work. All my coworkers knew about my surgery beforehand and have been very supportive and encouraging. They are just curious. They are amazed at how little I eat. (I am six weeks postop and still can only eat about 2 TBS at a time.
   — DebT

August 11, 2003
I attended a conference recently where this topic was discussed. This was found to be a great method of accountability for WLS patients. We don't eat things that are bad for us because people are watching! I have this happen too sometimes. It's never been a problem. I find that it even makes me feel empowered when I know other people are wishing they could be satisfied eating the small amounts that I eat. I tend to babble about WLS all the time so I enjoy it when people notice the small portions. Best wishes to you!
   — ronascott

August 11, 2003
If I had a quarter for every time I have had the same people say to me mid-afternoon, "Late lunch???" I would be a rich woman! LOL Some people do seem fascinated, but others I tell over and over "I eat every few hours. I eat every few hours. I eat every few hours . . ." They cannot seem to get it in their heads that I do not just eat breakfast lunch & dinner! <p>It doesn't bother me that people are curious about what I eat especially since I usually am eating more healthy foods than they are. It used to bother me A LOT MORE when I would have to grab something and eat in the car. People would stare at me like, "Are you such a pig that you can't even make it HOME with that???" I never get that anymore. Of course, I usually don't eat fast food anymore either . . .<p>Stick it out. They'll get bored pretty quick and start thinking about everybody's favorite subject: themselves. LOL
   — ctyst

August 11, 2003
STOP! STEP AWAY FROM THE DANISH. HANDS IN THE AIR......GOOD.....NOW DROP THE DONUT.....SLOWLY. NO SUDDEN SWALLOWING OR OTHER MOVEMENTS....NOW MOVE ALONG..... Oh I'm sorry, I thought it was an episode from the Food Police, LOL. Hope you don't mind my corney joke, a non WLS friend who lost a lot with Weight Watchers is having the same problem (people monitoring her eating) and we were making that joke the other day. Hopefully your coworkers will stop after the novelty wears off :o) Mea
   — Mea A.

August 11, 2003
I had the same reaction when I first started. I think that people do it out of concern. Most of them have seen thier friends and loved ones fail at diets and don't want it to happen to you. Good lux
   — Robert L.

August 12, 2003
I've experienced people watching what I eat because they are curious. They know my pouch is small and it becomes clearer to them just how small it is, because of the small amount that I eat. I don't mind their curiositybecause I feel like I have the opportunity to educate them.
   — Nicki P.