I've been having alot problems with people questioning me, saying things like "are you allowed to eat that?, "are you allowed to have that". I'm not eating anything that is unhealthy but I still get questioned about everything that goes into my mouth by family, co-workers, etc. It's to the point where, I feel guilty for eating anything or even having a half a cup of skim milk! I end up very upset when they question me. I am eating but because of this, I don't really like to eat around anyone else, I feel like I have to be secretive about what I'm putting into my mouth. Has anyone else had this problem?

I've been having alot problems with people questioning me, saying things like "are you allowed to eat that?, "are you allowed to have that". I'm not eating anything that is unhealthy but I still get questioned about everything that goes into my mouth by family, co-workers, etc. It's to the point where, I feel guilty for eating anything or even having a half a cup of skim milk! I end up very upset when they question me. I am eating but because of this, I don't really like to eat around anyone else, I feel like I have to be secretive about what I'm putting into my mouth. Has anyone else had this problem?

First of all, this is why I chose not to tell anyone that I had the surgery.

Second, I tell people I am on a diet and I watch what I eat and how much.

So far, I haven't experience what you are going through. But, I know when I return back to work from summer break, I know all eyes will be on the food I'm eating. As much as I would like to tell those individuals off, I plan on telling them I'm allowed to eat the same food as everyone else and I have a great medical team that suggest great food choices and all I need from my friends and family is to be a great support system but not monitors of what I eat.

I'm not sure if that statement would work for you because I can be a very blunt person. But you overall want your family to know exactly how you feel when they make those statements when you eat and let them know how you want them to be supportive to you while you are on this weight loss journey.

I can be pretty blunt to. My response would be something like "thank you for your concern but I have it under control."

I find that people will ask me if I can eat this or that too. I have just chalked it up to them just being curious and not trying to be maliciious. I think they want to know because deep down they are interested in the band themselves and just want to to if they would be able to eat it or not if they got the band. My answer is always the same, "I can eat anything that I want to now because I eat such smaller portions!" That usually works.

I've only had a few people ask me "can you eat that?" and they weren't trying to police my plate. They were just truly curious. I actually explained the entire procedure and what you have to do after surgery and they were very interested. A lot of people just don't understand how the band works.

There may have been a person asking to be ugly, but I didn't notice. I think I'm just so happy with the band so I don't even care if someone is trying to be mean.

I usually explain it by saying that the band works differently for everyone - some things may end up being difficult, and some things are no problem. But ultimately my band is developing it's own personality, and I can eat anything that my band can allow, with deference to smaller portions (staying away from carbonation and caffeine also, in my case).

I think people are genuinely concerned/curious because they frequently assume I'd have the same restrictions as someone who had a bypass, etc.

"I'm allowed to eat the same food as everyone else and I have a great medical team that suggest great food choices and all I need from my friends and family is to be a great support system but not monitors of what I eat." I plan on using this. Thank you!

It's just very hard to feel like everyone is watching/judging me for any food choices that I make. Everyone is judged for being "overweight" anyway, and this just adds to my frustration. It's just very upsetting for me to constantly be scrutinized for what i'm putting on my plate. I told a select few (i.e. my boss, and 1 or 2 co-workers) about my surgery, and now it's around the entire office. It's very frustrating for me because I feel like this is a very personal thing that if I wanted to share, I could share, but the entire office didn't need to know.

First of all, this is why I chose not to tell anyone that I had the surgery.

Second, I tell people I am on a diet and I watch what I eat and how much.

My feelings exactly!!

People say the DUMBEST things, put up an invisible shield, I swear it HELPS!

My feelings exactly!!

Just say "yes" and keep eating. It's nobody's business but your own what you're eating.

They have not had the surgery. So,,,, it is safe to tell them, that you have no idea what I can or can not have ! So yes ! ! ! your doing the proper thing.