So I had a conference to attend all last weekend and it was all day so we had a luncheon every dAy and snacks were available constantly. They serve you food at the luncheon and everybody noticed my lack of eating very much. It was awkward and I found myself stumbling for excuses. I made a few poor excuses but now I'm an opus what to do in that situation Some of these same people ask me to lunch and I am too nervous to go! I don't want people to think I have an eating disorder but I feel that is the impression I'm giving off. Especially to people who have known me for a long time and know that I became very ill with anorexia about a decade ago. I have only told three people about my surgery and have no interest in letting anyone else know. So what do you guys say when that awkward moment comes??

I just say I'm on a 'Dr supervised diet'. Who is going to argue with a doctor?

Essentially it's true' date=' too. We have had surgery (no one needs to know if you don't want to share), and our team has given us guidelines and restrictions that we need to follow while we are healing, and to avoid getting sick. It IS medically supervised and we are taught how to get all the things we need that are vital to our recovery and good health. It's not a fad diet, a starvation diet, or an eating disorder. :-)[/quote']

Very true. I wouldn't be lying!

Same thing with drinks. At first I'd tell them I didn't want anything to drink with my meal. Then one time I had the waitress ask me 5 times during a meal if I was sure I didn't want anything to drink. Now I just get a Water and it either sits there untouched or my boyfriend drinks it.

Yes very smart. Those waitresses can be persistent but I know they're just trying to help but it does put me at a loss as to what to say

I thought for a long time about whether or not I was going to tell people and if not' date=' I finally decided to play my hand face up. I told people and now I don't have to worry about a cover story. Everyone is great about making sure restaurants we pick have options for me. Waiters and waitresses still think I'm nut when I don't order beverages but that doesn't bother me.[/quote']

Just wondering if you had negative reactions? One of my friends who was like the first person I told reacted very negatively and does not even talk to me anymore. I think this why perhaps I'm scared to tell anyone. It makes me sad that she would choose not to talk to me anymore but I think it made her feel reAlly insecure. I'd guess I'd just rather not got through that again!

Thank you to everyone who replied to this thread. I've been completely busy with holiday festivities so I was unable to respond for a couple of days! I truly feel a little lost when I can't check in with the forum in a couple of days! All of you guys are great and have given me some great ideas on how to handle this situation next time

Telling them you've taken garage of you health and you are on a strict diet' date=' you appreciate the invite but are trying to avoid temptation.[/quote']

Oh I like this one a lot!

I pass on lunch a lot too. When I go I eat Soup. I just say I have cut out a lot of things (fried' date=' sugar, bread etc) so I only eat certain things. Don't feel uncomfortable u can't control what people think of u, when u start losing they may think its because of a eating disorder focus on you, pack your lunch and forget about the rest. Best Wishes![/quote']

Thanks so much. Great idea:)

Back in the late 80's when HIV/AIDs became the disease of the century and everyone was scared to even have any type of contact with a person with the diagnosis' date=' if you lost a lot of weight because you were dieting, the first thing that came to mind with many people was you were HIV/AIDs positive, and there went your friends. You could tell them that you were dieting but you could tell they really didn't believe you. So no matter what you tell everyone, they will think what they want to believe. Very sad, because when you need the support, it isn't there.[/quote']

Oh wow this is crazy! I'm so glad I don't have to worry about that. How awful

I've found myself at luncheons serving normal (to them) plate of what I can eat and talking.... Bite.... Talk.... Fork down..... They finish first and we all get up together. When I'm throwing away all the food minus what I ate I say I ate a big breakfast' date=' you didn't see me snacking before the luncheon?!, or my new fav it just wasn't good food, I'm saving my appetite for my dinner date or I have another meeting after this!

I've become quit the fibber!!!<img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I don't think the entire world should know even though I've told a lot of people. After my white lies people don't ask. Works for me! Good luck![/quote']

Oh I constantly feel I'm telling little white lies. I even have to lie to my kids because I don't want them to tell their daddy- my ex!

Agree pack your own lunch or say you had a big Breakfast. I just found out from my stupid hubby that everyone keeps asking him if I'm sick. Wth they sure don't ask me that. Ppl need to mind there own buisness.

How do you keep from letting this get to you. I feel I am constantly worried about what others are thinking!