I was out for a holiday dinner with coworkers a few days ago and now that I'm not spending the entire meal stuffing my face with food, I notice more how much others eat. appetizers were brought to the table, bread was served, then salads, then meals and then giant Desserts. Since I have limited space, I have to skip straight to the main meal and am only able to eat a fraction of that.

I used to eat that much. No wonder I needed surgery. It's amazing how much my perception has changed after a few short months. Do you notice how much others eat?

Not really. I just don't care. Maybe it's from years of being the lone vegetarian in the crowd so often, I simply don't care.

I absolutely notice and I'm amazed at how much food gets eaten at dinners. I am 7 months out and I can eat more than I used to. I have become a master at making it look like I am eating more than I am so those who I don't care to let know I had the surgery don't notice. I've noticed that only the people who know I had the surgery notice how much I eat. The rest don't. But back to the original question, I used to eat as much as everyone else still does - if not more!

Yes, and I also notice other things like how much they drink and what poor choices they make. I do not say anything but now that I not busy eating the whole time I have time to really see others.

I only notice in my house because There are a lot of leftovers left that my husband has been working on now that I don't eat much...it's really shows me just how much I was actually eating in the house. To have sweets sitting around and throwing out half a peach pie that didn't get eaten Is just astonishing because that NEVER would have happened had I not had this surgery....I defiantly would have had them ate!! Thank Jesus I'm not that way anymore....maybe that's my first NSV?!!!

I was just noticing tonight that my husband takes huge bites and doesn't even finish chewing one bite before he's biting off more... Of course, he's always been skinny...

Yep. I notice all the time now. I would occasionally take a picture of a meal that my husband had made us for dinner - looking back at those now, I can't help thinking "my God, no wonder I got fat!!" Also, portion sizes in restaurants are completely out of control. It's weird that I actually prefer tapas places now when two months ago I would see a tapas restaurant and think "it must be so hard and expensive to fill up in one of those places!"

I'm just 10 days on liquid pre-op and I already notice!

Yes when I am at work. I work in a school and the majority of my coworkers are overweight. I notice how much food they are eating, and I feel bad, that I am even noticing. I definitely do not want to turn into one of those lifestyle changers who judges or looks down on others. So I tell myself that I am being completely unfair and to cut it out!

Totally get it,,,, Surprised how ,,, I thought normal eaters,,, Shovel it in !!! Lol

I haven't noticed yet. I'm 2 days post op. I don't return back to until 12/22. I work at the hospital. And I've told myself. There's no longer is a reason for me to adventure up to the cafeteria. I did fix my daughter Tuna fish salad for dinner. I just had to block out the smell ????

I definitely notice how much people are eating. I guess is sorta like buying a car. Once you own the car, you start to notice how many other people are driving the same model.

But I'm also sorta envious (at times) of those that I see with heaping piles of food and can maintain normal weight. There are occasions (really rare occasions) that I wish I could eat just a little more of a favorite food.

Yes! The portions look huge to me now!

Yes, I notice and I'm appalled by my negative reaction sometimes. I was never a big eaterin public. Would always eat small amounts and take food home or let my kids eat it if they wanted to. But I was a a secret eater, and ate huge amounts in private. While I ate healthy small portions in public or in front of my family, I would binge on junk food in the privacy of my car or when home alone. Of course I then dealt with the shame and remorse that would bring. On another note,I get jealous when I see people just shoveling in food without chewing. I was a super fast eater, I miss that and still struggle to remember to slow down.

Something else I've noticed when I've been out shopping, are the folks buying Protein shakes, and mushy stuff. I think in my head....."that person has had wls!" And then I'm jealous because I haven't yet. I'll be at Sams Club with the hubs and observe what is in other people's baskets (Water bottles, Fage 0 calorie yogurt in bulk, egg beaters, apple sauce, sugar free popsicles and premier protein) and whisper to him...."I bet that person had wls....look how healthy he/she looks!" I don't know if they did or didn't, but I think it whenever I see something like that.

YES! I have been noticing this at lunch, at work! It use to be me...more, anymore, and more! Now I just have lunch envy!! I eat my teeny, tiny, portion and feel stuffed. But....I also think my friends are noticing my portion size and thinking...lucky girl!!