How do I ignore the initial load when watching model changes in AngularJS? -

i have web page serves editor single entity, sits deep graph in $scope.fieldcontainer property. after response rest api (via $resource), add watch 'fieldcontainer'. using watch detect if page/entity "dirty". right i'm making save button bounce want make save button invisible until user dirties model.

what getting single trigger of watch, think happening because .fieldcontainer = ... assignment takes place after create watch. thinking of using "dirtycount" property absorb initial false alarm feels hacky ... , figured there has "angular idiomatic" way deal - i'm not 1 using watch detect dirty model.

here's code set watch:

 $scope.fieldcontainer = message.get({id: $scope.entityid },             function(message,headers) {                 $scope.$watch('fieldcontainer',                     function() {                         console.log("model dirty.");                         if ($scope.visibility.savebutton) {                             $('#savemessagebuttonrow').effect("bounce", { times:5, direction: 'right' }, 300);                         }                     }, true);             }); 

i keep thinking there's got cleaner way guarding "ui dirtying" code "if (dirtycount >0)"...

set flag before initial load,

var initializing = true 

and when first $watch fires,

$scope.$watch('fieldcontainer', function() {   if (initializing) {     $timeout(function() { initializing = false; });   } else {     // whatever going   } }); 

the flag tear down @ end of current digest cycle, next change won't blocked.