Hi everyone,

I am a very discreet bandster. While I like my band, there are times when I pb and throw up and cannot control it. I prefer not to throw up in public, but sometimes I cannot help it especially when I am travelling and don't know where the bathrooms are. In one case, I was on a trip waiting for the bathroom, and threw up in the sink while waiting for the bathroom to be free. In another case, I threw up in a garbage can on a very public street.

Believe it or not, most people do not even notice. It is pb so it doesn't smell and I try to hide it. But, I think there must be a better way.

I especially hate it when I eat out and people try to rush me while I am eating. I know that I am slow, but really. Or when I just chewing very slowly and in the bite the waitress asks me how the food is. I then am obligated to swallow quickly and respond dearly hoping for my life that the food will not get stuck.

Or the hurt person comes along when I have eaten just a quarter of the meal saying "But you did not like it?"

Or how do you throw up quietly and quickly in a public bathroom without having to keep leaving and coming back and leaving because you haven't been able to get it out?

Any tips on how not to be a social pariah while still not compromising ourselves?

Well, it is not easy to be discreet at all times. I've been known to run down side streets looking for a friendly bush.

When I am out with a group, I always order something I know will go down well. If that means I eat a slider food for one meal, so be it. Generally I'll get something off an appetizer menu or Soup. That usually saves the discussion of whether or not I liked it. If my mouth is full when the server stops by, I'll just nod and gives a thumbs up that all is well. I have to be very careful that I pay attention to what I am eating when I am with a group, otherwise I get wrapped up in coversation and and take too big a bite or don't chew well enough.

You don't say how long you've been banded, but for me, with practice I get stuck far less often than I used to. Don't get me wrong I have to be careful and mindful, but each meal is not the roll of the dice it used to be.

Ive learned to scout out the bathrooms where ever I am if eating out. I do that before I even order LOL

I was at the Bears game tail gating pbd twice just went infront of the car. Not to many saw it happens.

Hey guys, I'm new to the board! what does pb stand for?

I snag a few extra air sick bags whenever I fly and always keep one in my handbag for situations like this.

Hey guys, I'm new to the board! what does pb stand for?

Productive Burp.

I never feel obligated to respond to someone when I have a bite in my mouth. I just smile and hold up a finger to say 'just a moment' and continue chewing. Than again, I've done that all my life.

Order something you know will go down easy. As Cocoa said, eating sliders for one meal won't kill you.

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I then am obligated to swallow quickly and respond dearly hoping for my life that the food will not get stuck.

I just nod & smile, or give a thumbs-up. There's no obligation to swallow!

I'm not wild about public vomiting, but have always made it to a bathroom (I find out where they are before starting to eat). I guess I've been lucky; if I've gotten stuck or had an issue, it's been easily and quickly (and quietly) resolved, with no one the wiser.

I always check out where the bathrooms are before ordering also! Now I see that I am not alone. LOL. I always get the funny looks when I tell them I don't want anything to drink. I don't even want to order water because then I am tempted to drink it and that will only make things worse.

Great post! (band on 10/21)

I never thought about not ordering a drink when eating out! Interesting. I dont usually drink while eating actually so that wont be hard for me but I order one when out just cuz it's the norm.

Also good to know to scout out the bathroom!

All good things to think about as I am not telling anyone about band.

I know what you are talking about.. I can't stand when I am at a restaurant and the server keeps on asking me if everything is okay because I have not eaten much. Sometimes I order something and then realize that it is not going down that day, and I have to leave the entire plate, how do you explain this to the server; it is so confusing.

I know what you are talking about.. I can't stand when I am at a restaurant and the server keeps on asking me if everything is okay because I have not eaten much. Sometimes I order something and then realize that it is not going down that day, and I have to leave the entire plate, how do you explain this to the server; it is so confusing.

Belle, you must be one of the nicest people on earth ... and I'm not being sarcastic. Or, I suppose, in the alternative, I must be really mean. LOL I don't consider for a moment that I have to "explain" to my server why I am not eating my meal. For one thing, I don't think they actually care, as long as I leave a tip. LOL

Last weekend one of my neighbors was celebrating his birthday in the common area where I live. Just to be polite, I went over to say "happy birthday". Well, one of my other neighbors got it into his head that I should stay and Celebrate with them. I had been to the grocery store and was anxious to get upstairs and sautee my boneless, skinless chicken. Never knew I would be more excited about boneless, skinless chicken than enchiladas! LOL Anyway, Steve kept insisting that I have a drink/join him for enchiladas. Hmmp! I stood my ground and ever so politely (smiling all the while) kept repeating "Thank you, but no thank you. I am fine." He was getting really pushy and, admittedly, I was getting a little uncomfortable. But I remained polite and stood my ground. Sometimes it's not easy, but well worth the battle to get to goal weight.

As for vomiting, I also scope out the restrooms when I arrive at a restaurant and more often than not will have Soup and/or a salad (salads seem to slide down easily for me). On occasion if I am very hungry I will order an appetizer as my meal, but sometimes they are hard to get down too.

~F

About not eating everything and nosy servers...I request a "to go" container as soon as my food arrives and pack much of it away.

lunch for tomorrow!! :smile:

I am very embarassed to tell this. About 2 mos. after I was banded, I DID throw up at the table at Red Lobster & I was mortified! I could NOT control it at all! It just kept coming & coming! I was starving & ate shrimp cocktail too fast & without chewing enough! From then on, I carry a "sick bag" which I get online at www.sicksaver.com. These have saved me many times--at restaurants , in the car, etc. They are well worth it & now I would not EVER be without them! I still do, however, scope out the restroom & will sometime even ask to be seated close by! It is all an ongoing learning experience! Good Luck!