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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?

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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.

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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:

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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!

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