Surgery Cards for Restaurants
On March 5, 2011 at 1:02 PM Pacific Time, MandaTee wrote:
I am trying to get a surgery card to show at restaurants. Has anyone gotten one before? My NUT told me to go to RealizeMySuccess.com and I did, and can't figure out how to get one.
Can anyone help??

Member Since: 10/11/09
[Latest Posts]Post Date: 10/13/09 1:03 pm
A “Restaurant Card" is a business cards sized card, often laminated, usually given by surgeons reading something to the effect of:
The holder of this card has had a surgical procedure which has permanently reduced their stomach capacity. Therefore… It is greatly appreciated if you would allow them to order from the children’s menu or to purchase half-sized adult entrees. Thank you for your consideration.
1. WLS Restaurant Cards differ from REAL Discount Cards such as AAA, Entertainment Book, etc. in one very important aspect: The REAL discounts are negotiated and agreed to by all parties in advance. The restaurant staff is briefed on how to handle the card. It is PRESUMPTUOUS to create and distribute a card asking/demanding a discount.
3. I had surgery. It was my choice to have my stomach modified so that I could only eat 3-5 ounces of food at a sitting. There are many people that have not had surgery that CHOOSE to eat 3-5 ounces of food at a sitting (imagine that!). I do not deserve a discount, or a special menu, any more than they do.
4. “I eat less than most children; I should pay what they pay". Children’s prices are a marketing tactic to get parents to bring their kids (and themselves) to a restaurant. Children’s menu’s are not because children eat so little. Children’s menus are designed for children’s tastes. Bland and greasy.
5. Seniors Menus are also a marketing tactic to get seniors to come to the restaurant. If you’re not a senior, you don’t DESERVE a discount because you eat less than a senior. Many restaurants offer a ‘For Smaller Appetites’ Menu, this you may qualify for.
6. I don’t want the hostess, waitress, people behind me or near by, the busboy, or anyone else to know my medical history. It is none of their business, and I should not be making it their business simply to get a discount.
7. Buffets are “All you can eat for…" If all you can eat is 3-5 ounces, the price is the same as when you ate 30-50 ounces or 300-500 ounces. When you could eat 2, 3, or 4 times what the average person could eat, did you ask to pay more? Of course not. To remain morally consistent, you cannot ask to pay less now.
8. “I didn’t choose the buffet, my family did… Why should I pay when I only eat 3-5 ounces." See #7. Further, you are there to be with your family or friends. Eating out now is even more about the company you keep rather that getting the most food for the least price. Actually, it should always have been about the company.
9. “I didn’t choose the buffet, my family did…" So, before WLS, did you pay less when you wanted Mexican food, but your family outvoted you and you ended up with Chinese? No, you went along to keep peace, to enjoy the company. Whatever your reasons were then, they’re the same now.
10. “I can’t eat all that, I can’t take leftovers home, I don’t want to waste it." Waste it. Leaving leftovers is not the end of the world. In spite of what your mama said, leaving food on your plate is not a sin, and it will not help starving children in China for you to clean your plate now. You are not obliged to clean your plate. IN FACT, restaurants try to serve enough to satisfy large appetites and they expect people NOT to eat it all. They have trash cans out back for all the left over food.
11. Do you demand a discount at convenience store on a bag of potato chips because you can’t eat the whole bag, and a lot will go to waste? Why not, it’s the SAME THING.
12. Dinner at Chili’s cost $15 before WLS, and you left satisfied. Post-op, the same dinner costs $15 and you leave satisfied. The only difference is you leave food on the plate rather than nose marks. Often, rather than ordering a $15 dinner, you can order $10 appetizer, and you are ahead of the game.
13. "Restaurants should be considerate of WLS Patients." Restaurants should be considerate of EVERYONE. There are many groups of adults that eat less than 'normal', yet they do not expect discounts.
Obviously, or perhaps not so obviously, these arguments presume that people have integrity and that they desire their actions and opinions to be rational, supportable, and consistent. There are those that will do whatever is necessary to get a discount, which these arguments will not dissuade from this course.
Previously Midwesterngirl
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
On March 5, 2011 at 2:19 PM Pacific Time, kwood15 wrote:
Wow, really?Yeah! Amazingly so, yes!
Previously Midwesterngirl
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
On March 5, 2011 at 8:30 PM Pacific Time, glendary wrote:
My card does not mention a discount. Perhaps you presume that they all do.
I don't assume anything. They typically request that either you get a discount or offer choices from the greasy, carb filled children's menu. Or... from the Sr. menu. Are you a senior or a child?
What does YOUR card suggest?
Previously Midwesterngirl
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.
See my blog for newbies: http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
I pretty sure I got mine from Dr. Alvarez. I used it once at Applebees and I was so embarrassed because the waitress made a big production and had to ask the manager and then he came over and he said it was ok but I think the people around us were wondering what the hell was going on so I never used it again. I just usually order soup!
I like to go to Boston Market because I just go up to the counter and order a kids meal and nobody questions it.
I like to go to Boston Market because I just go up to the counter and order a kids meal and nobody questions it.
I received one from my Dr.'s office (surgeon). I have to say I have never used it and likely won't. I typically chose a protein heavy appetizer like grilled shrimp/scallop/crab cake and that is enough for a meal - maybe a cup of soup for a few sips. I don't order from the childrens menu as it is typically all carbs - pasta, burgers & fries, fried chicken fingers etc. Perhaps if there is a resturant with children's portions of regular menu I could need it but it is pretty evident I can't eat much.
Veribage on my card says...The carrier of this chard has had a surgical procedure and has been placed on a restricted diet. Please allow him/her to order smaller portions or from the childrens menu.
This is printed onto a laminated business card from the Dr's Office.
Hope this helps you.
Veribage on my card says...The carrier of this chard has had a surgical procedure and has been placed on a restricted diet. Please allow him/her to order smaller portions or from the childrens menu.
This is printed onto a laminated business card from the Dr's Office.
Hope this helps you.