Bariatric-friendly restaurants??

I was given "the card" by my surgeon but have only eaten out once since surgery.  I ended up eating 1/4 of the serving of salmon and took the rest home to my son who was very happy.  Today is my son in laws Birthday and I believe we are going out for dinner tonight.  I just really do not feel comfortable handing my card to a complete stranger and having to explain my "issue".   

  Your concerns about eating out are understandable as a newbie, but this won't be as big of an obstacle as what you anticipate.  You can still go out and have a nice time.

Many restaurants have "Heart Friendly" options that are healthier.  Generally speaking, they're prepared with much less fat and sodium.  You can go online to look at menus before you decide where to go out to eat. 

Regarding portion sizes -  As a post op RNY, the amount of food that your pouch will comfortably hold will change over time.  The farther out you get, the amount of food that you eat will approach closer to normal.   WHAT you eat (dense protein vs soup, for example) will also affect the amount that you can eat.

 I will confess to ordering from the children's menu  but only when I'm purchasing carryout. 

If I'm splitting a meal with my husband, we always tip the server for two meals because they're still doing the same amount of work. 

I have used my card at several locations.  Never had an issue.  Ihop allows me to order from the kids menu.  I also went to Shoney's when I was in SC, the waitress there charged me 1/2 price.  I ordered the buffet but she saw how little I ate, and charged me less which was very nice. 

Normally I'll just order what I want and take the rest home.  I try to order dishes I know will heat up well in the oven or microwave. 

I simply ASK for what I want, whether it's half portions or alternative side dishes; sometimes they can do it, sometimes not. I don't share the "why"; it's not their business. And if they can't accomodate me I don't get my panties in a wad; I just order from the appetizer menu and/ or share an entree, appetizer and dessert with my husband.

I had this surgery to be "normal"; I don't want to be singled out as the "one who needs special treatment".

When I go out to restuarants,  usually I order from the senior citizens menu even though I'm not in that catogory yet.  I will bring some of the dinner home.  If they  offer soup, that comes home with me so my son has his dinner.

I was literally eating out 7 days a wee****il just a couple week ago (now it's so cold that when I get home from work, I don't want to go back out!). Anyway, I always just order meat and a non-starchy veggie or side salad. If I can't eat it all, I bring home the leftovers and eat them for lunch the next day (or give them to my husband - he likes leftover/reheated steak more than I do).

If I don't want leftovers, then I'll just order an appetizer or a cup of chili or french onion soup without the croutons or some other soup that has protein in it.

I don't even ask for a lower price at buffets - I still eat a tiny bit of everything when I go (which isn't often), so I believe I'm paying for that variety, not the quantity, of food.

I feel bad that people think I am going to go around demanding special treatment. It actually never occurred to me until the gentleman in my support group brought it up. I don't have a problem bringing leftovers home and my husband loves when I do this. I was intrigued because he said one of the local communities had a lot of places honoring this card he referred to and I didn't know if that was unique to that area or all over.

don't feel bad and don't worry about what people may think. you just happened to hit a nerve with this topic as many people have strong negative feelings about those WLS restaurant cards (myself included). i think its a good idea to know which restaurants in your area offer half-size portions, especially since you won't be eating very much at all for the next few months!.

i live in nyc and eat out quite a bit. if i feel like carrying a doggy bag on the subway then i take my leftovers home. if not, i toss it or just order something small. but then again i'm not one of those people that has any problem "wasting" food. i just order what i enjoy and i don't worry about the rest. don't sweat it.

edited for spelling and to add Good Luck with your upcoming surgery!!!!!

I will echo this.  Politely inquiring is not (1) asking to be treated specially by the restaurant, (2) feeling entitled or (3) making a 'bad name for the rest of us,' all of which I've seen trotted out as criticism of this practice on these boards.

It's fine to ask.  It's fine to ask to see if ala carte items are available (most steakhouses do allow for this).  It's fine to call corporate lines to see if they have any chain-wide allowances for WLS patients.

However, for the restaurants that will allow you to order off the kids' menu with the card?  Be careful about that.  Most kids menu items are laden with carbs, and more than I'd care to consider are deep fried.  The combination isn't good for any surgery, really.

this is the only card I use at restaurants: