Don't be that person..

It's not worth the fuss and like you said it does make all of us look bad. Most places have a soup menu. I'm gluten free so I have to make sure the soup doesn't have gluten, but if I ever go out to eat again (I haven't since I'm only 4 weeks post op), I will order a cup of gluten free soup and sip it during the meal. Otherwise I just won't go out to eat. Not worth it.

Our surgeon provides laminated cards with his name, clinic hospital info requesting the accomodation.  His staff has said patients who used the cards reported the restaurants were very accomodating.  I never used mine because I never thought about it. 

I don't think anyone who has had WLS should be going to a buffet.  JMO.

However, I DO think we should have the right to order off the kid's menu at other restaurants.  Why not?  You're getting what you're paying for, which is a smaller portion of food.

If a restaurant refused to serve me something off the kid's menu, I would simply order something off the adult menu for my son (or whoever I was with) and share it.  

 The problem with ordering off the kid's menu is that the kid's menu is generally full of crap. 

Chicken fingers, pizza, mac and cheese, corn dogs, cheeseburgers... if you're lucky, and it's a nice restaurant, you MIGHT get the option for grilled chicken or fish, but that's rare. 

A person would be better off just ordering a cup of soup and a salad. Eat the soup, pick the protein and softer veggies off the salad, and call it good. 

The kids menu is usually MORE unhealthy than adult choices though. Although some restaurants are doing better with this by offering apple slices and such. Denny's has always let me order from the senior menu (which tends to be leaner and healthier AND with smaller portions) without having to show anything.

Red Robin & Logans Roadhouse both have griled chicken on their kids menu.  And I have ordered both with out a problem.  I ordered a grilled cheese from cracker barrel off of the kids menu and it was ok once i took off the crust. 

Jen,
I understand where you are coming from on avoiding buffets, but for me a huge part of this process was taking back control of my life. I refuse to let my food addiction keep me from socializing simply for fear that I'll cave and overeat or make bad choices. I took the control back that food had over me and whether I'm at home with my own food surrounding me in every cabinet or in a restaurant where fried, processed and over sugared are laid out for the taking, I'm in control of what I put in my mouth. I won't let food control me ever again.

"I don't think anyone who has had WLS should be going to a buffet.  JMO."

Oh my!! Now I know you said it is just your opinion, but really?  I have just as much right to go to a buffet now, as I had in my previous "life".   Why shouldn't I?? Really?  I never complain about the price vs. the amount I can eat. I know I will eat 1-2 plates of food, and those plates will not have a lot on them, but they will contain food that I enjoy, and am happy to consume.  If I have had a meal that I enjoyed, I am satisfied. I do not need to have my "amount" equal cost, I have to have my "enjoyment" of the meal equal the cost. 

That just covers the price issue.....now as to the issue of simply GOING to a buffet as a WLS....I KNOW what I should eat to keep myself where I am at this time in my weight loss.  I most certainly should/can go to a buffet just like everyone else! I will make my personal choices of the food I will eat, and for me those choices will be healthy ones. Having WLS does not preclude the right to go to a buffet. Ever. That's just silly IMO.

 Actually, I beg to differ.  A buffet is the perfect place for me to go (other than the issue of being charged so much for so little food)!  I can select a variety of protein items (eating a bit of pot roast, a bit of baked chicken, and a bit of some kind of seafood is MUCH more interesting and enjoyable than having to pick just one type of protein at a regular place)  and then add just a bite or two of a couple of veggies or other items (which enables me to get some healthy veggies and then also enjoy just two bites of something that I normally don't eat (or order a full portion of from a regular restaurant) like mashed potatoes or macaroni and cheese... and those two bites of the carb-laden or high fat items are often like dessert to me)!  

Just because it is a buffet does not automatically make it all about eating huge portions of food.

The Golden Corral by me does not allow any types of discounts for WLS folks, but they DO have a carryout option where you pay by weight, so I do that about once every 6 weeks.

Lora

 Lora,
    I totally agree with you!  (of course, I usually do :D