Restaurant Card?

tek like i said in my earlier post ..no one forced us to have this surgery..i did this surgery to improve my health and to have some dignity.. to me there is no dignity asking foir a break in a restraunt.. also plenty of sick people go out to eat sdo they can socialize..they hardly eat a thing ..do they go up to the server or manager of the restraunt and say im sick i have no appetite can i get a discount because i know i cant eat a full meal? it amazes me how people really expect a break because they had surgery.. when i met linda m n rita in boston the other day we were hungry wenmt to a restaunt ordered a appetizer..it was good enough ugh..im maybe to adamnet about those cards know im going to get the lawn chair ready n read back im not trowing popcorn im selling pouch pal at 50% off today specials @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ have agreat day JoAnn

I don't feel any different about the Restaurant Cards now as I did when I started this journey. This is MY issue, not the restaurant's. I don't expect them to care what or how much I choose to eat. I would've been annoyed if they had charged me extra because of my weight appearance prior to sugery, so I don't expect them to charge me less now. I do try to conserve costs (as I always have). If my husband orders a large plate that I like and can eat, we split a plate. If he wants something I don't like or can't eat, I order my own plate. Lots of places will allow you to order a child's plate and I do that. If I'm out on my own and stop by a restaurant, if I'm going straight home, I ask for a doggy bag to take my leftovers home. If not, I don't worry about them. I used to pay much more to eat meals than I do now, so it's not an issue to me.

When I'm not going home after the restaurant (and therefore can't take my leftovers), I do occasionally quietly ask the server if I can order from the kids menu (assuming there's even something I can eat on the kids menu). I don't show a card, and I don't explain why. But nine times out of ten, they say, "Sure, no problem." If they say I can't, I often order a salad or an appetizer or a couple of veggie sides as my entree and it's plenty. For example, the shrimp ****tail appetizer at Red Lobster is perfect! Another little known fact is that one can order a la carte items in many restaurants--for example, I got a chicken breast with no sides at Chili's for about $4 without having to explain anything about my surgery or arguing or anything. I just asked, "Can I order a la carte?" The server said yes, and I ordered a chicken breast. No problem! He probably assumed I was a hard-core Atkins no-carbs devotee. As for buffets, I just don't do them anymore--waste of money! I have never clicked on a thread about restaurant cards on the MB because I've never had a problem getting something at a restaurant that suits my needs. I didn't even realize it was a hot-button topic! ---- Leslie

Hello Tek - I feel the same now, 2.5 years PostOp, as I did waaaaaaaaay back when -as a newly postop. For me personally, restaurant cards are an absolute JOKE and I wouldn't embarrass myself or my family and friends by using one. Ive never been the type to 'seek out' special treatment in life, don't plan on starting it as a weight loss patient either. That being said, I think anyone that CHOOSES to use them SHOULD be able too as long as they realize going into the situation that it's a better then good chance the card WON'T be honored. Oh, and one more thing, NO FREAKN WHINING if it's NOT! I hate to cook so it's a major TREAT when I can go out and order a regular dinner and still have leftovers for 2 other meals. The way I see it, my adult menu item is much healthier and probably comes out 'cheaper' when you divide that total cost into THREE meals - vs - something off the kids menu, once! - Lei

I chose to have this surgery for my health. It's not the restaurants fault I chose to eat a little bit. The amount of food served is only a portion of what you pay for in a restaurant. You take up as much time and space as anyone else. You use the same number of plates and utensils and you get the same service. It takes just as long to prepare a small portion as a large portion. Enjoy the company, socialization and whatever amount you chose to eat. Don't expect the world to change for you. Never have and never will use a restaurant card. Why not just wear a big sign saying I'm different treat me special?

Just say "NO"... Never have, never will. I do share meals sometimes with my 9 year old daughter. I love my leftover's since I am not a good cook. I really did think it was a joke the first time I heard of it, then I just wanted nothing to do with the whole concept... Well, I got m laugh of the day, thanks!!!!

Had one given to me, and threw it away when I got home.. I had this surgery to be normal not to stand out in a crowd, and let the whole world know my personal business, and isn't it just easier to ask for an extra empty plate???

have one that the surgeon gave to all of us in his group that he signed. have not had it out of my wallet except once at a Golden Corral steakhouse here in my town. After I ordered, paid full buffet price and was eating, I thought 'while I'm here i will just see if the manager will honor my card because my hubby loves to eat here "so i asked our server and she asked the manager and he said it would be fine next time since we were such good customers but know what, that server kept her eye on my plate the whole time we were eating to see how much I ate. Needless to say, it hasn't been out of my wallet since and never will be. I figure they are just re-couping some of their money from when I was pre-op and pigged out on their food bars. I don't feel they owe me anything.

Never had one... never wanted one... agree with all the others... deb GREAT POST QUESTION!!!!

I have a restaurant card and use it quite often. It's a VISA. Have a super afternoon y'all. Fanny *just gave notice at my job to move at the end of the month, now someone come pack for me*