Question:
Has anybody ever heard of restrasunt cards...

Cards that you can get that explain that you had bariatric surgery and that might help in restaurants, so that you can order 1/2 orders or child's plates without the waiters & waitresses looking at you funny?    — bubbarino (posted on April 26, 2004)

April 26, 2004
The only place I use it is at my favorite Chinese buffet. I already knew from my support group members that this particular restaurant took my surgeon's card so the ice was already broken for me, so to speak. Elsewhere I've had no trouble ordering children's portions, splitting with a friend or my husband, asking for a take home box, etc. So many people are dieting now, for so many reason, and in so many differnt ways, the wait staff doesn't care about why.
   — Leslie R.

April 26, 2004
I agree with Leslie. I have never used the card given to me by my surgeon. Partially because I would be embarrassed to ask for special treatment. I like to get boxes to take home and have the leftovers the next day for lunch. If my kids don't eat them.
   — **willow**

April 26, 2004
believe me, they still look at you funny. I ate at a Golden Corral steak house recently and did not use my card but I gave it to my server and asked them to ask the manager if I could use it "next time;. She came back and said sure. But I noticed that every time she passed our table she was looking to see how much i had on my plate. I guess to see if i was telling the truth. I will probably never use mine and just not go to buffets any more than I have to. Hubby likes them but we don't really eat out that much. it is better to order off a regular menu and take it home. But, the Cracker Barrel does offer a kids menu for "kids of all ages". I had some nice grilled (tender and juicy) chicken strips and green beans once off the kids menu and it was just the right amount for us. No eyebrows raised there.
   — Delores S.

April 26, 2004
I use mine at cafeterias as well. It has helped me out a lot for being able to order off the child's menu. A few of the buffet restaurants have even allowed me to pay the child's price. I'm all for the card. Good luck.
   — PVail

April 26, 2004
I have one I got it from my Dr the nly time I use it is if we go to a buffet the rest of time I just order reg food and take it home and get 2 to 3meal out of it all togather so at the time the meal may have been kinda high but when you can eat on it 3xs its cheap Take Care Huggs Beth
   — wildbrat

April 26, 2004
yea i got one of those cards from my docotor right before i had my surgery .. i haven't been able to go out and eat yet but since i am onnly a month out post-op . but i am sure i will get to try it
   — lizzie72

April 26, 2004
We both have one somewhere but we have never used them. Easier to bring leftovers home or split a meal. Honestly I am not big on eating out since I tend to eat more and doint want to gain.At buffets I have told them I am a postie and got the senior rate, didnt show the card. I didnt offer to pay more when I was fat, so I dont look for a big discount today. Being normal weight is all the reward I need. Its better once you can eat more at over 6 months out.
   — bob-haller

April 26, 2004
We both have one somewhere but we have never used them. Easier to bring leftovers home or split a meal. Honestly I am not big on eating out since I tend to eat more and doint want to gain.At buffets I have told them I am a postie and got the senior rate, didnt show the card. I didnt offer to pay more when I was fat, so I dont look for a big discount today. Being normal weight is all the reward I need. Its better once you can eat more at over 6 months out.
   — bob-haller

April 26, 2004
Mine is designed for new post-ops. I got it from my surgeon. I never used it. Kids meals are just not nutritious. Now I usually get the salad bar or soup.
   — mrsmyranow

April 26, 2004
My wife and I use our cars a lot. Ryans Steakhouse lets us eat buffet for 2.99 each, not bad at all. If we dont use the cards we order one meal and share it. We usually get full and cant eat everything. My wife has had wls too. If we eat fast food we get a small kids burger. I love my card.
   — bransonboy

April 26, 2004
I used my card once. I eat like a normal person, so I pay the normal price. When my husband and I share a meal, we tip as though we had been served two meals (especially if they split it in the kitchen and serve each of us a separate plate.) Not 40%, but a little extra if they make an extra effort. Even on the rare occasion we got to a buffet, I feel like they didn't charge me more when I was MO, so I am happy to pay the regular price. Now my DH and I have this rule - we split an entree or we each get a cup of soup and split an appetizer, By the way, gastric bypass surgery is so common now, most people have heard of it and are actually interested in knowing about it. I don't think I have ever had a "funny look"!
   — koogy

April 26, 2004
Yes, I got one from the hospital when I was discharged. I haven't used it yet as most places have let me order a kids meal. Otherwise, I just order a regular meal and share it with my kids or bring it home and someone will eat it as left-overs. It's pretty cost effective when 3 people can eat off of one adult meal!
   — JaimeO

April 26, 2004
Yes, I have one I got mine when I had my surgery at the Bariactic Treatment Center in Langhorne PA, once side is for the restaurants, and the other side is a medical alert card to let EMT's and Doctors in the emergency room know my stomach has been altered.
   — danetta1070

April 27, 2004
Those cards are great. Sometimes they will still give you a hard time, but mostly they are pretty good about it. I got my card from my surgeon, you may want to call your surgeon and ask, or here's the link to make one of your own...good luck! Cassie http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/restaurantcard.html
   — tizzylish2003

April 27, 2004
Yes. I just had my surgery on 4/14/04 and was given a card like that by my doctor.
   — Tami G.

April 27, 2004
The surgeons assistant gives them out in our group...sharon
   — Sharon L.

April 28, 2004
The place where I had my surgery gave one to me letting me order from either the kids or senior menu. I dont really use it a whole lot as I still get funny looks from the waitstaff. We have a Cracker Barrel in Brighton, Mi so its no problem ordering from the kids menu and at the local Legion Hall they recently had a Smorgasbord dinner and they just charged me the senior rate. When we order carry out and call in our orders, Ill order something from the kids menu. They dont know its for me. Good Luck!
   — Kris T.

April 28, 2004
I have one and have never used it. I prefer the big meal and take the leftovers home so I have more meals ready to go. Heck I will even order the largest steak so I get more meals out of it.
   — zoedogcbr

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