I have a question for those of you that have the card that allergan gives bandsters that allows them to request children's menu items or for cheaper buffet entry.

I'm in Australia and I got a band of a different brand (midband) rather than the allergan one. I want to ask my surgeon to provide me with a letter or card that I can show to try to get the cheaper options... Especially because my family is going to a buffet for Christmas day and it's $75 per person! I REALLY don't want to pay $75 for a small plate of food!

Anyway, I was wondering if someone could tell me the wording that is on the front and the back of the card so that I can draft something similar to give to my surgeon as an idea about what he could say.

Thanks in advance if you can!

Rebecca

Hi Rebecca!

The Lap Band card from Allergan has the following wording:

This cardholder has an adjustable gastric band implanted around the stomach to restrict food intake. This device is MRI compatible. Caution should be taken when prescribing potentially ulcerogenic medications or performing any gastric or abdominal procedure. Additional emergency information for healthcare providers can be found online at lapbandcentral.com/er.

Note to restaurants: Please allow this person to order smaller portions, as the amount of food this person can eat has been greatly reduced.

Hi Alex... Just wondering how would I be able to get a hold of one of these cards? Do I request one from my surgeon? Can I request one online? I have never heard of this before until now. Thanks a lot.

Hi Rebecca!

The Lap Band card from Allergan has the following wording:

This cardholder has an adjustable gastric band implanted around the stomach to restrict food intake. This device is MRI compatible. Caution should be taken when prescribing potentially ulcerogenic medications or performing any gastric or abdominal procedure. Additional emergency information for healthcare providers can be found online at lapbandcentral.com/er.

Note to restaurants: Please allow this person to order smaller portions, as the amount of food this person can eat has been greatly reduced.

ditto what alex said

heavydutyQ-Tee...i got a several packets from my doctor's office after my first follow up one week after surgery, but i'm not sure if you can go to the allegren website and get it though. check with your doctors office.

alex..have you ever used your card?

Thanks for that Alex! I'm printing it out to take to my surgeon now!

HDQT, from what I have heard, you need to get the serial number of your band, then go to the allergan website and join it using the serial number, and then you can request a card from them on there.

Rebecca

To be quite honest, I wasn't even aware of this card until a few years ago. In 2003 when I was banded I was never made aware of the card by my surgeon either.

Yay, my surgeon gave me a card! Now to convince the club we're going to Christmas lunch at to only charge me a child's price......

Just becasue we may have a card... the restaurant does not have to honor the request. Most servers have no idea what you are talking about. I find it more comfortable to pull the manager aside and quietly explain my situation. I have done that in the past and was always offered a reduced rate.

Of course there are often times when I just order an shrimp cocktail and a dinner salad....

I have never had a problem explaining that I have had surgery and need to either share or have a child's menu. I prefer not eating a child menu,a s it usually is not my choice of food. However, on a holiday when I am paying $75.00 a person, I would make that choice easily!!!!

We have to pre-pay for the Christmas lunch, so I'll make sure I go in when they're quiet and see if I can see a manager to arrange payment. I'll let you all know how it goes.

You can order your card off the website. You have to fill in a bunch of info and they'll even let you print out a temporary card. I never had to give a serial number. I have it but I've never used it. I order off the regular menu at restaurants and take the rest home for leftovers the next day, or I just order an appetizer or side salad. In any case, it's still a good idea to have one. If there's ever an emergency where you are unconscious, EMTs will go through your wallet to find ID and if you keep your lap band card right near your driver's license or ID they will know that you are a lap band patient and take the necessary precautions (unless of course it is life-threatening then they will do what is necessary to save you! Better to lose your band than your life!).