Hubby and I decided to "beat the beast" so to say and make a visit to our local buffet. We typically enjoy the yummy food at Souper salad (who by the way does offer a discount to WLS patients).

I had called shortly after my surgery to see if they give a discount and they said yes, with proof of surgery (the card). I didn't have my card at the time and just said forget it.

The last time I went into the resturant they told me they would honor our cards this time, but not to be surprised if they don't in the future as it is "against company policy" to honor WLS discounts as Golden Corral is an "all you can eat resturant" and "if that is all you can eat, then that's all you can eat".

I know they aren't the best place to eat, but every now and then I enjoy a change of pace and I can honestly behave myself enough now to eat there.

Personally I think that type of company attitude promotes obesity. Gotta love the all mighty dollar!

Mariquita, some surgeons give their patients a medical cards explaining that their patients have had surgery that prevents them from eating more than a few ounces at a time. Some restaurants honor them and give a dicount.

I don't have one, wouldn't use it if I did...guess I'd be embarassed since I'm still big as I am. I figure I got MORE than my money's worth for a couple of decades before my surgery....it'll balance out. However, we seldom go to a buffet any more because it's not a good 'investment' for a wls patient.....my DH sure misses it so once in a while we go.

I totally understand those who feel differently than I - but it's just the way I feel. I think companies should care about who is eating there - even if it's only a small percent. I guess the problem with me is that I didn't hardly go to Golden Corral before I was banded because I think they're buffet really isn't worth $10 even with a full size stomach. Ive only been there once since banding and the one by my house gave me a discount - no problem. Maybe I'm poor, maybe I'm cheap, etc - but I think they should give the discount. Now at Chili's and places like that I order a full entree and take it home - that's fair, but GC should let bandsters fill thier plate and get it to go if they wont get a discount. Just my opinion.

Some doctors give a card to band patients explaining the band. It is from Inamed and has a picture of the band and what it looks like in the body. I always have mine ready at the airport, just in case. It~Mandy

Ok IS MY BAND A SECURITY RISK AT THE AIRPORT??

I need another reason for a strip search like I need a whole in my head!!!!!!!!!

I got a card because my doc said if I am wanded at an airport it will go off. I travel frequently so I will be sure to keep it on me! Its also good in case I am rushed to the ER and they open me up and say "what the hell is that?!"

I'm so against using those cards...so imagine how surprised I was when I GOT a discount (at Souplantation) because the cashier noticed that my card (which I kept right next to my driver's license in case of emergency) had a diagram of a stomach on it.

But I SELDOM go to places like Souplantation or buffets. They sell QUANTITY. That kind of picking and choosing helped me become obese. I now demand QUALITY.

There were only a few things I could eat at Souplantation when I was banded, and I essentialy stick to the same stuff now that I'm DS'ed. So, I can go here:

http://souplantation.com/locations/restaurant.asp?store_id=98&store_name=Irvine

and pay $9.00 (or $4.50) with a wls card and TRY to find stuff to eat that is satisfying...and go right home and look for some Protein I can eat...

or I can go here:

http://www.mrstox.com/menus/menus_entrees.html

and pay $35 or so, but have absolutely delicious meals, served on linen table cloths, with a piano playing softly and VERY attentive service and have leftovers that last for two more meals and be satisfied.

I realy think that those "feeding trough" places play into our weaknesses.

I got a card because my doc said if I am wanded at an airport it will go off. I travel frequently so I will be sure to keep it on me! Its also good in case I am rushed to the ER and they open me up and say "what the hell is that?!"

Mine never went off...and I thought it would, so I told security and was searched with a wand on several trips...but it never went off.

I have large tattoos and look "odd" I guess at the airport so I always get a double check. I did set off the wand and I'm glad I had my card to show. The woman at security had never heard of the band and she said she was going to suggest it to her sister that was MO. I play it safe and always carry my card. ~Mandy

I carry my card too and I also have a lot of metal in my neck and back and I've never set off one of those. Even coming back through customs from Mexico after surgery. Guess mines too deep. LOL

I do keep my card in my wallet in case of emergencies and wear a medic ID bracelet with it on the back of it as well. Better safe than sorry.

Am I wrong or is there something wrong with this thread? Going to an all you can eat place after being banded? That just doesn't seem like something one would do, kind of defeating the whole idea of the band as a tool. Maybe it's just me................................................

MrD, perhaps the family still likes to eat at those kind of places, and that is why people still go there.

I have to say I agree with those who say that when I went to buffets prior to my surgery and definitely ate more than the average person, I was never charged more because I was obese and ate more than everyone else. Therefore, if they refuse to charge me less because I have now had wls and eat less, that is ok too. I understand that, they are in business and have set prices. If they do allow me to order off the children's menu, or pay a little less, that is fine. However, if they don't, it is certainly not a deal breaker for me and does not mean I will never eat their again.

I went to a very nice and fancy buffet in Germany, it coast 26 Euros per preson, so I wanted to tell them about my band to get the discount, and I wish I did not.

The waiter kept going back and forth (about 5 times) to ask about my card, everybody around me noticed and started to give me funny looks, and finally the waiter came and said the :phanvan committee :phanvan approved my discount.

I felt horrible while everybody was looking at this fat american guy who wants to be charged less. Money is an object to me, but my self-esteem is worth more

I sworn that I'd never mention anything about my band in restaurants, buffet or any public place.

i am quite surprised to hear that golden coral did you that way. i go there quite frequently for lunch. the gc in my area offers carryout for lunch at 3.99 per pound. i can get a piece of grilled meat and a serving of veggies, or a salad for less that $2.

i have become a 'regular' in the place and all of the employees and managers know me, and my band. they are quick to oblige me, and when i show up there with my hubby or kids to sit down for lunch, they usually don't even charge me. (and i don't take advantage of that. i make myself a (banded) normal size meal of foods that i know i will eat. i always order iced tea when we sit down for a meal there, because i know that they won't charge me for my meal.

i guess the managers have the authority to apply these 'company policies' at their discretion.

I was never charged more because I was obese and ate more than everyone else. Therefore, if they refuse to charge me less because I have now had wls and eat less, that is ok too. I understand that, they are in business and have set prices. If they do allow me to order off the children's menu, or pay a little less, that is fine. However, if they don't, it is certainly not a deal breaker for me and does not mean I will never eat their again.

I agree. Also, it seems to me like it would be pretty easy to make a fake card and it's not like they have the staff to monitor you. From a business perspective, I can't see that it makes a lot of sense for restaurants to honor the cards.

I threw my card away when I got it. I feel the same as someone earlier on this thread. I don't want special treatment just because I had WLS. If price is an issue to me I will just stay home and eat as that is always cheaper than going out to eat. My 2 1/2 year old son always gets a meal off the children's menu and rarely ever eats hardly any of it. But I don't think I should get a discount because of what he did or did not eat.

I wish I knew how to start a poll. I think this would be an interesting poll. Something like,

Yes I deserve a discount at rest. because I had WLS. or

NO, I don't deserve one.