I was just wondering when a person that has weight loss surgery, what do people do when going to a restraunt to eat that won't let leftovers be taken home? For example a place that does only a buffet or Huhot Mongolian Grill that you pick out what you want and they grill in front of you. For what you are suppose to eat it isn't worth the $ to pay full price.

Is there such a thing as a medical card to let people or restraunts know that you had weight loss surgery, that we won't eat as much and to get a reduce price?

I have to decide if the experience is worth the price.

For me, the experience is more than just the food, it is enjoying an evening out with friends.

Often, I will decide that it is worth full price and go and enjoy every minute, even if I don’t eat as much

Sometimes, I will ask the group if we can go somewhere else, and sometimes I will choose to stay home

In any case, I am choosing what is best for me.

Hope you will choose what is best for you.

I just take my own tupperware and fill it woth what I don't eat anyway. I paid for it, I'm taking it home. I've never been questioned ny staff or anything. But I agree that sometimes the food isn't the main thing when eating out,it's the experience.

The easy answer is: don't go to buffet restaurants. This is just not the best setting for someone trying to lose weight or for WLS patients who can't eat much.

But I realize that you don't always get to choose the restaurant, and if you end up in a buffet situation, you may need to adjust your mindset about food. Value isn't just about getting the biggest quantity of food for the money, or the most calories per dollar. You have to account for the value of your health. You don't get more value by eating more food. You get more value by eating an enjoyable meal in good company (I hope, if you choose to spend your time and money with whoever wants to go to the buffet!) that meets your health goals. Don't think of it as wasting money by eating less food; think of the value to your health of NOT eating excessive food. Even if I'm eating at a non-buffet restaurant, I will ask them not to give me the rice, bread, etc., even if it's included in the price of the meal, and it's worth getting less food for my money if it helps me maintain my weight loss.

Also, I have never heard of Huhot Mongolian Grill, so I had to look it up, and it looks freaking amazing. Too bad there aren't any locations anywhere near me!

Dining out can cause some issues post surgery not only if you’re still losing but also if you’re maintaining.

When you have no choice where you are eating or even if you do, there are some things to keep in mind I’ve found helpful: portion sizes and eating slowly. At a smorgasbord, instead of grabbing a large plate and filling it, take a smaller or side plate and put small tastes of food on it. All because others are getting up for seconds (or thirds), you don’t have to as well. Most places have online menus, so check those out before you go so you can identify some options or work out what modifications you may be able to request. At fine dining restaurants, the portion sizes are more appropriate so a main meal is usually fine. At others where portions are more generous, your appetisers are often a better option. You don’t have to order two or three courses just because others are. Best advice is to make the best food choices you can in the situation. It’s not like you’re making less desirable choices regularly & if you’re back on track after it will have little or no impact.

You have to be able to enjoy your life & that includes socialising with friends.

I think that it is not just buffet related as anywhere you eat out these days you are likely not going to get a good ratio of price vs what you manage to eat unless you can order just a starter and even those are sometimes too much for me.

If your family and friends support you and you do not want to go to a specific restaurant just tell them that or if you choose to go it is you are then deciding yourself that the experience is worth it (either for time spent with others or the flavour etc.). Also you are not obliged to eat, you could always have something yourself beforehand and then join the group, maybe even pick from someone elses plate :)

Also consider if you want to give business to a place that does not let you take home what you have paid for.

You have to make the choices that are best for you and that includes changing pre-surgery habits that likely contributed to weight gain to being with and in a lot of cases that comes down to food choices. It is hard but you can do it.

Personally I have not come across any places that don't allow left overs be taken home, though I am not in the US plus even before surgery I would never go to a buffet as too much risk of cross contamination from other customers. Sometimes when I eat out I don't mind leaving food behind on the plate occasionally if it doesn't suit me to ask for leftovers because I don't want to have to carry a container around town or whatever.

It depends on the price here in Texas if the buffet is like 15 or $16 I'll go ahead and pay the price and eat the food but lately the more expensive places I just drink water and talk to friends and family. It's no big deal... I'm not outrageous prices to eat four pieces of food be full! The most beautiful thing about my journey I'm about a year and a half out is that life is really not centered around food for me any longer so I do not mind accompanying anyone to a restaurant I may or may not eat

Edited October 14, 2025Oct 14 by Mspretty86

It's obviously difficult following surgery, so that's a pretty valid question.
Some choose à la carte restaurants, where you can choose smaller portions, instead of buffets, under those circumstances. Others concentrate on soft proteins or vegetables and simply eat slowly until they are happy, even if it's just a tiny quantity. Additionally, you could enquire if they have a "to-go" or kids' portion option. If you explain your circumstances, some restaurants will be understanding.

I have my medical card from bariatric pal that allows me to order off the kids menu which is cheaper and more portion appropriate. Chinese buffets won't let you take home leftovers for an obvious reason, but most of them have a takeout container in which you pay for your food by weighing it at the cash register. the only buffet in my town that offers a gastric bypass discount is Pizza Ranch and it is a substantial discount. it is my go to for buffet especially their chicken. I love Chinese buffet so when I go, I try to get a small sample of the things I like and make sure I set down my fork between bites and chew my food about 50 times b4 the next bite. those are what helps me to maintain my weight and still enjoy eating out. many times my wife and I will only order one meal at a restaurant and ask for an extra plate. it cuts your dinner price in half and there's usually no left overs.

as part of the demographic who has very limited stomach real estate, i am pretty picky about what i put in that stomach. i don't have a lot of room, so i make a pretty good effort to make sure whatever i put in there was worth eating. im not one of those who eat just to give myself fuel, i eat to taste yum stuff and enjoy what i'm eating.

with that said, i don't do buffets. in my opinion, way too much food that isn't really very good in the first place...its more about quantity than quality, right? i prefer to eat small bites of many (well cooked/conceived) things (tasting menus, dim sum, omakase, tapas, sharing menus, going to eat with large groups of friends/family so i can taste everyone's stuff, ordering a whole lotta apps to share vs. a regular 3-4 course meal.

its true, my way of eating is probably more expensive, and "wasteful" in other's eyes, but i long ago resigned myself that i am not going to eat unenjoyable things just for the sake of eating. i'm going to enjoy what i eat, or im not going to eat at all (which is also a strategy i often employ...i'll go out to eat or parties and choose to just drink cuz i'm not interested in eating any of the food offerings).

with that said, i do eat my fair amount of what many would consider junky and/or unhealthy. but i also eat yummy nutritious/healthy things as well. and it works for me. i'm 7 years out and i have stayed firmly below goal weight this entire time. In fact, i'm probably a little on the underweight side at the moment cuz i just came back from vacation (aside: i seem to always lose weight on vacay since wls...weird)...but i know i'll gain go back to my "regular" weight eventually, so it's all good.

i do do some sort of dedicated exercise for AT LEAST an hour a day, mostly 2 hours a day, and sometimes 3-4 hrs a day. so i'm sure that helps counter my eating habits/drinking habits.

sorry, i realize this was a really long post, lol. i'm feeling chatty today, ha!