When my sister had GB 12 years ago, the doctors gave her a meal card that gives her permission to order from a child's menu when she is at a restaurant. Do they do this when you have LB done as well?

CajunDisney

Yes, I was given one.

There is no such thing as a card that will give you permission. It's at the restaurant's discretion.

What they give is usually something along the lines of a card with the lap-band on it that states the card holder has an adjustable gastric band and can only eat 2 - 4 ounces at a time.

Some surgeons distribute these, some do not. Mine did but I have never used it. Childrens' menus usually consist of crap food that I don't want to eat (chicken strips, grilled cheese, hot dogs...). Plus, the few (maybe 2) times I have ordered from a childrens' menu, I've just told the waitstaff I'm not very hungry, asked if I could order a childrens' item, and had no problems. If it had been a problem, I would have just ordered a regular entree and made 3 meals of it.

Search for "card discount children menu" and you will find LOTS of threads on this same topic.

Thanks for the information & search tip!

I got one of these too. I prefer to just order off the adult menu and save the leftovers for 2-3 more meals...

Most places won't honor the card so I quit trying to use it. I just take the leftovers home with me now. That way I'm not wasting money or I share with my 10yr old daughter.

I have the card, but have never had to show it. I agree about the children's menu, but I do like to order off the senior menu when they have one. So far, no one has told me no.

I'm not too good about taking leftovers home because so many times I'm not going straight home and I have to worry about it going bad in the car while I shop or run errands.

It still bothers me to leave food behind. I try to feed it to everyone else. Lately I've tried splitting meals with DH and that's working pretty good for me. Plus its way cheaper!

My surgeon gave me a laminated meal card but I've never used it. It draws attention to myself while out to eat with friends and co-workers. I much prefer full portions, stopping when I'm full and taking the rest home.

I was given one. It states a bunch of stuff about how I've had a surgery that significantly reduces the size of my stomach, and then at the end it says "We request that you kindly allow this patron to order a smaller portion or to make a selection from your children's OR senior's menu. Thank you for your cooperation. ~Barix Clinics"

I may use it for senior menus, but probably not for children's menus. I'd prefer to not order from the regular menu once I get restriction. I HATE HATE HATE leftovers, so the card is more of a benefit for me than for other people. I read about people saying they'd rather order regular items off the menu...but that's just too much food since I won't eat the remainders later. I'm hoping when I do begin using it (not quite on regular foods just yet), it will be honored. I would hate to be forced to pay for food that I cannot eat in the first place. :regular_smile:

I was given one. It says something like I've had surgery that limits the amount of food I can consume and to allow me to order from age restricted menus. It's all official looking from the hospital. Only one place has given me a hard time about it. I find that kids menus often aren't the most nutritional even though they are smaller portions... so I usually order a regular meal and eat the left overs and lunch for a few days... the card is nice though.

I have one, and I've found that in most cases the children's menu SUCKS, or that their "discretion" means that they don't give a rip about your procedure, and you are stuck ordering off the regular menu. I still carry it, but I haven't used it in 11 months or so.

Haven't heard of a meal card, but I do have a card I can show at an airport. I've read that the hand held wands they use in airports can pick up the metal in our port and then you can show the card.

Haven't flown yet since surgery!

Me and my hubby are going to just share meals.. he usually takes half home for his lunch the next day anyway, so now he'll give me a small portion to share.. He'll eat anything but like pretty much the same stuff each time, so it will work out perfectly for us!

My doctor did show me the meal card to give to me, but like others have said, kids menu items seem to be crapola food.