FYI

Just found out that if you have had lap band that you recieve 25% a buffet at any Souper Salads. They said something about having a medical card (never heard of that but i'll ask the dr. about it at my post op)

Hey guys,

Thanks to those of you who posted yours cards! I had no idea there was such a thing. You would think that my surgeon, who has a great reputation and was banded himself, would have mentioned this to me! I will be calling the office. Not only is the buffet card a good idea, but I think a medical card is necessary.

I try to avoid buffets - Pre-band I'd get sick every time I'd go to a buffet. Now it is a waste of money for me. We always go out to eat for Birthday's. My eldest DD's was a couple weeks ago and she wanted to go to Ryans. I gave in since it was her choice. It is the whole family "clan" - There are about 20 of us - buffets are convenient. I hadn't been to a buffet since being banded. I got the kids buffet as well. I explained to the cashier and she said it was fine. I've found most places are pretty agreeable about ordering of the kids menu/kids price.

More restaurants are expanding their kids menus as well. They aren't just chicken fingers and corndogs. The last couple of times we've been out I've gotten grilled chicken. They have side salads as well (although I don't eat salad). I think they are looking for healthier alternatives for our kids as well.

I don't have a "Get Out of Jail Free" Dining card. If I did I'm sure I'd use it. Usually an explanation is enough. I haven't been turned down yet.

I was banded last Wed (20 Aug) and we went out last night for DD's birthday. She chose a Japanese habatchi place. I ordered a bowl of Miso soup and used my fork to strain out the tofu, onions and seaweed. DD ate all of that. I ate about 1/3 oft he bowl of Miso and didn't feell ilke I was missing anything. We all just had a good time.

Let's just all stay away from buffets. Buffets are not our friends, were not our friends and will never be our friends.

Dionna,

I frequent buffets a lot and I don't have a problem anymore. I have learned how much I am able to eat and I stick with that guideline. I hope you will be able to learn how to eat more easily. I don't even have to grab small plates anymore because I can only eat the amount that I am able to eat. It may help you to rethink why you eat. I eat to live and not live to eat............

Please don't think that I am a sassy pants but I get it now. I know what it takes to be of a normal healthy weight. I have a certain food type that is my enemy and like an alcoholic I will never eat it again and I am okay with that also it isn't healthy food.

It is unfortunate that we see ourselves having to pay the full price on food but think of the people who eat like us and never had a weight problem. They have always paid the price without question so why should we be any different.

I know this is very touchy but why should we be any different than others?

Josephine

Hi Josephine

I was thinking the exact same thing. Most "normal" sized people I know cannot finish a "chain restaurant" portion. When I have travelled in the US, the portions are even bigger than they are here in Canada.

When I hang out with my normo friends, I eat about the same amount as they do.

As for the buffets, I KNOW that when I went in the past I ate WAY MORE than I paid for. If I eat less than I pay for now, it just works out even.

Imagine if these same restaurants charged a surcharge when we ate too much. "Excuse me ma'am, but you ate twice as much as we figure a normal person should, so we have added a 25% fatness surcharge"

Also, be careful of the childrens menu, in the local restaurants around here, it is usually frozen food or crap or both, thinks like chicken nuggets/pepperoni pizza/mac&cheese.

What I have found to be very effective is to order an appetizer instead of a meal. I have also learned that it is not a crime for a plate to go back to the kitchen with some food left on it.

Just my humble opinion!

We were at Golden Corral the other day and they said that particular location had stopped allowing the child's price because "a couple people decided to eat more than they were supposed to" I told the lady kindly that it was very short sighted of them to alienate an entire group of customers because of a couple of cheaters but she didn't care. Since we were already there we went ahead and ate and I payed full price for a small scoop of mac and cheese, one stalk of califlower, and about a 2 inch circle of taco meat and cheese. I was very tempted to fill a couple more plates and pick at them and leave them sitting there but that would have been very nasty of me. I guess it was the lady's attitude, by the look on her face she was clearing lumping me in with those who took advantage and it made me feel humiliated.

Carino's and Red Robin on the other hand have been very gracious about letting me order from the kid's menu and they have nice choices, not just chicken nuggets.