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I have looked at the children's menu before in restaurants . . . and now I see why we are such an obese country. Options are like grilled cheese, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, burgers and fries, chicken nuggets and fries, etc. There is not much healthy on most children's menus at most restaurants. Why is that???

I think the sad truth is they put on the menu what people will order. Those items, with the addition of hot dogs, are the main staple of the American youth.

I think surgeons refer that this as "job security."

Brad

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I have a card, that was given to me at my first fill appointment. I use it at buffet style restaurants, and have had no issue with using it at all. In those cases, I don't eat anywhere near what I used to! And doggy bags are not an option there. In other restaurants where I can get a doggy bag, or a to go container---I never use it, and I take my leftovers home.

Now if one of the places I wanted to go and use it would not allow it, I would go anyway. The company and the outing is more important to me now than the food!! LOL

And I am sure there were times the buffet style places lost money on me pre band!

I read on a similar thread awhile back about a bandster who was put out that they did not honor her card, and she said she filled no less than 20 plates heaping full and left them sit on the table. Those kind of actions will ruin it for everyone.....I hated reading that! What a waste!

A couple of weeks ago, we met our family at Golden Corral for Breakfast. We do it once a month or so, meet there, eat, and then we can all go our separate ways. We get to see one another, no one has to cook or clean, and each family pays their own way. In our group was myself, my SIL, and a niece and we are ALL banded. And the cashier was a young man, no more than 22-23 years old, and terribly obese. He ask us tons of questions, and is actually interested in the surgery!

Kat

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With great respect for your opinion, I don't care what people I will never see again think. (within reason)

One of my favorite restaurants that is sort of a buffet style is called Mongolian BBQ. You can get some very healthy tasty choices, but its pricy. They also don't allow carry out, so I feel using the card here is a win/win for us and the restaurant.

Love that place!!!!!!! Haven't been to ours in a long time!!! That sure would be a good place to have a card! I don't have a card, but when I went out I asked them to box up half of my meal before they brought it to the table.

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Well, I am in the same school of thought of others... I don't show it... I have it in case of medial emergiencies, but never take it out.

The way I see it, I don't want special treatment because I made the choice to be banded. If the restaurant doesn't allow adults to order off the children's menu, then I should respect their rule, just as I would expect the restaurant owners to respect my rules if they came to record a CD at my recording studio.

I certainly would not ask a minimum wage employee such as a waiter/waitress to bend the rules, and ask them to see their supervisor if they didn't. That is just rude (I know no one in this thread has gone to this area, but I am anticipating, since these sort of conversations usually get to that point).

So no, the card stays in my wallet.

Personally, I am a former buffet eater who hasn't been to one since banding, just because I don't see a way to get my money's worth. If I go to restaurants, I get a doggie bag.

But since I am a great cook, as is my wife, I am enjoying us having more family meals at home. In that way, the band is bringing our family closer together.

Getting off my soapbox now.

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Never got one of those, but if I had I doubt I would use it for a number of reasons;

1. Kids menu are no where as good as the regular menu. If I go to out to eat I don't want chicken nuggets or a hot dog and mac & cheese.

2. Its nobodies business why I only eat 1/3 of a meal and take the rest home.

3. Doggie bags and leftovers!

-----------------------

Buffets are worthless to a banded person, they don't allow doggie bags and you can't eat enough to justify the money IMHO.

Edited by mnn2501

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I didn't get a card, but I honestly don't think I would use it if I did. I don't want to advertise that I am banded. I can either take food home with me or leave it on the table. I haven't actually been out to eat since banding. I would rather control my portions at home.

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I have it but I don't think I can remember using it. When we go to eat, sometimes I will mention to the waitress that I had surgery and can only eat a small amount of food, and therefore would like to share a plate with my daughter. I have never been told no. And, one plate of food between my daughter and I is usually more than enough for both of us.

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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