Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Meal Card...anyone heard of this?



Recommended Posts

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

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.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Liz R

      Trying to update my ticker - I'm down 100 pounds!! 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • alisasings

      I joined BariatricPal in 2008 & I FINALLY made the descision to have WLS!! I'm so excited & not sure what I need to do to get the ball rolling, but I made an appointment with my PCP for 7/19. It's a start I guess.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Elnaz

      Losing weight is my dream
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • OhMyGawdItzKla

      I joined yesterday when I was struggling with this preop diet... 
      It typically comes and goes, the hard times and easier times. I'm on day 6 of 14  shakes, water, sf Popsicles and jello. And I might actually be losing my mind. But, oh dear lord has the fear set in. Not about the surgery itself, but life afterwards. If I feel this crappy on the preop diet, am I going to feel like this forever after? 
      I know most of the answers are no, not forever. It might be worse after for a while, then get better. I know it's a more of a mental challenge than physical after the first couple weeks of healing. I get all of that. But I'm starting to feel scared about losing myself afterwards. 
      It might be my hormones or desire to chew something salty talking.. It may go away soon or tomorrow.. I can hope, anyway. But right now.. The fear is real. 
       
      And this liquid diet can bite me. 
      · 2 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Fear is normal, but if it makes you feel any better, I'm 4.5 months post-op and the pre-op diet was by far the hardest part of the whole process. There will be challenges and a lot of new things to learn, but I can honestly say at this point I feel so much more "back to normal" and was even able to go on a week-long vacation with my kids without stressing over it. It's so worthwhile.

      2. OhMyGawdItzKla

        @NickelChip This actually does make me feel better! Thank you so much! After the onslaught of Covid, we've all had to deal with a "new normal", so I know it's possible. It's just the fear and frustration in this moment that makes me question if I can find another "new normal" afterwards. The thought of just a few more months seems daunting some times, but I really do appreciate input and real experience. I'll use that to get me through for a few more hours! LOL. Thank you so much! And I'm glad everything is going so well for you! ❤️

    • mamabear30106

      I started my 10 day pre op diet yesterday I need flavor!! I'm not big on the chocolate protein shakes so I just got to use up what I have was thinking about freezing it to make it like a ice cream so its something I can chew a little. Idk this is hard but I know I can do it just need to find new things to try 
      · 1 reply
      1. JennyBeez

        You can try. I've read other people have had good results with protein-shake popsicles, etc. My personal experience with it? Sucked.

        I tried making 'fudgesicles' with a couple different flavors of a premade shake, as well as a protein powder I blended myself and all of them came out revolting? The powder ones, all the protein sunk to the middle; the premade shakes, the popsicle had a disgusting texture and the protein seemed to leave a weird fluffy film on the outside? I couldn't stomach it.

        Maybe look into flavoring additives? I was able to have sugar-free coffee /soda syrup flavorings, sugar-free drink flavorings and baking additives like almond, rum or pepperment extract. The extracts helped me the most as they added no extra sweetener.

        On the other hand, if you can get your hands on an unflavored/unsweetened protein powder, the syrup flavorings are perfect. I love to use Boost "Just Protein" (which is unflavored) with milk and a Chai-flavored sugarfree syrup.

        Good luck!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×