Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
Very true, when I first moved to Australia back in the 1970's, a large was simuliar to a small in America.
Now in Australia, its not uncommon to get a Large drink that is 1 litre (34 Oz) EXTRA large is ridiculously large. However I remember not so long ago (pre op) that is the drink I would go for!
Now I drink a litre of staminade (isotonic solution) over a 1 hour work out in the gym, I do not drink with my meals, even after 18 months I still find it difficult to find the room to drink on top of food, I have to remember to drink before I eat (at least 20 min) if I do not, I get real thirsty but can not drink!
Oh, and when I am in the States (I go every year) I LOVE IHOP, I am glad we do not have that here! (The sampler, I would share that with my son, Curtis who has also has a sleeve, we never could finish it, but we come close!)
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
:D I think I am the other one re the entree thing Di, In Australia and Entree is the course before the main, our starters are like canapes etc.
Scotty, my doctor gave me a letter like that a few years ago, I used it once at a large chain restaurant and never used it again. I found the restaurant handled the situation really badly and both my husband and I found it embarrassing. Yes I did get my discounted meal after the letter was read by management, the chef, the waitress and debated by all of them whilst a line of people formed behind me, then signed by the management to ensure I wouldn't go through that again(Making it only useful for that restaurant) but it left a bad taste in my mouth .
I am 2 years post op and I have found the best way to eat out is to leave the kids menu alone, I just don't like the style of meal they offer, they are geared to appeal to kids palates. I prefer to order an entree and sides of vegies that can be shared and let it come with everyone elses main. I have found that alot of entrees in Australia tend to contain a good amount of protein. I used to order a main but found my hubby would end up eating it, not good for his waistline.
I do agree regarding the not taking a box home, better to enjoy at the restaurant. My experience with the card/Letter thing isn't a good one and to be honest if I am out for a night out I am happy to leave food and deal with paying for the pleasure of a nice night out.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
Scotty,
THANKS SO MUCH for the cards!! I just printed one out for myself! YEA :)
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
I only really carry my card when overseas, when I am eating out every night especially if I am eating at the same place for a few days and mains are $45 and $60 dollars per night, it can really add up.
If you were standing in line to order your meal, I can understand what type of restaurant that must have been and therefore their ignorance to our situation. Please do not get me wrong, If it only so save a few bucks I would not bother.
On the one occasion I used the card in America, it was accepted without hesitation and we were treated without prosecution.
America is very accepting of bariatric patients, I feel they are better informed and generally have a good understanding of this issue and therefore more compassionate I believe.
As this epidemic rises in Australia, more people will become educated and hopefully will have the same compassion that I receive when overseas. With education comes understanding, with understanding comes compassion.
Lets hope!
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
In the last couple of years I have eaten out both overseas and in Australia, by standing in line do not think kfc or anything like that Scotty it was a proper restaurant and I was lined up to be seated, but wanted to give them a heads up before I sat down. And it wasn't to save a couple of bucks but more that I hate wasting food with full serves. The one experience I had with the card made me realise I prefer to just order entree size meals rather than explain to wait staff what is going on. The cards are a great idea though my experience is more a word of warning to people not to expect them to be accepted easily if the restaurant has never seen them before. Bariatric surgery just isn't accepted as a issue like allergies or other health issues which is a shame.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
20 years ago I worked with a woman who -- in her mid-40s -- still had her high school cheerleader figure. I was SO jealous. Until I started to pay attention. We'd go out for Mexican and I'd order a platter and she would order "One Taco, ala carte". Hello, that's why she was a 2 and I was a 22!! LOL
Anyhow, after my first WLS, rather than piddle with a card, or eat off the child's menu -- which, is often so revolting you don't even want it for your kids!!! -- if my DH isn't there to share with me, I order "one chicken breast grilled, ala carte" or somesuch.
Nobody ever bats an eye or asks me why, they just serve it. I think its probably more common among the THIN-world than we realize.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
In any of disease food always play a main role. If you are not carrying on a food then any time any of a disease can be occurred in your body. If the your body is continuously increasing a size that means your food is also major part for that. then you need to do some change in that. And if you got the thing like restaurant food is not suiting for your health then you need to change that.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
I was actually given a card by my surgeons office. I have not yet used it because I don't frequent restaurants that often. If I do I know my limits. And yes, I do take the rest of my meal home Ex: cheese and egg omelet I will eat it the next day. Again, I know my limits. Which I think we will all learn over time. The first time you get sick you will remember. I have yet to get sick due to overeating I've been sick due to the wrong food just not going down. But it may have been fine yesterday but not good the next time. Hope everyone is doing great on this great journey. I have hit the 'under 200 mark" and am very proud of myself. Thanks for showing the card I'm sure many people will benefit from it's use.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
My surgeon also gave me a card too for restaurants. I have no idea if I'll ever use it, but I did put it in my wallet.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
Even if you never use it, it is a good idea to keep such a card in your wallet. Heaven forbid there was ever a medical emergency and you could not speak for yourself, then doctors would be aware of your issues. I always keep a list of Rxs in my wallet, too.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
This link takes you to a website with other links that doesn't say anything about the card?....
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Scotty
OK, number 1, do not take anything home ever again, not for you, not for hubby not for kids, not for dog, not for next door, not ever!
You have one time to eat, that's it when you are full, you are done (If you take it home you can and you will finish it over time, that's a no no!)
THUS you can eat from the kids menu if you like (at my stage I do not worry about fat content anymore, it is simply meal size)
Because I (now) am picky about my food, I will (most times) tell them what I need and how I need it cooked, I eat what I can, then I am done.
When I am at a restaurant that is, lets say less obliging, I might order a kids steak, if I am by myself, or just an entrée.
Because my wife and son had had surgery, and when I am out eating with one or both of them we order 1 meal and share it.
Do not fall into the trap of "take home box" you will order less if you know it will be wasted, it takes time.
If I don't take the extra home I'm usually hungry 1-2 hours after I eat. I can eat something and be stuffed in the 20 min it takes me to eat...but 1-2 hours later I'm ready to eat again. What do you advise for that?
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
Thanks so much for making that up! It looks great! I plan to use it!!
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Scotty
I am an American born Australian, from Texas
I don't even know how this can happen. Wow.
Anyway, my doctors office gave me a card but I have never had to use it. I don't like the food on the child's menu as it is usually fried crappy stuff. I usually just order off the menu, eat what I want and take home the leftovers for another couple of meals.
Re: Get a Restaurant Card for Bariatric Surgery