Brazilian Town Offers Restaurant Discounts For Gastric Bypass Post Ops!

13 MAY 2012

Brazilian Town Offers Restaurant Discounts For Gastric Bypass Post Ops! (I swear I am not laughing.)

This is one of the longest-running dramas in the world of all things weight loss surgery - the thinking that,

"Since I don't eat much, I shouldn't have to pay much."  and the ever-answered question on message board forums, "Where do I get a restaurant card?!"

My opinion has always been,

"Please do not bring attention to yourself as a weight loss surgery patient by pulling out a discount card for your food at a restaurant.  It causes a most awkward situation, and I guarantee you will get the hairy eyeball, the up and down look and be told N-O."

Please understand that I am an eight year post op, married to an eight year post op, with two most WLS'ers in our immediate family, and if any of them whipped out a CARD AT DINNER I swear to you I would leave the table.  Or, at least snatch it away and tell the waiter to forget it.  OMFGDRAMA.

No.

Why?  Learning to live as a gastric bypass patient in a normal world is part of becoming normal again after surgery.  You have to learn to cope with situations you put yourself in.  

And, consider this:  If food is your addiction, WOULD YOU ASK FOR A DISCOUNT?

If you were an alcoholic, would you ask for a discount ON YOUR ALCOHOL?  "Because (you) don't really...drink much?"  

Think about food in that way for a second.  Do you buy in bulk any more to fulfill a food addiction, expecting a discount?  "If I buy a 4-pack of Oreos, they're much cheaper!"

But, if you are insisting upon paying less for your food - move to this Brazilian town - please to forgive the Google translation from Portuguese to English -

A bill requiring restaurants and bars to offer 50% discount for people who have experienced some type of stomach surgery enters the second vote on Monday (7), the City Council of Campinas (SP). The proposal was authored by councilor Francisco Sellin (PMDB) and, accordingly, the position of the Board should prove favorable vote, but in the city, the project divides.

According to Alderman, the proposal arose from experience with people who have had bariatric operations, reduction of the stomach."She [the person] is not enough to eat half, then it is not fair to pay full price," he says. If the law is passed, the establishments must offer a discount or half portion for customers who prove through a card-carrying medical certificate or have surgery. In addition, the restaurants will be forced to put posters in visible places, informing customers about the new law.

That there is special.

Via - G1

I am a recent RNYer and never asked for a card.  What I have been doing is taking home the leftovers for another meal.  or if with my buddies I just move the food I intend to eat to one side of the plate and let them eat the rest (in addition to their regular meals).

Children's menu are crappy.  I try not to eat out too often because it s a waste of money and I don't do well with leftovers.  Other night we had family dinner out for my brother's 50th birthday, I ordered an all american cheeseburger, cut it in half, then cut halve in half and was only able to eat half of a half. 

I prefer eating at home.

I love love love going to Applebees with my family. It isn't the food. It is the COMPANY. That is the entire reason I like going places and doing things, unfortunately, most involve food. However, my children are wonderful little things and make excellent choices. The other day at Applebees, I ordered the chili lime shrimp thingie dish with no rice. My three kids ordered 1)steak 2) grilled chicken sliders-no bun with broccoli and 3) cheeseburger sliders- no bun with applesauce. UMMMM aren't these the BEST KIDS EVER?!?! When the waitress looked at us like we were horrible parents for making our kids order healthy, they ignored her and kept asking me if they could have my leftover shrimp because shrimp was "super low in fat and carbs"!!!! LOL Oh, I love my kids. ANDDDD I hardly have leftovers anymore....I can eat what I want (never ends up being a full 4 oz because I am only 1 month out and get full too fast), but my whole night is made because that seems to be the only time my family can slow down and have long conversations. OHH, and does it bother me that my kids are making super healthy choices that will help them get control of their weight and health early so that they won't be morbidly obese like me or diabetic like their dad?? UMMMM NOPE!!! I am glad they picked up these dietary changes and I will continue to pay the full amount at restaurants because I don't want my kids to think there is a special "prize" associated with being overweight. I want them to be NORMAL and being NORMAL is the entire reason I had surgery!!

I pullz out my card at the buffet. My family is addicted to the buffet and I'm sorry but I REFUSE to pay full price. Interestingly enough, they have a special register button. It is called "medical buffet."

Even funnier. I didn't get the hairy eyeball when I was larger but now I get the "suspicious hairy eyeball." But I do truly only eat one plate and that plate is usually mostly salad.

 Nik

Which Bmore buffets do you go to? I think I would do the card thingy at a buffet if I knew beforehand that they would give me a price reduction without the hairy eyeball. My kids are also fans of the buffet and I can't stand paying $12 for a 1/2 plate of food. 

Golden Corral in Glen Burnie has always honored my card AND they have healthy menu selections that are clearly marked (green tags instead of blue and they have the nutrition info on them). Plus, they have FOUR different NSA or sugar-free dessert options. I often don't have room for dessert but darn it...I COULD! And just having the option is nice.

 Medical buffet.

Medical.  Buffet.

I personally like the doggie bags.  I get three meals for the price of one.  Right after my surgery my husband found it necessary to tell the waiter staff about the surgery, but I told him how uncomfortable that made me and he stopped. I no longer want to be the center of attention for my weight or any other reason.  I do not want a discount card.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions.  Part of the surgery for me was learning how to eat right and make the right choices.  I trust myself without having to be served a smaller portion.

I don't use my card, I just order healthy or if I am at a buffet, I get protein first , then veggies that is about all I can handle, If I am at a restaurant when they bring me my meal, I get a box and put half  of my food in it and bring it home and hubby takes it to work, I do not eat leftovers anymore, just don't do well with it . I much rather just eat at home anyway, We have went to Golden Corral a couple of times, I can only eat one plate or I will get some soup and a salad it all depends, but I don't mind paying for my 1 plate of food, I use to  try and eat at least 3 plates to get my monies worth or so I thought.. Now I eat healthy and I feel I am getting my monies worth, because I am satisfy