Buffet question for people with gastric bypass

[Deb & Bill]

I cannot let that go unanswered. Saying that an obese person chose to have the surgery is like saying that a bypass patient chose to have his/her surgery. For most people, gastric bypass is not a choice of an elective procedure. It is a matter of life and death. There is very stringent criteria that mst be met to be eligi ble for the surgery.

That sure isn't the reason for the people I know at work who had the surgery. They just didn't want to lose weight the old fashioned way. I seriously doubt that they were required to state this was a life and death issue to get the surgery.

 

[Lewisc]

I cannot let that go unanswered. Saying that an obese person chose to have the surgery is like saying that a bypass patient chose to have his/her surgery. For most people, gastric bypass is not a choice of an elective procedure. It is a matter of life and death. There is very stringent criteria that mst be met to be eligi ble for the surgery.

There are people who gain weight in order to qualify for the surgery.

 

[Lewisc]

delete

 

[DMRick]

Watching our friend who had the surgery eat is almost painful. She ate so little, that I actually left more than she ate (and I do pretty good with my food). She was charged children's portion at each place we went with them in Disney, that was a buffet (she has and did have to show, her card, except at the campground, where they believed her when she had left it behind). Of course if not a buffet, she was welcome to order off the children's menu, although usually, she would just order something small, and nutritional a la carte. She has to be very careful to eat a balanced meal (not easy with children's menu in Disney) with the small choices she has. I am positive they did not lose money on the amount she eats.

I can't imagine anyone wanting to need this surgery by gaining weight. Usually people have to lose a certain amount to be qualified for this surgery, at least locally here, where they have a section of a hospital just for this type of surgery. For another friends then 25 year old son, this was a life or death situation. Until you walk a mile in their shoes....well, you know the rest.

 

[bicker]

Until you walk a mile in their shoes....well, you know the rest.

As many of you know, I walked that mile. I was diagonosed with morbid obesity. My doctors' biggest concern was the impact that would have on my degenerative disc disease -- how quickly I would end up in a wheelchair.

I decided against gastric bypass, and subsequently did manage to lose 100 pounds, though using what many would consider a non-traditional method. Did I "choose" to fast? Yes, I did. Would I have become disabled if I wasn't successful losing weight? Yes. Might I have died? Yes. Was my decision about fasting really a choice? Yes, just like the decision to have gastric bypass is a choice for those who choose that method.

While it can be argued that the decision to lose weight is a "non-choice" -- the decision regarding how to lose weight cannot be presented that way. It is always a choice.

Beyond that: If I wasn't successful using the approach I used, would I have reconsidered gastric bypass? Of course. Would I have deliberately gained weight, if that were necessary to qualify? Probably.

I still struggle with my weight today. After you've been morbidly obese for 30+ years, overeating is second-nature. Would I appreciate a discount for smaller portions, instead of paying full price to eat a third of what's served? Yes, I would. Should I be offered that?

 

[Mad4Dizne]

that is interesting.

 

[bicker]

So I suppose my chances for a discount on account of my own weight issues is out of the question as well. I don't think either of us really had much basis on which to hold out such expectations, though.

 

[ducklite]

As many of you know, I walked that mile. I was diagonosed with morbid obesity. My doctors' biggest concern was the impact that would have on my degenerative disc disease -- how quickly I would end up in a wheelchair.

For the longest time I've wanted to congratulate you on your lifestyle change and consequential health benefits, just never had a good opportunity--I guess I do now--so MAJOR congratulations!

Anne

 

[ducklite]

I have a question--if someone who is obese can survive post surgery on small portions, why can't they just do that before surgery? Is it a lack of willpower? There seems to be no other reason other than refusal to take personal accountability. It just seems that a radical surgical proceedure shouldn't be required to end up with the same result--less food intake.

Anne

 

[bicker]

I wouldn't make that implication. I have always taken personal accountability for my decisions and my actions, but while I was obese, it was a lack of will-power that kept me obese, and even today I struggle. I don't blame anyone else. I take full responsibility. I am personally accountable.

Will-power doesn't come at the same price for everyone. Just because it comes freely or cheaply to one person, doesn't mean it should come as cheaply to another. To some of us, it is very expensive. It took more energy to lose the weight I lost than I have left; I wouldn't be able to go another round.

I'm having trouble replying directly to a PM, so I'll put the reply here...

My thought was Disney appears to be so accomodating to alot of other individuals for whatever reason, why not someone who has gone through the horror of cancer and cancer surgery. It is a horrid thing and the expense of adjunct therapy often bankrupts a person. Just trying to save them a bit of $$$, that is all.

It is an interesting suggestion, but I don't see a strong-enough connection between having suffered horrible medical challenges and getting a discount at a theme park restaurant.

 

[DMRick]

If you bring someone to Disney, that doesn't have the ability to eat, (from Cancer, or other dibilitating disease) I know of at least two cases, where even the smaller entertainment charge was not charged at a buffet. Disney does do a lot for Make a wish (give discounts) and other charity type organizations. So, if that is what you mean, yes they do offer some help...it's just that they do it through programs, sicne otherwise, it would be overwhelming for them.

Bicker, I think it's great you managed to lose all the weight without having ot have surgery. But as I'm sure you know, not everyone can, and in most cases it is a life or death choice. I certainly don't have a problem with people who have had surgery not having to pay the full amount, even if I did while if I were on a weight loss program. I have zero control, and if I was on weight watchers, or another program, I would have to stay totally away from a buffet in any case.

 

[maxiesmom]

I think it is wonderful that Disney is so sensitive to their guest's needs. I really hope that it isn't ruined by too many people complaining that they should have special treatment too. I could stand up and say that hey, I video all of the meals and so I only have time to eat 1 plate, so I should be charged a lesser amount. Maybe I am too cynical, but I can just picture people scrambling around to figure out how to take advantage of Disney's good will.

 

[Hades]

As a member of the weight loss surgery community, having lap-band surgery, having lost 203 lbs as of my weigh-in last week in little less than a year... I have one question are you asking about the price break for yourself or for someone else?

If it is for someone else, let me answer my opinion and what i have learned... no lived ...
Most of us, I hate the categorize but in this instance i have to, are more than willing to pay full price to stay "normal". On the psychological side, the majority of us have for years have tried to "hide" and not bring attention to us at a buffet ... so now that we are "normal" we don't want the attention on the other side...before you think you eat to much and now you ate too little.
We know what we can eat and what we can't. I went to Disney in September (first time in 20 years) and loved the character buffets and the taste of what i could eat not what i paid for what I didn't. The experience is what matters not the food.
I can not tell you what I ate at the buffets but I will tell you every moment that Tigger hugged my mother at Crystal Palace and Snow White and Esmeralda made me blush at the Princess storybook breakfast.
To paraphrase Bruce the Shark from Nemo , "Food is Fuel not Friends."

If the question is for yourself ... sorry for the rant and buy the dining plan so you don't have to worry about out of pocket costs.

Thanks for listening.... and that's "My view from the underground"

 

[bicker]

Bicker, I think it's great you managed to lose all the weight without having ot have surgery. But as I'm sure you know, not everyone can

My point wasn't about which approach folks use to getting healthy, but rather that there are many ways folks address that life-or-death decision, besides just gastric bypass, so why would one of these approaches warrant considerations that the other approaches don't?

The experience is what matters not the food.

That's exactly it. And as you pointed out, that's not just because the cost of food ingredients is a very small part of the cost of running a restaurant and serving a patron.

 

[Lewisc]

Gastric bypass can be verified via a doctors note. Those guests aren't likely to eat very much. I'm afraid if just being on a diet and saying you won't eat much was sufficient Disney would find a lot of people would take advantage of their generosity and would eat a lot more than anticipated.

We both know the food cost is a fraction of the cost of running the restaurant. I think Disney is providing the discount, to a very small group of customers, for goodwill. Without some type of discount those few guests who physically aren't capable of eating might eat elsewhere. Some (many?) guests who are just on a diet might just look at the buffet as an opportunity to "cheat".

At least some of the guests who are bypass patients or who are just on a diet are the same guests who previously loaded up at "all you care to eat" restaurants. Disney wouldn't generate any goodwill if they told some of those guests that since Disney didn't charge extra when they made multiple trips during their previous vacations they won't be providing a discount when they eat very little.

My point wasn't about which approach folks use to getting healthy, but rather that there are many ways folks address that life-or-death decision, besides just gastric bypass, so why would one of these approaches warrant considerations that the other approaches don't?

 

[Lewisc]

Would I appreciate a discount for smaller portions, instead of paying full price to eat a third of what's served? Yes, I would. Should I be offered that?

That's a good question. Some restaurants have gone to large portion sizes, sometimes to justify higher prices or at least to offer customers "value". Look at portion size in fast food restaurants.

Many people have been brought up to eat everything on their plate. It's certainly not Disney's fault but I have to think the large portion sizes at many restaurants, combined with the number of meals Americans eat out contributes to obesity.

Maybe a start is have smaller portion sizes but offer seconds. They could be offered for free or for a small additional charge. Pricing a reasonable portion meal might yield more revenue than the alternative of weight conscious guests sharing a meal or just ordering an appetizer for dinner.

 

[bicker]

Gastric bypass can be verified via a doctors note.

A non-governmental entity requiring documentary proof of disability is a violation of the ADA. I'm not sure how that translates into requiring proof of a medical condition that isn't even a disability, and I won't insult anyone by saying how "common" sense would dictate anything ... (This is part of Title III of the act. The places where the provision of Title III that prohibits requiring proof has been enforced by court action so far were in Texas (a resort), Michigan (a sports venue), and California (a sports venue). The provision is alluded to on MousePlanet with regard to getting Special Assistance Passes.)

I think Disney is providing the discount, to a very small group of customers, for goodwill.

Yes. As long as it stays a very small group of customers, that's a sound approach. If they don't or aren't permitted to require documentary proof, then it probably won't remain a small group.

Maybe a start is have smaller portion sizes but offer seconds. They could be offered for free or for a small additional charge.

A small additional charge would defeat the purpose of the currently huge portion sizes. The "free" seconds would be a more plausible idea, but even that has problems: It requires significantly more labor.

Pricing a reasonable portion meal might yield more revenue than the alternative of weight conscious guests sharing a meal or just ordering an appetizer for dinner.

"Might" but probably won't. There has been a lot of market research on this. Go to Vinny T's tonight, or Macaroni Grill, or Chili's, and you can see the results of that market research.

 

[KingdomHeartsFan]

I work in a buffet restaurant (non-Disney of course) and the only time we are allowed to charge a lower price for an adult with gastric bypass surgery is if the person has a signed note or card from their doctor requesting they pay the child price. Of course everyone I have ever encountered with this situation has been very polite about asking.

 

[gometros]

I believe I received the answer to my original question. I had not intended to turn this into a debate. I'm going to ask the moderator to close this thread.