Gastric bypass and Disney dining...anyone withexperience?

[Somedaysingleagain]

I had gastric bypass surgery in October. I called to make an ADR at Chef Mickey's for our June trip. I asked the CM if I would be able to purchase a child's plate for myself and she said it would be up to the restaurant staff. I can't see paying an adult price for the buffet when I am only going to be able to eat a tablespoon of food. LOL

If you have had gastric bypass surgery and have been to Disney since, what was your dining strategy?

 

[eeyoresbestfriend]

HI! I had my gastric bypass surgery 3.5 years ago now-BEST decision I ever made, 120 lbs down, and I feel wonderful!!
I may be in the minority here, But I just go and pay the full price, I still do not eat even as much as a child really, but I feel like this was a choice I made for me, and my husband and kids love to eat there, and many other restaurants, so we go, pay the price and I enjoy myself. I always feel good when I see the amount of food they eat, knowing 3 years ago I owuld have eaten more than that, but I am very satisfied with my small plate of "sample sizes!"
We went to Disney World and on a Disney Cruise about 6 months after I had my surgery and pretty much just ate where DH and the kids wanted to and I enjoyed the company. We are DVC owners now, and usually get the deluxe dining plan my DH and kids really enjoy the flexibility, and I usually order an appetizer for my meal and a dessert that everyone picks off of too- I guess people would say we are wasting money, but it is the way we like to do it- and we go in with our eyes wide open as to what I will eat and what I will not eat.
Like I said, I may be in the minority of Gastric Bypass patients, but I look at meal times more now as a time to spend with my family and catch up ont he day , vacation etc.

On another note- Congrats on the surgery and good luck with the hard work you will put in! Hope things are going well for you!

 

[Eeyore's Buddy]

My surgeon supplied me with a credit card sized card that states I have had bariatric surgery and to please allow this person to order off of the child's menu.

When I ask and the waitperson is not sure, I show the card and have never been refused the menu item I wished, including the Disney restaurants.

Good luck with your weight loss!

(down 72 lbs in 6 months)

EB

 

[XxStaceFacexX]

I had the lapband and I too can not eat a whole meal but I get the dining plan and we usually share. It's not possible to do this at a buffet so I just eat what I can and pay the full price. I know if you get a letter from your doctor that you need the kids meals they will probably accomidate. I usually buy a kids meal out of pocket and let DFiance use my counter service. It works for us

 

[RMulieri]

I know from listening to several bariatric pts on these boards that disney will allow you to order off the childrens menu at a la carte Ts places and Cs places.The Buffets( esp character buffets) generally charge full adult prices because of the entertainment factor, and it is difficult to determine exactly how much a person has eaten at a buffet.Even with the Dr note , they may charge you full price.I know that some people have reported being able to pay the childs price, but it is up to the discretion of the restauarant, and most people were denied and charged adult pricing.

 

[just another guy]

My surgeon supplied me with a credit card sized card that states I have had bariatric surgery and to please allow this person to order off of the child's menu.

When I ask and the waitperson is not sure, I show the card and have never been refused the menu item I wished, including the Disney restaurants.

Good luck with your weight loss!

(down 72 lbs in 6 months)

Those cards are such scams. I know numerous server at Disney who have sene people use those cards and eat 3 plates full of food. As always, disney won't call anyone on it though. Disney will charge you as a child at the buffet, but I still think its proper to tip off the adult price.

 

[Inkmahm]

HI! I had my gastric bypass surgery 3.5 years ago now-BEST decision I ever made, 120 lbs down, and I feel wonderful!!
I may be in the minority here, But I just go and pay the full price, I still do not eat even as much as a child really, but I feel like this was a choice I made for me, and my husband and kids love to eat there, and many other restaurants, so we go, pay the price and I enjoy myself. I always feel good when I see the amount of food they eat, knowing 3 years ago I owuld have eaten more than that, but I am very satisfied with my small plate of "sample sizes!"
We went to Disney World and on a Disney Cruise about 6 months after I had my surgery and pretty much just ate where DH and the kids wanted to and I enjoyed the company. We are DVC owners now, and usually get the deluxe dining plan my DH and kids really enjoy the flexibility, and I usually order an appetizer for my meal and a dessert that everyone picks off of too- I guess people would say we are wasting money, but it is the way we like to do it- and we go in with our eyes wide open as to what I will eat and what I will not eat.
Like I said, I may be in the minority of Gastric Bypass patients, but I look at meal times more now as a time to spend with my family and catch up ont he day , vacation etc.

On another note- Congrats on the surgery and good luck with the hard work you will put in! Hope things are going well for you!

I'm very similar to you. Gastric bypass about 28 months ago and doing very well. I'll nibble from an appetizer, eat part of an entree and sometimes can eat a spoonful or two of dessert. I never ask to pay anything other than the adult cost for my meals. I never order from the Disney childrens menu mostly because the food for kids is terrible for me- fried chicken fingers, pasta, burgers, fries, etc. Not healthy food at all!

 

[Inkmahm]

I had gastric bypass surgery in October. I called to make an ADR at Chef Mickey's for our June trip. I asked the CM if I would be able to purchase a child's plate for myself and she said it would be up to the restaurant staff. I can't see paying an adult price for the buffet when I am only going to be able to eat a tablespoon of food. LOL

If you have had gastric bypass surgery and have been to Disney since, what was your dining strategy?

By June, you'll be able to eat much more than a tablespoon of food. No where near what you ate before surgery, but more than you probably think. Part of the cost of eating there is the entertainment from the characters. I"d look at it as paying for that entertainment and getting some food (which is actually pretty good) with it.

 

[Little_Sister]

I had LAP-BAND surgery back in July of this year...

I don't know if this will work for you and your family but...

my boyfriend and I aren't planning on using the dining plan this year when we go...now we just order a regular adult appetizer and entree and we split it. He gets about 3/4 of each...so he's full, yet not miserable...and I have more than enough to eat. I think we actually save money this way and we eat anywhere we want.

Of course we don't have kids to consider...so going this route might not be cost effective for you guys...but I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents.

Congratulations by the way for taking the step!! I wish you all the best of success!