Bariatric Menu Request Cards For Restaurants, Travel, And Everyday Dining

You’ve had the surgery. Now comes the harder part—explaining it, over and over.

You sit down to order. The meal sounds good, but the portion will be too much. You’ve already had gastric sleeve surgery. You know what you can handle—and what happens if you go over.

You could try asking for a smaller portion. Maybe even something from the kids’ menu. But then comes the part you didn’t sign up for: explaining your surgery to a stranger who might not even be allowed to say yes.

This is exactly why people carry menu request cards.

What Our Menu Cards Say And How They Help

A menu request card is a small printed card that politely explains that you’ve had weight loss surgery and need a reduced portion size. It usually asks to either be served a smaller meal or to be allowed to order from the children’s menu.

You hand it over before ordering. The message speaks for itself—short, respectful, and direct.

Asking For A Smaller Meal After Gastric Sleeve Or Bypass

It depends on the restaurant—but without a reason, most won’t allow it. Many chains and independent places have policies against adult orders from the kids’ menu, even if you offer to pay full price. Some will make an exception for a medical reason—but you’ll often have to explain that reason in front of other people.

That’s where these cards help. A short printed explanation is often taken more seriously than a verbal request. It also helps staff justify making the exception without needing a manager.

When A Menu Request Card Is Useful

These cards are helpful in more places than you'd think. They’re used at:

• Sit-down restaurants with fixed menus

• Buffets where smaller portions are hard to manage

• Resort dining rooms and cruise ships

• Fast-casual counters where there’s no time to explain

• Family gatherings where you don’t want to talk about your surgery

• Business lunches where you'd rather keep things private

You don’t need to explain your life story every time you order. One card gets the message across without a conversation.

Personalized Menu Request Cards With ID Options from The Card Project US

Some people prefer a card that includes their name—or a photo—to make their request feel more like an ID. These are useful when you’ve had pushback in the past or just want the message to carry more weight. We make the following personalized Menu Request ID Cards.

Available Options:

Menu Request Weight Loss Card Double-sided card with photo, name, date of birth, and a signature panel. It includes a flag and a smaller version of your photo on the back.

Menu Request Photo ID Card A single-sided card with photo and name, next to your message.

Menu Request ID Card A single sided name-only version without a photo. Discreet but still personal.

All three cards say the same thing—just in different formats, depending on how you prefer to explain your needs.

Awareness Cards For People Who Prefer Privacy

Not everyone wants to carry something with their name or photo. That’s where our awareness cards come in. These are anonymous, single-sided cards with a short message and a clean visual design. You choose the look that suits you—each card says the same thing in a way that’s clear and polite.

Available Designs:

Bariatric Patient Special Menu Request Card Colorful, food-themed design with a message that mentions a recent surgery. Direct but respectful.

Menu Request Design 3 Bright card with a fruit and vegetable background. Uses the wording “for medical reasons.”

Menu Request Design 4 Bold design with darker tones. Often chosen by men but neutral enough for anyone.

Menu Request Design 5 Soft design with a casual dining feel. More popular with women.

Menu Request Design 6 Pop Art design for Women

Menu Request Design 7 Pop Art design for Men

All of our Personalised Menu Request Cards and Awareness Cards are credit card sized, fit in a wallet or phone pouch, and can be used as often or as rarely as you need.

Real Problems These Bariatric Dining Cards Help Solve

“I get embarrassed asking for less food.” The card makes the request for you, with no eye contact and no long explanation.

“Staff always say no when I ask for the kids’ menu.” Seeing it in writing often changes the outcome.

“I hate explaining my surgery at the table.” The card keeps that part private.

“I’ve been told to order a full meal or leave.” A printed medical request is harder to dismiss.

“I just want to eat without drama.” That’s the whole point of the card.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bariatric Menu Request Cards

Do I need a bariatric menu request card after gastric sleeve or bypass surgery?

You don’t have to carry one, but it can make dining out much easier. A gastric sleeve or gastric bypass reduces how much you can eat—so if you often need to explain that to restaurant staff, a card helps avoid repeating yourself.

Will restaurants accept a weight loss surgery restaurant card?

Many do. While it’s not guaranteed, a polite printed card explaining your reduced appetite due to surgery is often more effective than a verbal request—especially when asking to order a smaller portion or something from the kids’ menu.

Should I choose a personalized bariatric ID card or a generic awareness card?

If you want your request to feel more official, a personalized card with your name (and photo, if preferred) may be better. If you’d rather stay anonymous, a generic awareness card gets the message across clearly with no personal details.

Is a portion control card the same as a medical alert card?

No. A bariatric portion request card is used in restaurants to explain dietary needs after surgery. It’s not for emergencies and doesn’t replace a medical alert ID.

Order A Gastric Bypass Menu Request Card That Speaks For You

You don’t need to justify your order. You don’t need to explain your stomach size. You’ve already made the biggest change—this just helps you live with it.

Pick the card that fits your voice, and use it when you need to be heard without saying a word.