How do I chronicle my dieting and weight losses over of roller-coastew years?

Good morning all! I have begun completing paper work for Dr. Aranow. But there is a series of questions in there that asks for deails on the names/types of diets I have attempted? It also wants to know the amount of weight lossed and regained... I'm having a difficult time with this. Obviously, I haave no problem with listing the diets done in the past 5 years. Beyond that, I'm drawing blanks...I ust can't remember . Yet I know that Dr. A. is looking for details, but I just can't remember all of my past dieting efforts. What's a guy to do? Especially, when i've never been that concerned about the actual numbers; instead, my main concern was whether I could get back into a suit or a pair or slacks that wouldn't make me feel like was trying to fit into a spandex scooba diving wet suit. Any and all suggestions wil be greatly appreciated ! Thank you, Ken P.

Hi Ken I already emailed you private about this SMILE! Kathy K

Hi Ken, Welcome to the world of WLS! I am just a bit further in my pre ops than you are, but just recently filled out that same form! I just thought about when I truly started to diet and went from there, posting everything from when I attended Weigh****chers or did the dreaded sauerkraut diet! If you don't acutally know the exact "numbers in lbs" that you lost, try to estimate. If your pants were tight, and you lost 10 lbs and it made them a bit more loose, there's your estimate. Dr A just wants to see that you have truly tried to diet in the past and now am taking the time to show this. And he's trying to show to ins that dieting just doesn't work for you. For instance, way back 20 years ago when I was a lot thinner and only had ten to twenty pounds to lose, I'd usually just gain that back. But, lately, since I've gained SO much weight, I showed on that paper the gradual increase in weight and how much I would lose and then gain back and the "then some" figure. It's nothing to be really stressed about, just estimate and show that you've tried over the years...that's what he's looking for...Also, if you've ever done the stupid fad diets, put those down too... A good thing to go by is think back to a year and how much you weighed then...start there with that weight, and with the dieting over the years, and continued weight gain, list (in order) the diets and how much you've gained over the years. I hope this doesn't sound confusing. It's the last thing I want to do for you...I know it's a nervous and stressful time, but also exciting that you're thinking of changing your life for the better, forever! Hope to meet you at a support group meeting sometime. Also, you will really like Dr A's first visit. He's kind and informative (though, he can't get any more informative than that first seminar) and explains everything. Paula done with inintial surgeon visit done with PCP clearance visit done with psych visits having endoscopy tomorrow having nut. meeting and gall bladder u/s on 8/8 then, can get approval and set an Oct date!

Hey Ken, Just do the best you can, I don't think Dr. A will be upset if you can't remember everything you have done over the years. You can always get copies of your past medical files from your PCP, they might of kept record for you. Just put down all you can remember and take it from there. You will do fine, and you will succeed at this. Take care kiddo KimC