Question:
I can't remember every diet I've tried over the past 35 years -- should I "fudge it"?

I've beendieting off and on for over 35 years. I can't possibly remember what I've tried, the year I tried it, how long I tried it, and how much did I lose. Some of the doctors I dieted under the care of have even passed away. I know that how I respond to this questionnaire is very important in winning approval from my HMO. Should I "fudge it" or what? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.    — Nancy G. W. (posted on February 16, 2000)

February 16, 2000
Hi Nancy - Before I could even get an appointment with my surgeon (my date is 2/23/00), they sent me an extensive questionnaire to fill out and mail back to them. You're like me ... you've been dieting for years. I put down dates of diets, the different types and weight lost. I indicated this at the start of the questions about weight loss history by writing in something like, "The dates and amounts lost are approximate." Two of the doctors I had seen in the past had died also. I just figured that for me, honesty was the best policy. I know for sure that I was off a few years or more when I listed all the diets I had been on. I don't know how it could be expected that anyone could remember all that stuff exactly! The fact is that you HAVE sufered through lots of diets and lost and gained and lost and gained, just like everyone on this website. Lucky for me, it turned out that I was approved by my insurance in eleven days, so I didn't have to validate the information anyway. Hope this helps you and I wish you the best of luck!
   — Martha O.