My doctor and nutritionist both recommend in the 50 to 70 range.

I feel your frustration. I think the process that gets us to surgery is half the battle! I had insurance woes and had started my 1st week of pre-op dieting awaiting final approval for my tentative surgery date. They let me know half way thru it that I couldn't have the surgery scheduled until after July. I scrambled to get my appt rearranged, not to mention my schedule and workload reorganized. I was also upset to find out my primary Dr. hadn't faxed all the records to the surgeons office and they needed it like yesterday! Luckily, some fabulous staff at the Dr.'s office and health & benefits were able to "do their magic", I got rescheduled for 2 weeks later (someone was happy to be bumped up for surgery!). I was pretty upset for a few days, but the time really has gone by fast and I've tried to look at the "bright side". I've wanted this SO badly for so long, that to see it might actually be attainable is mind blowing! You ARE fortunate your Dr. is being thorough---just stay determined, ask questions and follow up! Good luck

My surgery has been postponed to sometime after an appt with a blood specialist on 7/23. I am grateful that Dr. Lautz is being so thorough but aggravated that the staff did not provide him with the letter from my mother's dr that stated there is a genetic factor 5 blood clotting disorder and that siblings and children should be made aware. I faxed it in and made a folow up call well before my final pre-op appt so this could have all been avoided espeically since it wasn;t even in my file when i went in for my last tests. Just angry and venting because I was so mentally and physically prepared for this and it just isn;t going to happen right now and I need to get over it. I am much better than yesterday- I was a puddle yesterday and I am hearing everyone say- everythig happens for a reason- I get that and I hear it loud in clear but all that doesn;t change the fact that I have to change dr's appt, daycare issues, 2 job schedules, court dates, etc. Just a real aggravation cause i did my part all the way. Oh well Good luck to you all and please keep us all posted in how you are doing Andrea

July 21st

Jan, Thanks for the encouraging words - I'm feeling more positive b/c I know that positive thoughts are better for healing than negative ones. Good luck w/your surgery - you will be in my prayers for a successful surgery and the start of your new life. Jackie