Question:
Should I give my own blood, just in case?

I have just been approved by my insurance company!!!! Now I am wondering if I should give my own blood in case I need it during or after the surgery. How much should I give and how long does it take to build it back up before you can actually have the surgery?    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 13, 2002)

February 13, 2002
The need for blood transfusions with this surgery is rare. I've only read about a couple or three instances and I've been reading everything on this site for about 6 months. When you consider the number of surgeries that have been done in that length of time, the percentage is probably less than 1%.<P>Having said that, one of the instances was a close friend of mine who just had surgery about 10 days ago. Her blood didn't clot after the surgery like it should have. By the time they realized what had happened she had lost enough blood that she had to be given some. She was in the hospital one extra day, but is home now doing fine.
   — [Anonymous]

February 13, 2002
My Dr did not give you an option. I had to give blood 2 weeks in a row just in case. My surgery was normal, all went as planned, but they did consider giving me some blood if my levels had not come up by theirselves. They did but ask yourself, just in case do you want your blood or someone elses? I know they screen blodd well ect, an in an emegency I would be thankful for it, but if I had the choice to receive my own I would. I say do it. We take every other precaution why not this one.
   — Sue B.

February 13, 2002
I asked my doctor about this before surgery and he said he would rather have the blood inside my body where it could do some good rather than having it sitting in a bag in the refrigerator. I do agree that I would rather have my own blood, but the chances of needing it are very slim. Always ask your doctor if in doubt.
   — georgiacarol

February 14, 2002
Yes! 99.9% of the time you won't need a transfusion. But you might be one of the .10%...like me...who develops compplications and needs blood. Better safe than sorry.
   — [Anonymous]