Question:
did you require transfusions during surgery?

My husband would like to donate blood if the likelihood is that I will need a transfusion. What were your experiences?    — Spunkwoman S. (posted on August 4, 2001)

August 4, 2001
Hi there! I just found out from my surgeons office that you can donate to yourself. This is done through your local red cross. The only downfall is if you do not use it they will discard it. It cannot be donated to someone else. I know it takes awhile to process if your husband would like to donate. I was told I probably will not need it, but if I do want to donate I can.
   — Annette W.

August 4, 2001
I've had over 10 surgeries and never have need a transfusion. I doubt you will either.
   — Cindy H.

August 4, 2001
Chances are really good that you "won't need" a transfusion.
   — Danmark

August 4, 2001
I asked my doctor about self donation in case I needed a transfusion. He said he would rather have the blood inside my body than waiting in a plastic bag. The chances are very high that you will not need a transfusion.
   — georgiacarol

August 6, 2001
It's smart to donate a couple of units prior to any major surgery ---you just never know. You probably won't need it, the vast majority of people don't. However, I had a gastric bleed when I had my open rny and ended up needing units of blood and being in the hospital for 10 days with a n-g tube! Totally unexpected. I'm fairly confident that the blood in our blood banks is safe....but....I do wish I'd banked my own blood. There's usually so much lead time, that it's easy to do.
   — [Anonymous]

January 21, 2004
I have worked in the blood banking industry for 11 years, and I can honestly say that the blood supply is very safe these days. If you decide to bank your own blood for the surgery, it is destroyed if your doctor does not use it. What a waste. In my opinion, keeping your blood inside of you is a much better choice. I would never hesitate to take blood from the supply! And, family and friends have secrets. Is it right to put them in the position of having to divuldge that information for your sake. What if they have a medical problem that you are not aware of. It is not worth putting them through that. H.U.
   — heather U.

April 10, 2013
Hello. Transfusions may end up being a part of surgery anytime, so I feel that being prepared is a plus. I want my own blood before anyone elses. But one point. When you give your own blood for your surgery, that is free, at least here it is. The problem is, when you do give blood it has to still be tested and it still has to be stored. The hospital I am going to have my surgery at is probably going to charge me a fee for storing that blood so keep that in mind and maybe ask your caseworker about it. Very good luck!
   — StoneChikadee

April 10, 2013
Hello. Transfusions may end up being a part of surgery anytime, so I feel that being prepared is a plus. I want my own blood before anyone elses. But one point. When you give your own blood for your surgery, that is free, at least here it is. The problem is, when you do give blood it has to still be tested and it still has to be stored. The hospital I am going to have my surgery at is probably going to charge me a fee for storing that blood so keep that in mind and maybe ask your caseworker about it. Very good luck!
   — StoneChikadee