Blood Transfusions

[Penny]

However, there is a down side to this. I think it takes your body about 60 days, or more to regenerate the blood lossed. Furthermore, I am advised that the blood is only good for 30 days. So not only will you be recovering from surgery, you will also be recovering from a loss of blood.

My surgeon told me "NO" she said you would have to give blood too close to the surgery for it doesn't last long and then your body would be weakened trying to regenerate what you just took out of your body. The blood donor clinics won't even allow you to bank your blood if you are going for OHS.
Interesting the difference in surgeons' opinions.

 

[Angel]

My surgeon said he would not want me to give no more than 2 pints. I gave 1 pint last Tues. and I'm supposed to go back to give 1 more pint this coming Tues. I'm debating on whether to cancel that one or not. Of course my surgeon said they're going to try to not have to give me any at all. I just wanted to be prepared myself. They say I will be built back up in time for my surgery. It is interesting to hear the differences in the dr's opinions, etc.

 

[DebbyA]

I wasn't allowed to donate blood for years before surgery because of the murmur. I did get two units in surgery, did not develop a-fib.
You cannot donate blood for a year after receiving a transfusion, but I started doing blood donation fairly regularly when I became eligible.

 

[Lynlw]

I totally forgot to ask the surgeon about the possibility of needing blood. Is this a dumb question? How can you donate blood if you are having surgery done far away? Do they send it to them or do you have to carry it with you in a doggy bag?

You usually have to work it out wit your Red Cross, you donate it there and they ship it to where you will be having surgery. Of course there is a charge for this (and direct donation, where you give for a specific person) and atleast in thepast, insurance did not covever it , you had to pay yourself

 

[Marcia58]

I don't weigh enough to donate blood, but I had several trusted friends who were ready to donate into my "account." The hospital said, though, that I wouldn't need any because my surgical team was using the Cell Saver. Surprise, surprise! I needed a unit in OR, another as soon as I got to ICU, and two more a couple days later, in step-down. If you have friends you trust, who are a type-match, why not build up a little stockpile? If you don't use it, someone else will, and they'll be thankful it was there.