? @ giving your own blood for the surgery

[Marguerite53]

Okay. I've decided which surgeon (the first one) and which hospital and now I just have to tell them and get a date in April!! Reality sets in.

So my question is... did you all go in early (those who had time) and give several units of your own blood? (my cardio recommended it) What about other family members giving blood for you? My son won't be able to be home for the surgery and we are the same blood type. I thought I might ask him to give some for my surgery while he is home for spring break. I think he would like that. I'll call the hospital, of course, but just wondered about people's experience here.

Thanks! Marguerite

 

[ALCapshaw2]

We asked about self donation (and friend / relative donations) and were discouraged from going that route. The doctors claim that the blood supply is much better than in years past. In the end, NO blood products were administered, although I was borderline anemic following surgery.

Ask your SURGEON for HIS opinion.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[MikeHeim]

My surgeon recommended giving 1-2 pints (I gave one). For my surgery it was unlikely that I would need any blood at all, and luckily it ended up that I didn't. He also said that he almost always discouraged anyone giving more than 1-2 pints for a logical reason: if you take out 4-5 pints beforehand, there is less blood in the patient's system and they usually need to put a few pints back in as a result. He said he would rather I just kept the blood in my system the whole time.

Depending on your surgery, it may increase the likelihood that you would need additional blood. Perhaps someone will come along with a different story.

BTW, I certainly don't know your son, but I doubt that anyone would have wanted any part of my blood while I was on college. Just kiddin'.

In the end, I agree that you should ask your surgeon.

 

[EVELYN]

Hi M

When Tyce had his surgery, we went through "Directed Donations." My cousin's wife had his blood type and gave, although it was never used. Tyce was anemic, too post op, but I think that's fairly common. Our surgeon was not in favor of Tyce giving his own. Hope that helps.

Evelyn

 

[Dennis S]

Blood donations

Blood donations

My surgeon advised against banking my own blood. I got the feeling that banking the blood was not a big risk, but that the risk of needing my own blood was even smaller.

 

[Karlynn]

14 years ago I gave 1 pint and my sister-in-law gave 1 pint (we had the same type) I only gave 1 because I only had a week between my surgery being scheduled and the event.

 

[lance]

Blood banking prior to surgery

Blood banking prior to surgery

For my mitral valve replacent surgery I banked 3 units of blood, took iron supplement and all 3 units were used during the surgery.

I banked my own blood through choice, on the recommendation of the surgeon mostly because I did/do not trust the safety of blood products (hepatitis/HIV). For a time in Canada donated blood did not receive adequate testing for either of those diseases. The situation has changed and all blood is adequately tested now. Even so I would still bank my own.

Cheers

 

[Mary]

Marguerite,
I'd ask your surgeon his thoughts. I asked the same question of mine, and I was told no.

 

[Phyllis]

I would ask the surgeon as well. Dick didn't give blood and didn't need any.

 

[Rich]

I would try to avoid giving blood yourself.
Hopefully you won't need any.
Personally I was told to use the Red Cross dedicated donor system, which I did.
All donations from friends, family, co-workers, etc is directed only for you.
If you don't need it then it goes to the regular blood bank.

 

[sue943]

No one asked me, and I have no idea if I received any or not.

 

[Praline]

Banking your own blood

Banking your own blood

I had surgery ,MVR, one bypass, and Maze, almost 4 weeks ago. The surgeon discouraged giving your own blood. He said he rarely had to give patients blood. He also said I needed to keep my blood.

 

[Paul_R]

My surgeon asked me donate blood. I donated 2 units of my own. I had 3 friends donate 3 units and 2 other friends donate 2 units of plasma. In the end I did not need any of it.

If I ever need surgery again I probably will not donate my own blood.

Good Luck with your surgery.

 

[tobagotwo]

My surgeon was offended when I asked if I should donate my own blood. He said he had never needed to use extra blood during valve surgery.

Best wishes,

 

[KristiinSD]

My surgeon really pushed autologous blood donation

My surgeon really pushed autologous blood donation

and I did it, but since I had a hemorragic pleural effusion post-op fat lot of good it did!!!

Kristi
mitral repair 11/30/05

 

[maka]

When I asked about blood my surgeon told me the blood used at the hospital was more than checked and safe and the majority his patients did not need any blood transfusion. The medical record he gave me about the operation does not mention I needed any blood transfusion and I know I did not receive any after the operation. So I guess the best is to ask you surgeon and get his opinion

 

[Ross]

You can give blood, but don't count on it being your blood being given back to you, unless it's with donated and surgery is next day! There is a short life on stored blood, so anything you give will likely go to someone else and you'll get someone elses if the need arises. Most people DO NOT require any. Some need to top off their tanks afterwards, but for the most part, no.

 

[lance]

Cdn autogolous donation

Cdn autogolous donation

There sure is a different philosophy between Canada and the US when it comes to blood banking--quite a difference.

Directed blood donations are not allowed here--it's either donate your own or take what comes.

When I banked mine, there were three identity cards issued simultaneosly for each unit of self-donated blood, with the same registration no. and bar code. One was attached to the bag of blood, one stayed with me and the blood bank kept the third.

The third card enabled the bank to forward the unit(s) prior to surgery and the bar code from the card I kept was matched with the code on the unit at the time of surgery. It seems a good system, but there could be slip ups.

Soon I think everyone will be issued with a bar code at birth. (LOL).

Cheers

 

[MikeHeim]

Ross-
I'm not sure about other hospitals, but that's not true at UCLA. When you do an autologous blood donation, it's not tested for all the diseases and what-not that a normal blood donation is tested for. Unfortunately, that means that if you don't need the blood during your surgery it has to get thrown away.

 

[Marguerite53]

Thanks everyone!! I will add that to my list of questions for the surgeon. Thanks, Rich. I'll look into dedicated donor system. I may just ask my son to give a pint, or whatever he is accustomed to giving (he gives regularly) if he wants to (I suspect he will).

and Mike....that was quite hilarious......I resemble your remark...kinda majored in beer and....well.....you know...... my first few years in college. This kid, though, Eagle Scout, part-time Dudley Do-Right, part-time normal party-hearty guy....Red Cross has liked his blood so far!!

Interesting to hear differing experiences. Thanks again!

Marguerite