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Q: Will I need a blood transfusion? If so, why?
A: Your physician may feel that a blood transfusion is necessary if you become anemic or experience significant hemorrhage.
Q: What are the risks if I choose to minimize or avoid blood transfusion?
A: The risks of careful blood conservation and management have proven to be acceptably low but vary from patient to patient and from procedure to procedure. Ask your physician to explain the risk involved with your particular problem/surgery.
Q: What else do I need to do to prepare myself for surgery?
A: You should maintain a healthy diet and your physician may ask you to discontinue any blood thinners for at least one week and certain vitamin supplements such as Vitamin E and herbal supplements that can interfere with blood clotting. Your doctor may ask you to take vitamins such as B12, iron supplements and erythropoietin which is a pharmaceutical that stimulates the production of red blood cells.
Q: Will I need to increase my blood count for this surgery?
A: Depending upon your blood levels, your physician may ask you to receive injections of erythropoietin prior to surgery to build your blood count.
Q: What are the risks involved with blood transfusions?
A: While the risk of infection transmission is very rare, bacterial infections and viruses such as the hepatitis virus and AIDS virus, West Nile virus, SARS and mad cow disease (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) can be transmitted through blood. Finally, although extremely rare, receiving the wrong type of blood could cause a blood transfusion reaction.
Q: If I do need a blood transfusion, how will it affect my recovery time?
A: Depending upon how much blood you needed and how much was transfused, it may affect your overall strength and endurance. Oftentimes, the patient that avoids or limits exposure to blood can leave the hospital sooner than a patient who gets blood. Also, the quality of life during the recovery period may be better for those who do not receive blood.
Q: If my blood count is low after surgery, how will it affect my ability to resume normal activity?
A: Initially, you may feel weak and your endurance for normal activities may be lessened. While your body makes new blood cells and returns your blood levels to normal range, pacing yourself and your activities will help.
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