Donating Your Own Blood before a Hysterectomy - Hystersisters Hysterectomy Article

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Donating Your Own Blood before a Hysterectomy

Donating Your Own Blood before a Hysterectomy

From the Pre-Op Hysterectomy Articles List

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Pelvic Floor
Fitness after Hysterectomy
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Ask A Doctor

I am concerned with my iron levels. What if I go for my pre-surgery workup and am told that I'm too anemic? My doctor gave me iron tablets. Will one week's worth of iron tablets be enough? I don't want a transfusion unless I absolutely have to. Should I plan on donating my own blood?

Normally a hysterectomy patient won't need a blood transfusion.

In those rare occassions, it can be a very helpful to have donated your own blood before the surgery.

Check with your doctor in plenty of time before your surgery. Generally the hospital won't let you donate the week before surgery, so plan carefully.

One other possibility is to have family and friends standing by with your same blood type for a donation if you need one.

If your iron levels get too low during or following surgery, your surgeon might order a transfusion.

You can be assured that the blood provided for you has been screened very carefully, with the newest of technology to help maintain healthy, disease-free blood.

All blood used in transfusions is now screened for HIV/AIDS as well as hepatitis; however, there are some new strains of hepatitis for which there are no tests. Therefore, there is a very small chance that one of these new strains of hepatitis could be present in transfused blood.

Prevention is always the ideal route. The more preventative measures you take, the less likely you are to need a blood transfusion. Plan with the help of your doctor how you can be the healthiest you can be for your surgery.

This content was written by staff of HysterSisters.com by non-medical professionals based on discussions, resources and input from other patients for the purpose of patient-to-patient support.

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Find A Doctor Near You

Kym Boyman, M.D. 1775 Williston Rd., Ste. 110 South Burlington VT 05403 802-735-1252	Lauren Streicher, M.D. Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern, S.C 680 N. Lake Shore Dr., Suite 117 Chicago IL 60611 (312)654-1166	Ruslana Kadze, M.D. 5525 Etiwanda Avenue Suite 228 Tarzana (Los Angeles) CA 91356 818-343-1717
Megan Bird, M.D. 364 SE 8th Ave, Suite 205 Hillsboro OR 97202 503-681-4145	Aram Bonni, M.D. 25108 Marguerite Parkway Suite A-259 Mission Viejo CA 92692 949-916-2100	Brad Cohen, M.D. 2477 Route 516 Suite 103 Old Bridge NJ 08857 732-679-6900
David Zisow, M.D. 2005 Rock Spring Rd Ste. 3 Forest Hill - Baltimore MD 21050 410-879-1139	Arnold Advincula, M.D. Florida Hospital Celebration Health 400 Celebration Place Celebration FL 34747 (407) 303-4573	Jennifer Hayes, M.D. Visionary Centre for Women 2695 Ulmerton Rd Clearwater FL 33762 727-540-0414

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