Article: Donate Own Blood Before Hysterectomy

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Article: Donate Own Blood Before Hysterectomy
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 idea to have donated your own blood for this purpose.

Check with your doctor in plenty of time before your surgery. Generally the hospital won't let you donate the week before surgery. If you want to manage this, plan it 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, free of disease 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.

The main thing is to get your iron levels up pre-surgery in order to lessen the necessity of needing a 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.