Average Blood Loss during Surgery?

Hi sisters,

I was wondering how much blood loss typically occurs during a TAH without any complications. After reading a couple of posts about bruising and slow healing times, I'm wondering how average my estimated blood loss of 500 cc (about a unit of blood) was for an uncomplicated surgery. My entire abdomen and about 3 inches into my right thigh was bruised. I also was told I was a slow healer; the stitches in the vaginal vault were still there at 4 and a half weeks and this week, at 9 weeks, I was treated the 2nd time for some granulation tissue.

The says that my bleeding was on the high side of normal, so not to worry. My main concern is that my sister has an inherited bleeding disorder and although I was checked for it prior to surgery, the testing is not definitive and often results show as normal.

Thanks,
midvale

I don't know what the "norm" is but my surgical report for my TAH said "estimated blood loss was 650". I assume that is cc's?? It doesn't say. I had some very deep, very black bruises on my incision site. Doc said that was normal. I was anemic after my surgery though so maybe all this is tied together?

I'm not sure either what is the norm for this, but according to my op report I only lost an estimated 200-250 cc, which doesnt sound like much... My doc was pleased with this as I tend usually to be a bleeder if I cut myself, and my periods were just Niagra Falls! Take Care

Deb

I'm not sure what the normal blood loss is, but my Dr told me that I lost about a tsp of blood is all.

Thanks for the replies. Seems like we have quite a range here. Wow, CwbysLdi, only a teaspoon? You win! :

Maybe we can hear from some other princesses to get a more representative sample.

midvale

My report states that my blood loss during my TAH/BSO was 150cc's. I just got through measuring that and it is 2/3's of a cup.

s

Well, again, as a post op RN I can give you some norms I think. The most normal ones we get are about 100- 150 cc's. Minimal is great, would expect that more with a vag than an abdominal. 500cc is probably high range of normal to low range of large amount.

In saying that, I had a 1000cc blood loss which is definitely large. My hct was 29 so I didn't require a transfusion. Used to be anything below 30 got transfused, now it is about 27 and below and that came about after the AIDS crisis. Now I am taking iron and will get my hct (hematocrit - part of the blood count) done at about 4 weeks. Need to have it up before I have my second surgery.

I lost approximately 250cc of blood with my surgery and i was anemic but i was before the surgery so that didn't make really any difference. I had one unit of blood on hold for me and I didn't even use that. But I took iron before and after my surgery to get my levels up....and that really helps your bowel problem also...



TAH/BSO 8/20/02 for fibroids & endo. doing well now....

I did have a TAH with complications and I lost 1500 cc of blood according to the doctor and nurses I had more blood out of me then in me. They gave bags of nutrients (at least that's what they called them) at a fast rate and very closely monitored my blood pressure which bottomed out at 70/39 in the early morning hours. They were considering then to give me a blood transfusion when the blood pressure started to climb again.
Although I was very pale and constantly cold (they kept the room at 80 degrees) I did rebound by the time I went home. And right now I am on a high iron diet with iron pills to be taken 2 to 3 times a day.
I just got back from the doctor's yesterday and he says I look and doing good.

BJ

For anyone out there who knows how blood loss is related to drop in hematocrit, I have a question. My blood loss was 25cc, but my hematocrit dropped 8 points pre to post op. I had lots of bruising, and even noticed new bruising (labial) six days post op. How can this be?