Step 8: Post-surgery

Return to Index Step 1: An Overview Of Bloodless Medicine Step 2: The Components Of Blood Step 3: Why People Choose Bloodless Medicine Step 4: Benefits And Risks Step 5: Surgeries That Can Use Bloodless Methods Step 6: Preparing For Bloodless Surgery Step 7: Strategies And Techniques During Surgery Step 8: Post-Surgery Glossary

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Many of the procedures that will be done after your surgery are continuations of the steps done before and during surgery:

Careful monitoring of your blood oxygen levels
Attention to nutrition
Administration of blood-boosting medications and supplements
Maintenance of good fluid volume
Prevention of hypothermia
Use of microsampling techniques for laboratory testing of blood
Maintenance of high blood oxygen levels (some facilities may use a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, allowing the patient to breathe pressurized oxygen)
Reinfusion of blood that has collected in drainage devices
Promotion of good wound healing
High-threshold of tolerance for expected levels of anemia
Vigilant monitoring for and a quick response to unusual bleeding, with a low-threshold for reoperation if it appears to be necessary in order to stop internal bleeding

In short, taking a bloodless approach involves a coordinated continuum of specialized care. Steps will be taken from beginning to end to eliminate the need for blood transfusions, and allow you to recover much the same as someone undergoing more traditional surgical methods.

Review Date: 5/10/2007
Reviewed By: Corey Cutler, M.D., M.P.H., F.R.C.P.C, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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