Amanda's Guestbook

Hi Amanda, Absolutely bank your own blood. If you tell your surgical nurse she can probably set up the appointments for you. It's no worse than having blood drawn in the lab, and you'll have peace of mind knowing your own blood in perfect for your own body. I'm only 4 days past surgery - still in the hospital - but that's one of the decisions I feel best about. Good luck, Joel

Hi Amanda, Great meeting you! I think your journal is the first from Australia! Anyways, you raise an interesting question about blood banking. So you know, I did not blood bank for my heart valve replacement in 2005. However, if I was to have another surgery in the future (fingers crossed that will never happen), I would most likely blood bank. There have been some interesting studies as of late which suggest that patients are more likely to minimize risk of mortality if their own blood is used when/if a transfusion occurs. I hope that helps! Keep on tickin! Adam