autogolous blood transfusions with Dr. Gagner

July 10, 2001

Hi,

Has anyone donated their own blood and needed it during the D/S

surgery? If I need a transfusion of blood, I want it to be mine.

Dr. Hess's study stated that his patients donate a unit two weeks

prior to surgery. I have e-mailed Dr. Gagner and am waiting for his

response.

Please e-mail me directly at dbond247 at aol.com.

Debra

July 11, 2001

In a message dated 7/10/01 10:49:04 PM, duodenalswitch writes:

<< Interesting you asked about this today. Just today I called Red Cross to

ask

about self-donating. They do it 8 days before surgery with Dr's orders, bill

the hospital and bring it to the hospital for the time of surgery. The cost

is $258 per unit. My insurance covers it 100% as lab work. My big day is

August 21 in Minneapolis. Karla

>>

It is 75/unit at Mt. Sinai and you are supposed to donate at least 2 weeks

ahead of the surgery per unit (so, for two units -- you'd have to start at

like a month before the surgery or something with two weeks in between giving

blood and then two weeks before the surgery, I would think).

Ask the Mt. Sinai nurse -- they have all the information (and a little

handout sheet). You must present a letter from them with a patient number

at Mt Sinai and permission to give blood for a scheduled surgery.

The blood donor office is on the first floor of the main hospital building,

right behind the gift store.

I was going to give some blood but, one week before the surgery my mom gave

blood on my behalf since I wasn't able to get to Mt Sinai before that time

(she has type O).

all the best,

lap ds with gallbladder removal

January 25, 2001

five months post-op and still feelin' fab!

pre-op: 307 lbs/bmi 45

now: 240 (stuck there still, sigh)/bmi 34

July 11, 2001