Step 8: Post-surgery

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.

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