If you have anemia, you might feel weak, short of breath, or lightheaded.
It also discusses how postoperative anemia is diagnosed and treated.
What Are the Symptoms of Postoperative Anemia?
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Anemia signs and symptomscan range from mild to severe.
What Happens if Your Hemoglobin is Low After Surgery?
Postoperative anemia increases the risk of complications during the recovery period.
Bleeding is common during and after surgery and can range from mild to life-threatening.
Due to the smaller incision size, this often results in less blood loss.
Today, surgeons can perform an increasing number of surgeries laparoscopically.
Less invasive surgical incisions reduce the risk of complications and shorten recovery times.
How is Postoperative Anemia Diagnosed?
RBC and hemoglobin values below the reference range indicate anemia.
What Hemoglobin is Too Low for Surgery?
In adults, a hemoglobin level below 13 gm/dL is considered preoperative anemia.
How is Postoperative Anemia Treated?
Anemia treatment varies depending on the underlying cause.
For example, if an individual hasiron deficiency anemia, aniron supplementis typically the best option.
However, if anemia occurs due to blood loss from surgery, treatment may require a different approach.
Therisks associated with blood transfusionsare low.
In rare instances, an allergic reaction may occur.
Watchful Waiting
The treatment is usually watchful waiting for those who experience mild anemia after surgery.
Over the weeks following surgery, your body will rebuild your blood supply.
Fatigue and low energy levels usually improve over time.
Iron Supplements
Iron supplementsare commonly prescribed to people with anemia.
So it’s important to only take the amount recommended by your healthcare provider.
Summary
Postoperative anemia sometimes occurs following surgery as a result of blood loss.
Open surgery, trauma surgery, and having a bleeding disorder increase your risk of postoperative anemia.
Less invasive techniques, such as laparoscopic surgery, lower the risk.
Treatment for postoperative anemia sometimes requires a blood transfusion, but often watchful waiting is appropriate.
In this procedure, your blood is taken before surgery and used after surgery if needed.
This process eliminates any risk of disease transmission.
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