Hi Katy- I copied this from an article-(obviously I'm not smart enough to remember all these!)- These are some of the bloodless options.
Some of the Methods
Fluids: Ringer's lactate solution, dextran, hydroxyethyl starch, and others are used to maintain blood volume, preventing hypovolemic shock. Some fluids now being tested can transport oxygen.
Drugs: Genetically engineered proteins can stimulate the production of red blood cells (erythropoietin), blood platelets (interleukin-11), and various white blood cells (GM-CSF, G-CSF). Other medications greatly reduce blood loss during surgery (aprotinin, antifibrinolytics) or help to reduce acute bleeding (desmopressin).
Biological hemostats: Collagen and cellulose woven pads are used to stop bleeding by direct application. Fibrin glues and sealants can plug puncture wounds or cover large areas of bleeding tissue.
Blood salvage: Salvaging machines recover blood that is lost during surgery or trauma. The blood is cleansed and can be returned to the patient in a closed circuit. In extreme cases, liters of blood can be recovered using such a system.
Surgical techniques: Thorough operative planning, including consultation with experienced clinicians, helps the surgical team to avoid complications. Prompt action to stop bleeding is essential. Delays greater than 24 hours can greatly increase patient mortality. Dividing large surgeries into several smaller ones decreases total blood loss.
Surgical tools: Some devices cut and seal blood vessels simultaneously. Other devices can seal bleeding on large areas of tissue. Laparoscopic and minimally invasive instruments allow surgeries to be performed without the blood loss associated with large incisions.
Back to me-As far as the surgical techniques, you'd think well Duh-anyone would receive preventative surgery like that, but not so. At the Bloodless centers across the country, there are specific surgeons that do the bloodless procedures. In fact I read that this certain heart specialist did over 600 bloodless open heart surgeries. So there are extra steps they'd take with a bloodless patient.
As far as taking transplants, that is left up to an individual to decide on thier own-how they personally feel about it. I have known some that wouldn't take transplants, and that's really up to them. But our faith does not teach that transplants are wrong. Again, there are bloodless organ transplants centers that I would go to if I needed a lung transplant. And most of these centers are at the main bloodless hospitals in major cities.
Many people think I'm sure that Jehovah's Witnesses just say-NO Blood! and scurry away like frightened people, harming themselves. But as you can see-this is a very organized process and we have some of the world's top doctors that have developed treatments for this. We don't just say-Oh, we'll rely on God to heal us-No way. We take all types of medical treatment available.