About ten years ago I had open-heart surgery - repair of mitral valve prolapse. In my case my own valve was left in - reinforced with a plastic ring.
I made sure my doctors knew that I was PERFECTLY WILLING to receive blood if it was necessary - in fact I had a couple pints of my own blood collected for the occasion so I wouldn't have to worry about getting blood from someone with HIV, Hep-C, or who-knows-what?
Turns out NOT A SINGLE DROP OF BLOOD WAS USED at any time before, during or after my operation. The procedures and efficiencies have progressed tremendously in the past 60 years, it is the WTB&TS that is standing still.