Give blood??
My surgeon said I could start giving blood again after 6 months, but when I went to the blood bank at about 6-1/2 months post-op, it turned into a huge ordeal....apparently (at least here) they prefer that you wait a full year following any major surgery before giving again.
That said, once I got all the appovals from their nurses and doctors, I was allowed to give at the 6-1/2 month mark, and have continued to give regularly ever since. No unusual effects, and no problems with anemia. I normally give 2 units of red cells due to blood type, etc., and have had no problems even with that.
Most exciting to me, I haven't been deferred once since surgery due to high blood pressure - something that was really one of the first warning signs to me that it was time to do something about my weight.
Good luck bleeding! The slogan here is - "Whose life can you save today?" Everybody who can should try it.
John
That said, once I got all the appovals from their nurses and doctors, I was allowed to give at the 6-1/2 month mark, and have continued to give regularly ever since. No unusual effects, and no problems with anemia. I normally give 2 units of red cells due to blood type, etc., and have had no problems even with that.
Most exciting to me, I haven't been deferred once since surgery due to high blood pressure - something that was really one of the first warning signs to me that it was time to do something about my weight.
Good luck bleeding! The slogan here is - "Whose life can you save today?" Everybody who can should try it.
John
I gave regularly prior to surgery and gave for the first time two months ago. My surgeon said it was OK after 18 months.
I went to the local Red Cross office. One of the nurses there asked me if I didn't use to give all the time and where I worked. I told her and she made a comment about me losing a lot of weight, so I told her I had SWL. Well that put a stop to every thing. The one that was taking my information had to call the nurse over her, who then had to get her supervisor, who in turn had to call a doctor for his opinion.
My iron level was fine, but that didn't seem to matter. They were afraid I may get dehydrated and I told them how much I had drank that day and that I monitor that daily. I told them my surgeon had OK'd it and I was over two and a half years out of surgery. Finally they told me it would be OK for me to give if I would drink a bottle of water prior to giving and some water during and after giving. I told them it was not necessary but if it would make them happy, OK.
I drank about a half a bottle of water and then hopped on the table. Then another nurse poured some in a cup and had me drinking it out of a straw while they were taking my blood.
They new nothing about SWL. These are actual nurses and they didn't have a clue. it was very frustrating. I was there trying to do a good deed. If I hadn't mentioned having surgery, I would have not had a single problem. Next time if they don't remember, I am not going to mention it.
Thanks for giving, every one should!
pan head
I went to the local Red Cross office. One of the nurses there asked me if I didn't use to give all the time and where I worked. I told her and she made a comment about me losing a lot of weight, so I told her I had SWL. Well that put a stop to every thing. The one that was taking my information had to call the nurse over her, who then had to get her supervisor, who in turn had to call a doctor for his opinion.
My iron level was fine, but that didn't seem to matter. They were afraid I may get dehydrated and I told them how much I had drank that day and that I monitor that daily. I told them my surgeon had OK'd it and I was over two and a half years out of surgery. Finally they told me it would be OK for me to give if I would drink a bottle of water prior to giving and some water during and after giving. I told them it was not necessary but if it would make them happy, OK.
I drank about a half a bottle of water and then hopped on the table. Then another nurse poured some in a cup and had me drinking it out of a straw while they were taking my blood.
They new nothing about SWL. These are actual nurses and they didn't have a clue. it was very frustrating. I was there trying to do a good deed. If I hadn't mentioned having surgery, I would have not had a single problem. Next time if they don't remember, I am not going to mention it.
Thanks for giving, every one should!
pan head
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