A Question about blood donation..

Okay so my work is having a blood drive on May 18th and before my RNY I gave blood 3 times a year but have not done so in about 15 months. I seem to recall Dr Pupkova telling me that giving blood is okay as long as I was 6 months or more out. Anybody else have any problems giving blood post WLS?? Any advise would be greatly appreciated also did you have problems feeling faint after donating blood??

I haven't given blood since my RNY either but I would imagine if all of your blood work is good it shouldn't be a problem. The problem may be afterward because I remember getting cookies and juice or soda to help your system after giving. If you go you might want to have a protein shake or water and something sugar free to eat? Or at least something like crackers - unless you can have sugar - I dump so its a big no-no for me.

Kathy,
Thank you so much for the advise unfortunately I do not dump on sugar wish I did but have weened myself of sugar. I do have these yummy sugar free supreme protein bars I picked up at the Barix meeting last time so I will keep those handy. My hemoglobin was a little low so she told me to take a multi-vit with iron which I have been doing but do you think that they will turn me down if my iron count is low??

I'm not sure they'd turn you down or not - they usually do that finger ***** test to make sure your blood is okay - I know our resident Nurse Pam will be able to offer more valuable advice in that regard so I'd check with her, too. I'll be curious to know what she says to see if I can give blood again too.

I have given blood many times since surgery, never with any ill effects. It can't hurt you to try. Worst case scenario, you get the dizzies and a snack pack of oreos.

I like blood days, it gives me an excuse to wear a super-short sleeved shirt to work.

Hi Shilpa,
after I gave blood last year my Hgb went down and it was around the time I had to see Dr. P and when I told her I gave blood she said that we shouldn't. I didn't feel faint after giving I ate pretzels instead of the sugars and in December I gave blood to be given beack to me if I needed it during my surgery, I was supposed to give 2 units when I gave the first unit my HgB was 11.5 so it wasok to give because it was for me, the following week I was suppossed to give another unit and my Hgb was 9.9 so they wouldn't take it. I think normal Hgb to give blood for the red cross is 12.5 but if you are giving it for yourself it has to be >11.
I wouldn't do it if I were you
Susan

I am so glad I read this thread.  I have been giving blood 5x/yr and thought that once I had surgery, I would not be able to give again.  I am Oneg so I know the importance of donating regularly. I am only about 4 1/2 mo out from surg so I am planning on waiting until my tests are ok but glad to hear that there are others able to donate.

Dr. Pupkova has said she does not reccommend donating blood to other patients in the past.

Also, the red cross has not been able to give those who contacted them directly about donating blood and being bypass patients a definite answer.

That being said, people do donate (be it they don't list it on the medical history or not I cannot say)

And yes, they will turn you down if you are anemic.  I'm not sure what their specifications are for it or not (meaning what level your H/H and/or iron level has to be) in order to donate but I do know our bodies can be pretty sensitive to changes and what not.

Pam