Giving blood after rny....not a good idea for some (like me)

I'm a huge supporter for Shriner's Hospitals for Children. I strongly urge anyone that can to support them. Time is one of the greatest donations.

Donating platelets might  be a better option, I do that every two weeks or so. There is a  very minimal loss of red cells compared to whole blood or red cell donations, and platelets are needed just as urgently.

That may be something to look into into. Im going to try and volunteer too. Thanks, I never really thought about donating plasma.

I was a faithful donor then switched to platelets and donated regularly. They checked my iron and it was so low they did not let me donate, platelets or anything. I still have to take an iron supplement and can never donate again. I miss doing it, but just have to find another way to share my time, not my body! Good luck!

I know that my body has far more trouble regenerating blood because of the Iron, so I refuse to donate blood. It's just not good for me to give away that which I truly need. 

Some of those who have RNY end up having to get iron transfusions.... which can be extremely expensive and take a long time (work time) and be as debilitating as needing to get chemotherapy. 

I've been lucky because my iron is still exceptionally good -- and I have no idea why. I get extremely nauseated with every iron pill I've tried, and my bowels lock up like I've poured cement into them. But apparently I do okay. I get it monitored every year. My gastroenterologist believes that there really is no point in iron supplements... they do little to up your iron levels, and (as in my case) they make me sick and lock me up. So he says I should just monitor my levels. But I don't give my blood because I need it.