Donating blood... question about it

So, I'm a big fat chicken about giving blood to begin with... I do it mostly because I'm such a chicken (facing my fears or some stupid **** like that), and because I know it's something more of us should do - and this time I get two free tickets to the zoo!

So anyway... I haven't donated since my surgery (it was a great excuse for a while, but it's been over a year now)... do I really need to eat something directly afterwards? They always have things like cookies/ peanut butter crackers, etc there along with orange juice/sodas...

Of course, I'd love a 'free' pass to a package of those peanut butter crackers, but... do I really need them?

I don't want to be the girl that passes out afterwards... but I also don't want to eat something I really don't need.

Ah, the perils of WLS and the cheap woman that can't pass up two passes to the zoo!

the real question is should you even give blood anymore? We become anemic so easily why would you ask for trouble?

that said, no they won't let you leave without a snack. I would bring my own snack and eat that

I woudl vote "no" on blood donation.

3 years post op I become severely anemic. Needed iron infusions. so far-in 9 years i needed it 3 times (3 series of 4 infusions).

add possibility of ulcer, or hernia - and additional surgery (I had 3)

Unless your ferritin is really high -200 or above - I would not consider giving blood.

I'm giving... Sitting here at this exact moment. But my iron levels were great according to the finger *****

I guess I figured my body will just continue to make more blood, and I'll have to read more about it, but I can't imagine this would affect my iron long term.

They have peanuts... I'll eat those ?

I was five years out before I became anemic and I did not donate blood. Being anemic is miserable for me. It is like having a very bad flu and no energy all day long.

I would advise never donating again.

So, this is in no way me disagreeing with anyone... This is my inexperienced self along what may sound like a stupid question...

But the body regenerates our blood pretty quickly after donating if I'm not mistaken... So in all honesty, wouldn't blood that regenerates have the same amount of iron in it as the blood they just took?

I just feel so passionate about the need for everyone to donate, that can donate, obviously... I don't want to stop unless it's truly a health concern for me.

You are a year out. Many of us had good levels at a year out. It took 7 years for mine to tank. Just keep an eye on your ferritin. Do they even check for that with the finger ***** at the donation site?

Yeah, ferritin is the only thing they check. I think you have to be over 12.5 to donate.

Good to know. Thanks!!

The only thing they check is your hemoglobin before donation, which needs to be 12.5 They don't check ferritin, which is more critical, long term, for us.