Donating blood?

Have any of you donated blood after WLS?  I've thought about it, but am concerned because we can be prone to developing anemia.  I'd like to donate, but do not want to possibly do something that's harmful to myself.  I would appreciate any insight or information my OH buds can offer - thanks. Kellie

Hi Kellie, I used to donate blood a lot because I am B-. My doctor now says that as long as my blood work is recent enough and good, that I can donate. So I say as long as you have never been bothered by low counts of iron or anything, you should be okay.  nancy

I would love to donate, since I'm A- . As long as your labs are OK, I understand it's not a problem.  However, the last time I tried they said no because I lived in Europe for over 5 years... blah! :)

Angie, I can't donate either for the same reason.  DH and I were there during the mad-cow beef timeframe.  Also, we were just getting ready to leave when Chernobyl blew.  Someday i may be crazy and glow in the dark.

Molly

Yep...This is why I can't give blood....You would think that after 10 + years that I am not a mad cow (although hubby might disagree)  Do people even get mad cow disease?  I thought you had to be a cow.

Oh no... mad cow disease is quite devastating in humans :( I didn't realize how long the incubation period could be! http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,342651,00.html

Monument, Kan. —  A Kansas man who died in January had Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which is related to mad cow disease, his brother told The Wichita Eagle.

Frank Rebarchek of Scott City, Kan. said the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center had confirmed that the rare disease, which turns brain tissue spongy, caused the death of his brother Milton Eugene Rebarchek of Monument, Kan.

"They don't know where he got it, but they're trying to figure it out," he told the newspaper.

The disease's incubation period is years, even decades, and its presence can't be confirmed until brain tissue is tested. It is always fatal, the report said.

Milton Eugene Rebarchek had worked at a packing plant about 15 or 20 years ago, his brother said. One variation of the disease is mad cow disease. The human form has never been seen in the United States in someone who hadn't had exposure elsewhere, according to the report.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob can come from blood transfusions and can be hereditary in very rare cases. On average, 250 to 300 cases are reported in the United States.

Thank goodness we don't eat a lot of red meat...and while we were in Germany the commissary got our meat from the USA and it was rationed. We actually had a meat card that allowed us to buy only a certain amount each month...Same with tea and coffee too!  We ate pork and chicken in Germany and rarely ate any read meat...Even in England, I think all we ate was fish...and chips!   I'm surprised they never gave us all more info on the subject...while we were there or even after.  I remember at a blood drive screening they told me there was no test to find it so they just went by when you were in europe and how long you were there.  It's crazy to think what didn't kill us back then could kill us now...

Hi I gave blood several times after WLS, however the last three times I tried I was turned down--low ferritin numbers.  I had been increasing my iron, so I don't know why it happened.  I'll try again in a few weeks.  Giving blood by itself is not a problem, if your iron is low they won't take it anyway.

How low is your ferritin number?  Mine is 20. Patricia

I have B- so they want me all the time...I am 4 yrs post op and have donated regularly for the last 3 yrs. with no problem. I take iron for anemia and the interview process takes a while since i take so many supplements, but no problems whatsoever.. To help with the interview questions (that they ask EVERY time anyone donates, I have all of the supplements written on a card I give them each and every time (it speeds up the process a bit anyway)....sooo ...donation is no problem for me anyway.... hope that helps!!!