Question:
Donating Blood
I have always donated blood on a regular basis before my RNY on 5/23/03. Since I was a regular "customer," the blood bank calls me on a regular basis asking me to donate more blood. They just called today, and this is the first time I've really had to think about it since my RNY. I'm almost 11 weeks out and would love to donate, but even before surgery I always had problems with a little dizziness and nausea afterwards. Having food in my stomach helped a little but not much. But now I can't hold much food at all, so I have no idea how I would feel after donating. If you feel dizzy and nauseous after donating, the blood bank people have you eat a donut or a cookie, which I obviously cannot do. I would love to donate, but would hate to make myself sick! Does anyone know if it's feasible (or even recommended) to donate blood this soon after my WLS? I'd appreciate your input - thanks! — MomBear2Cubs (posted on August 5, 2003)
August 5, 2003
Did you let them know that you had gastric bypass surgery less than 3
months ago? They may not give the OK for you to donate blood because your
surgery was so recent. Also I thought there was some discussion on this
board that once you had WLS, you would not be able to donate blood. I may
be wrong about this point tho.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 5, 2003
Some doctors tell us we can never donate blood again and some say wait a
year. I have seen some people on here say they have no problems donating
after surgery. What does your surgeon say? Run it by him.
— Delores S.
August 5, 2003
I have donated blood since surgery no problems. Same as pre op extra
fluids and take it easy right after. Although it would be worth a call to
see if you should wait a little while since surgery was rather recent.
— Laurie B.
August 5, 2003
My sister, LC, went to give blood around her six month post op mark. Our
surgeon said fine, but she showed up as being anemic so her blood wasn't
taken. Be sure you are taking your vitamins and suplements when you are
planning to donate.
— Fixnmyself
August 5, 2003
I have heard both, yes you can donate and NO we can never donate again. I
will tell you I tried at 6 mos post op and I was turned down as they took
my blood sugar level and my tested my iron (maybe) and I was too low. So,
I didn't. I also had my period too, so, that may have been why the Iron
level was low. WHo knows. Ask you dtr. Heather OPEN RNY 8-15-02
305/187/150
— heathercross
August 5, 2003
I asked my surgeon this same question last week. His answer was...if it is
a case of a family member needing blood for surgery and it is totally
necessary it be from you OK. But, do not donate just to donate
— Charlene W.
August 5, 2003
I had surgery last July. I waited six months, but have donated with no
trouble. Of course, I take Trinsicon and drink plenty of water. My iron
levels have been great. My mother died with lymphoma and I have been a
blood donor since she was diagnosed in 1983 and needed lots of blood.
— LilliesMimi
August 5, 2003
I was just wondering, can you eat fruit? If so, perhaps you should take a
piece of fruit with you if you need that sugar to make you feel better. I
agree with everyone else though, ask your surgeon. Also, tell the blood
bank. Maybe they know whether or not you can donate.
— jawalker72
August 6, 2003
I would wait until your 3 month bloodwork comes back...I was planning on
donating and got my test results back and my iron was very low. My hubby
works for the red cross and he said if I would have donated I would have
put myself in danger of complications and severe anemia.
— hooterzgirl75
August 6, 2003
Listen to your body! No - do not donate blood. If I remember correctly,
pregnancy and blood donation should be postposed until the third year post
op - when you body has returned to a more normal state. For the first two
years after RNY your body goes through SOOOOOOOOO many changes and
realistically, you don't have any extra to give. Feeling guilty about
donating? Don't. There are plenty of others who can. Let the Red Cross
know that you are recovering from surgery and will contact them when your
PCP/surgeon gives you the go-ahead.
— Susan K.
August 6, 2003
It's way too soon. One of the things we'll always have to watch for after
WLS is anemia. My surgeon told me that even people that are not anemic can
become so after donating blood, and once your levels are down, it's harder
to get them back up. He thinks it's better not to risk it. I do know
people who have done it and gotten away with it, but I won't take the
chance. Personally, my iron is borderline since surgery, even with
supplements. I work for a blood bank and was a regular donor, but I've had
them put me on their "do not call" list.
— mom2jtx3
August 6, 2003
You don't say whether you had open or lap, but chances are, if you had
open, your iron levels won't be high enough to donate yet. Iron is recycled
by our bodies, so, in most cases, the only way we lose iron is from
bleeding (which is one of the reasons women have more issues with anemia
than men do). If you had open surgery, you obviously had some blood loss,
and your body needs time to recover it's iron stores. Obviously, everyone
is different, and only a blood test and a doctor can tell you what your
specific situation is, and how long you need to recover the iron loss. But
why stress your body by losing even more iron so soon after surgery? With
RNY, we have more difficulty replacing lost iron because iron is mainly
absorbed in the upper small intestine, which is now bypassed. That's the
reason for iron supplements. I was taking 18 elemental mg of iron daily,
and became anemic from a bleeding ulcer. After taking 65 elemental mg (200
mg) of iron daily for 4 months, my iron levels are back to normal. I am
continuing to take that dosage in an effort to get my iron stores really
high due to plastic surgery next month. As much as I believe in donating
blood, I have had to accept that my days of donating are over, as I just
won't risk becoming anemic.
— Cyndie K.
August 8, 2003
I am 19 weeks post op and donated blood just this Tuesday (8/5/03), I feel
fine.
— Lorna R.
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