Question:
Donating blood or plasma post op (??)

Hi, Taking a "survey". What does your Surgeon say about donating blood or plasma after WLS?? Has anybody had any post-op donation experiences, good or bad?? Thanks, Audra Open RNY 8-7-03 Abdomnioplasty 2-4-05 5'6"/248/140/140    — jellybean0605 (posted on May 3, 2005)

May 3, 2005
Our docs say no way to blood donating. WE can't build the blood fast enough. However, those with good iron levels do donate platelets. I knew one person who donated plasma, but that was long ago
   — vitalady

May 3, 2005
"NO" on a whole blood donation. I know of some who donate successfully, but it's a risk. It's much harder to get your levels up when they drop than it is to keep them up and of course anemia is a complication of RNY. I don't know about plasma though. I believe the iron is in the red blood cells, so an Apheresis donation may not be a problem?
   — mom2jtx3

May 3, 2005
Before WLS - I used to donate every 8 weeks or so. After WLS, I donated like normal, however, when I went back to donate again (after about 8 weeks), my iron was low...I had to wait an additional 8 weeks. I doubled up on my iron and Vit C to rebuild the iron levels. So, now, I wait about 16 weeks between donations. I have had no problem.
   — Danette C.

May 3, 2005
My doc says no also.
   — Splenderella

May 4, 2005
My Doc said wait six months to a year (at least) to adjust to the new diet and learning how to get in the iron. If iron levels are good then resuming blood or plasma donation is fine but he also suggests waiting 16 weeks between donations of whole blood.
   — MagickalMom

May 4, 2005
Audra, I have donated RBCP which is a unit of blood and a unit of plasma at the same time. They use a machine to split them out. I have had a few times when my iron was too low and I had to supplement for a week or so and then go back. I am two years post op and have donated 3 times since my initial surgery in April 2003. Hope that helps. Hugs from your Okie friend,
   — wealthgvr

May 4, 2005
Audra, IMHO, I don't think it's a good idea, but to eac, his/her own. Just be careful!
   — yourdivaness

May 4, 2005
I had my pre-op appt just this past Monday and asked this very question. My surgeon wants me to wait at least 1-year. You should be find....but I would have my labs done and see what your PC says.
   — lenora

May 5, 2005
Hello, My doctor specifically tells all his patients not to donate blood post-op. The reason is that we are already have mal-absorbsion of vitamins and minerals due to the surgery and are quicker to become amemic than non-bariatric people which is why we pump the vitamins,calcium, iron, etc. more than normal or the average person. I hope that this answers your question. Beverly
   — Msfavordiva

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