Question:
Is it ok to donate blood

I am one year post op, and I donated blood yesterday and feel completely wiped and wondered if i wasn't supposed to donate. My labs were good. Any one have this experience    — Hedy W. (posted on April 2, 2003)

April 1, 2003
My doctor does not allow us to donate blood for life. I had labs that required nine test tubes of blood and that made me feel tired and lightheaded already. I could imagine what would happen if I gave an entire pint of blood.
   — Lawrence R.

April 1, 2003
I give regularly (Working on my 6th gallon.) and have experienced no problems. My surgeon said there would be no complications. The FDA, which regulates blood collection, has no objections. As after any major surgery, one has a waiting period before donating.
   — Chuck O.

April 1, 2003
I give. Since my bloodwork has been fine my doctor says go for it. My mother gave all her life and when she died with lymphoma(after having to have transfusions herself) I vowed to continue if at all possible.
   — LilliesMimi

April 2, 2003
My surgeon told me never to donate. It can cause your iron to take a dive and can be very difficult to get it up again. Obviously, some can do it successfully, but for me it's not worth the risk... we have a high enough chance for anemia as it is.
   — mom2jtx3

April 3, 2003
I'm with most of the other posters in that it is dangerous and, imho foolish, to give blood post op. It is for a good cause, but it seems like it would be to hard on us now. I know that I've never had anemia before and do now as well as potassium and B-12 deficiencies. So there is no way I'm going to chance it! Quite frankly I'm doubting they would want our blood if they knew we had wls. But that is only a guess on my part. ;) You really should have asked your surgeon before hand. Your being whiped out after giving blood only enforces my conviction that it is not wise to give blood post op.
   — Danmark