Was any one else told they would not be able to give blood after VSG?

I had my surgery at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, OH (the hospital was great) but they said we would not be able to donate blood post op because our Chemistries will always be messed up.  Was anyone else told this.  I've done my homework for this surgery but when the RN told us that we were all a little surprised.  (It was told to us at a group pre-surgery consultation with an RN.  Just wondering if anyone else was told this. 

Thanks,  Roni

Really? I wasn't told this not to donate once I had my VSG surgery, once I recovered from surgery and got the okay to donate blood from my surgeon. I donated a few times and now I can't donate blood because I have minor anemia (I have low iron count). I do take an iron and vitamin supplement for my low iron count. I hope my iron count goes back to normal and once that happens and I get the okay to donate blood again.

Thanks for letting me know that you Actually have donated blood since surgery.  Thats good to know for me.

You're welcome.

Both the surgeons I consulted with said I would be able to donate blood 6 months to a year after surgery.

That makes sense.  I have a hard time believing that our chemistries are going to be messed up for life.....but yeh definately for awhile right after surgery.  Thanks for letting me know what your surgeons said. 

MVH is a great hospital! Who is your surgeon? I am from Dayton too!


I was never told I couldn't donate blood... very odd. I would double check with your surgeon (not the RN) and see what they say. The RN may have misunderstood the information or just forgot to add its for a period of time. Who knows. 

Dr. Teel is my surgeon.  I like him alot and my surgery was a breeze.  I just started digging through papers and it wasn't only that pre-op surgery testing group Rn that said it......It is on my discharge from the hospital papers.   It's under Special Considerations:  If you have donated blood in the past, you will no longer be able to donate blood after your procedure.  Its right on the front page of my discharge papers that I had to sign. I could understand the first year or so, but forever.  I am going into the Medical Laboratory Technician program and one of the requirements is to be able to donate blood??  I don't know how this is going to go.  Oh Well....Thanks for the responses!!

I am a MLT (ASCP) as well as an RN. If you have a medical reason you are unable to donate, I do believe it would be discrimination to not allow you in the program for that reason alone. Visit with your program director, and good luck with your career!!! :) 

Thanks for your words of encouragement.  My program director is a sweet lady who had the Rny done 2 years ago herself so I'm pretty sure she will accommodate me one way or another.