Blood Donation

I am about 3.5 months post op at this point and everything has been going great. So when the blood drive came to my campus today I decided to donate blood since I hadn't done it in a while. Nothing on the paperwork mentioned surgery being a disqualifying factor either. I felt fine immediately after and skipped the required 20 min wait before leaving because I had to get to class. 2 hours later while volunteering at a booth outside I began to get dizzy. I was told by a friend that my lips were white. I sat down, drank more water and tried to eat something. It got better but not by much. It is over 5 hours later and I am still feeling dizzy and tired. I can't recall my surgeon saying not to donate blood and I never thought to ask. At my appointment last week I was told my labs were all perfect. What are the general rules regarding blood donation? Anyone else donated post-surgery and felt this way?

I was told that I would have to have written clearance by my surgeon before they would let me donate. I am a year out.

Jules

I was told that I had to wait till at least a year to 18 months out and could only donate if my labs were good.

Oops! I tend to forget that it has only been a few months from surgery because I feel so great now. Looks like I will be waiting a while until I try that again. I don't know what to do to get rid of this feeling. I have had 30 oz of fluids and 45 grams of protein since I donated and I am still dizzy and lightheaded.

I was told by my surgeon that blood donation was out after surgery.

I didn't donate for the first year post-op, but I have donated since and haven't had any issues. I would call your surgeon tomorrow and see what s/he has to say if you're still feeling lousy.

I was told not to donate blood for the first year under any cir****tances, and the doctor recommended not donating at all after RNY.

I cannot donate anyway since i take blood thinners, so I have not had any post-op experience with it.

Lora

3 years after RNY my ferritin tanked. My iron was low. I needed iron infusions. The following year - needed another series. And all that because some of us have problem absorbing iron. I don't have periods so I never expected that. I that donating blood is out for me.

Thanks everyone. Hearing about the year wait limit makes me feel foolish for doing this after less than 4 months. Live and learn I guess. I am slowly feeling better. I also signed up to be a bone marrow donor today... maybe that is out of the question too! My body is freaking out over a pint of blood - I can't imagine what it would do after donating marrow!

I was told not to donate until after 1 or 2 years postop. I am getting my labs checked soon and plan to donate the next chance I get. I am 13.5 months postop.