Why can't we donate blood?

[TES 858]

My surgeon says not to donate for 6 months after surgery if you are post-VSG.

[scorpio2479 237]

I donated 5 mths post-op w/out any issues & plan on donating in the future.

[BethinPA 305]

I'm looking at the binder of info my surgeon's office gave me' date=' and it says I won't be able to donate blood any more after having the sleeve. Why's that?[/quote']

I donated 3 months out, no problem. My surgeon was aware and had no issues with it. My Iron levels and blood work were fine.

[KDReetz 2]

I'm 6 months post-sleeve. My Dr said I could donate blood. I went today, my Iron level was good & my donation went smoothly. I feel fine

Edited May 24, 2017 by KDReetz
Used the word "fine" too many times. Lol

[rainyann 118]

I donated blood all the time... I donated 1 month prior to my sleeve. At my 3 week post-op visit I asked if I could donate and the surgeon asked me to just wait until my 3 month visit to see my blood work.... She did not say I could not donate any longer

[njgal 535]

As per my surgeon's office: we can if we have to but are encouraged not to just for the sake of donating.. has to do with Iron levels

[Redmaxx 740]

I have never heard of that before. I know that I was banned from giving blood for awhile because I was in the desert (sand fleas carry infections) but now it is just because I lived in Europe in the 1990s (mad cow disease).

[braydens.momma 34]

My mom had the bypass 5 years ago and she donates her platelets monthly with no issues [emoji173]️

[barbjhix 0]

I had RNY gastric bypass in 2001 and was told never to donate again because of the mal-absorption issues. My Vitamin and mineral levels would deplete to quickly.

[Olypie 41]

I donated blood at my 6 month mark. I talked to the people at the Red Cross and they told me it was fine.

I’ve not had any side effects from it and will be donating again in November.

[Olypie 41]

I donated blood at my 6 month mark. I talked to the people at the Red Cross and they told me it was fine.

I’ve not had any side effects from it and will be donating again in November.

[knopfler 0]

Weight loss surgery is not in itself a contraindication on the official donation questionnaire. Here it is, for reference:

http://www.aabb.org/tm/questionnaires/Documents/dhq/v2/DHQ v2.0.pdf

It sounds like your doctor thought it wouldn't be a great idea given your personal health history - but there's absolutely no blanket ban.