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

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

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.

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, 20179 yr by KDReetz
Used the word "fine" too many times. Lol

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

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

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.