There is a blood drive today at the local school. I keep getting phone calls to donate because of my O- blood type. I am 5 1/2 months out from surgery and feel great. I recall reading that VSG'ers shouldn't donate blood. Is this true? Are there any negatives to me doing this? If so, what are they? Any advice would be appreciated!

I didn't see anything on the Red Cross website that prohibited us from donating blood. I would double check by calling the Red Cross for more information.

Here's a link about donating blood exclusions: http://nybloodcenter.org/donate-blood/become-donor/can-i-donate-blood/

Surgery is only an exclusion until you have healed. Look at the medications list.

I stopped giving blood when I started traveling internationally to places with Malaria and Mad Cow. Don't think they want my blood.