Can you donate blood post-op? How many months should you wait before doing so?

We seem to get mixed reviews on this one. Some of us can without trouble, but you might want to run the question by your doc.

I don't think you would be able to eat enough calories to get your strength back and not feel light headed before the 1 year mark. Maybe 9 months. It definitely shouldn't be something you try before you can eat 1200 calories a day at least, every day.

Still this is a question best reserved for your Dr.

I did at both 6 and 9 months post op, but I'm over the 3 gallon mark, lifetime, with Red Cross. I'm an O neg and get called every 6 weeks. I drank extra water both before and after and brought my own "snack" that was protein rather than the juice and cookies that are usually offered. At 9 months I did packed red blood cells. Check with your team, but I think a lot of it has to do with how your body reacted to donating blood before surgery.