Does anyone know how soon after surgery you can donate blood? I had surgery in February and now I need to donate blood for one of my friends. I am sure they can tell me at the blood center, but I do not want to waste my time and go (the closest one is an hour away) if I will just be turned away.

Any thoughs would be helpful.

I had my surgery in January and just gave blood this Monday. I told the person who scheduled me that I had surgery in January, but had no transfusions and she said that it was enough time since then to give blood. I would call the blood bank and ask, but I had no problems.

My surgeon told me that I couldn't give blood for 1 year :biggrin:

I thought it was 50 days- I would call them.

Sorry your friend is in a position to need blood... Hope everything works out. Good luck.

Wow, a whole year! That's a dang long time.

A year??? That is certainly different than my experience! 3 months (assuming that your surgery did not involve any transfusions of blood products) is what I had been informed.

I would certainly call the blood donor clinic and ask before you venture out the door.

And to all who have given blood in the past, thank you from the grateful recipients!