donating blood

[mazbrad]

hello all hope u all well. i have a question to ask? can i still donate blood after having bypass?

 

[happy days]

I can't see why not but think you will have to wait 1 year post op.

 

[mazbrad]

ok ty i think i will ring them to check, i been donating last 5 years would be shame to have to stop

 

[happy days]

Pity there wasn't more people willing to donate blood and organs. My son has had loads of ops and transfusions so people like you are so important.

 

[mazbrad]

the best of it i scared silly of needles lol. my father in law has scirrosis of liver needed a blood trans one day, the nurse was very rude and told him people who self inflict abuse the service, so leaving hossie i past a sign saying give blood today so i drove a mile before i could turn round and went and registered and gave blood. never looked back every 12 weeks or so i give it now. one good turn i can say i do and proud of doing. dont tell anybody but i close my eyes lol scared stiff x

 

[happy days]

Well done you. It's even nicer to know you overcome your fears to help, proud of you.

 

[TwinkleTwinkle]

Agreed Happy, All my family give blood as my dad died of leukemia when I was 16, but he was kept alive for 5 yrs by receiving regular transfusions. We have a rare blood group (ABneg) and at that time there was just one man with the same blood type on the register & he lived 200miles from us but he gave blood every 6 weeks for the full 5 yrs which was remarkable given that you were only supposed to give 6 mnthly at that time. We will always be grateful to that anonymous man so do our best to give as much as we can. I could not give for a while after I had glandular fever & actually missed it. I am sure there is no reason not to give after WLS, Maz but you need to be fully recovered yourself, first, hon

 

[happy days]

Spend half my time trying yo explain to people the importance of donation weather it be blood or organ I think people think there is a ever lasting supply. Ignorance is bliss etc etc.
I Spend the other half talking about my weight Loss ha ha ha

 

[mazbrad]

lol happy. hugsssssssssssss

 

[lamornamiss]

Ive got my donor card and my kids carry them as well never given blood though (I'm a needle phobe) but would consider it

Let us know what the blood donors say because I'm sure that someone has said before that you can't donate after WLS

 

[Josiegirl]

All my family give blood regularly as we are all Rh O Neg so very useful to have as is suitable for almost everyone. (See I am as common as muck).

Sadly when I got put on to medication and insulin for my diabetes I had to stop as they didn't want it from me anymore. If my diabetes goes away after my bypass then perhaps I can apply again in the future

 

[mazbrad]

i dont have any medical probs just FAT lol. im taking the lansoprazole and fasttab and vitamins. so hoping i should be able too

 

[Louanne79]

I've given blood ever since I've been old enough, with time off after piercings/tattoos.
I'm O-Neg so am always 'in demand'. When I was put on Metformin for my diabetes, I had to stop, but now post-op, I am no longer classed as diabetic by my team, so am hoping I can go back to donating once the post-surgery period is up.
I have my organ donor status registered on my driving license, and would gladly give platelets or bone marrow if I could.
It's so worthwhile, and one of the best gifts you can give to others.

 

[Big an Bouncy]

I was refused cos I had a transfusion when I had my hysterectomy,once you are recovered and your blood levels are ok I cant see a problem.Thats another good thing about keyhole surgery less blood loss!

 

[Neeta]

I also asked this same question when I last gave blood and they told me that so long as my B12 levels were ok then they couldn't see a problem. Hope this helps.

 

[shannon_hilder]

about a 1 1/2 years after i had my band in place i went to go give blood, i was turned down because of the fills i had to have...they considered them an invasive procedure...also they were concerned that i wouldnt be able to make up the nutrients i needed afterwards.... i havent tried since i had my bypass but this could also be the case..i would go onto the blood.co.uk website and see if there is a way you can email them and ask specifically.... no good getting your hopes up just to get them dashed down on the day, try and find out before hand...the only people that can give you a certain answer is the people who take your blood for donation..i hope you can though, let me know please if you are able to xxxx

 

[penguina]

http://www.wlsurgery.com/wlsurgery/90154-giving-blood-after-surgery.html

This was one of the first threads I went on when I first joined. Some interesting thoughts, and a good post and link at the end.

Still don't know the answer though