Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 I gave blood about 6 mos. post-op. All my bloodwork is normal, so I don't see a problem. Dianne B. Houston, TX June 11, 2001 291/150/145 Open RNY Dr. Jayakumar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 I gave blood about 6 mos. post-op. All my bloodwork is normal, so I don't see a problem. Dianne B. Houston, TX June 11, 2001 291/150/145 Open RNY Dr. Jayakumar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 In a message dated 9/29/02 5:23:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jalgrogan@... writes: > How soon after having wls can we begin donating blood? How being tested for > bone marrow? ------------------- My doctor cleared me to donate blood 4-6 months after my WLS. I have not had any deleterious effects from donating, though I have been deferred a couple of times due to low hematocrit or other iron levels. But, even pre-WLS I was occasionally deferred for the same reasons. (I, too, am a regular blood donator.) HOWEVER, you should follow your doctor's advice on this. Not what we here have been told by our doctors and what we do. ;^) In Charlottesville, VA RNY w/ gall bladder removal, 3/31/99, 318 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 In a message dated 9/29/02 5:23:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time, jalgrogan@... writes: > How soon after having wls can we begin donating blood? How being tested for > bone marrow? ------------------- My doctor cleared me to donate blood 4-6 months after my WLS. I have not had any deleterious effects from donating, though I have been deferred a couple of times due to low hematocrit or other iron levels. But, even pre-WLS I was occasionally deferred for the same reasons. (I, too, am a regular blood donator.) HOWEVER, you should follow your doctor's advice on this. Not what we here have been told by our doctors and what we do. ;^) In Charlottesville, VA RNY w/ gall bladder removal, 3/31/99, 318 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 My surgeon's answer for FEMALE non-menopausal women who have had WLS is NEVER on blood donation. For women who are past menopause and men, his answer is when your iron levels have been normal or high-normal for at least two years. He just considers us, as a population, very much at risk for anemia anyway and he sees blood donation as voluntarily inducing temporary anemia for many of us. I've never asked him about the bone marrow situation; I would assume that the answer would be similar. I was REALLY bummed about the prohibition on donating blood, and it's something I neglected to ask about before surgery. I was an every-eight-weeks person before my WLS for more than ten years, a good habit I picked up from my dad, who has donated every 8-10 weeks since 1964. :-) I have considered " sneaking " off to the blood drive next time they're here at work and seeing if I can get away with it, and if I can, if it wipes me out. But my iron levels are iffy so I might not make it past the blood drive screening anyway. Moseley Open RNY 09/17/01 Dr. Weber Reconstructive/plastic surgery 07/22/02 Dr. Egrari 310/135/125 http://www.ziobro.us Blood donation I have a curious question for you longer post-ops and would appreciate any and all replies. How soon after having wls can we begin donating blood? How being tested for bone marrow? I know that there is a weight restriction on the bone marrow testing (not sure exactly what it is), but I have always wanted to do this and now I believe I can (or shortly will be able to). I take two iron tables per day, so I don't have a problem with anemia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 > I have a curious question for you longer post-ops and would appreciate > any and all replies. How soon after having wls can we begin donating > blood? How being tested for bone marrow? I know that there is a weight > restriction on the bone marrow testing (not sure exactly what it is), > but I have always wanted to do this and now I believe I can (or shortly > will be able to). I take two iron tables per day, so I don't have a > problem with anemia. I believe both require at least 3mo. post op for the anesthesia to be out of your system. the thing with blood donation is that our liver enzymes tend to run high and that shows up after the donation and they toss the blood. it also seemed to make me very tired for about 3days as compared to just a few hours. I had done the bone marrow testing prior to wls but was called after - they did not use me as a donor because of my osteoporosis. but I am still on the list since I am no longer osteoporosis but osteopenia. sue > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 > I have a curious question for you longer post-ops and would appreciate > any and all replies. How soon after having wls can we begin donating > blood? How being tested for bone marrow? I know that there is a weight > restriction on the bone marrow testing (not sure exactly what it is), > but I have always wanted to do this and now I believe I can (or shortly > will be able to). I take two iron tables per day, so I don't have a > problem with anemia. I believe both require at least 3mo. post op for the anesthesia to be out of your system. the thing with blood donation is that our liver enzymes tend to run high and that shows up after the donation and they toss the blood. it also seemed to make me very tired for about 3days as compared to just a few hours. I had done the bone marrow testing prior to wls but was called after - they did not use me as a donor because of my osteoporosis. but I am still on the list since I am no longer osteoporosis but osteopenia. sue > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 > I have a curious question for you longer post-ops and would appreciate > any and all replies. How soon after having wls can we begin donating > blood? How being tested for bone marrow? I know that there is a weight > restriction on the bone marrow testing (not sure exactly what it is), > but I have always wanted to do this and now I believe I can (or shortly > will be able to). I take two iron tables per day, so I don't have a > problem with anemia. I believe both require at least 3mo. post op for the anesthesia to be out of your system. the thing with blood donation is that our liver enzymes tend to run high and that shows up after the donation and they toss the blood. it also seemed to make me very tired for about 3days as compared to just a few hours. I had done the bone marrow testing prior to wls but was called after - they did not use me as a donor because of my osteoporosis. but I am still on the list since I am no longer osteoporosis but osteopenia. sue > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 , How about donating platelets instead of whole blood. Although you have to have an iron level of at least 12.5, donating platelets does not deplete your iron or red blood cells. They only take the platelets. I had my surgery on May 29, 02 and my surgeon just cleared me for platelet pheresis. I donate next Monday evening and I am so excited. I have been doing it every two weeks since my son died in October 1998, with the exception of right after surgery. Sheri In Sunny Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 , How about donating platelets instead of whole blood. Although you have to have an iron level of at least 12.5, donating platelets does not deplete your iron or red blood cells. They only take the platelets. I had my surgery on May 29, 02 and my surgeon just cleared me for platelet pheresis. I donate next Monday evening and I am so excited. I have been doing it every two weeks since my son died in October 1998, with the exception of right after surgery. Sheri In Sunny Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 Sorry, guys. I am not sure how my previous message got posted to everyone. I made sure that 's address was in the " to " space, but it went to the group anyway. It was truly an accident. Sorry again. Sheri In Sunny Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 Sorry, guys. I am not sure how my previous message got posted to everyone. I made sure that 's address was in the " to " space, but it went to the group anyway. It was truly an accident. Sorry again. Sheri In Sunny Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 Sorry, guys. I am not sure how my previous message got posted to everyone. I made sure that 's address was in the " to " space, but it went to the group anyway. It was truly an accident. Sorry again. Sheri In Sunny Florida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 29, 2002 Report Share Posted September 29, 2002 I have given blood a couple of times. The first time was at about 2 years post op, and no problems. The last time, just a month ago, I found I was very weak and weary for a few days. I think it was just taking me too long to recover those red blood cells! My iron count is good. I have not been tested for marrow, however I have been thinking of doing that. My liver enzymes have never come back as high. There is a weight restriction of 110 pounds minimum, but hey, I will never, ever see that weight! Alice in NY > I have a curious question for you longer post-ops and would appreciate any and all replies. How soon after having wls can we begin donating blood? How being tested for bone marrow? I know that there is a weight restriction on the bone marrow testing (not sure exactly what it is), but I have always wanted to do this and now I believe I can (or shortly will be able to). I take two iron tables per day, so I don't have a problem with anemia. Jerri in MI Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2002 Report Share Posted September 30, 2002 > Here's some information that might help anyone out there with a history of anemia decide if they can donate blood. > > Pull back the lower lid of your eye just a little, and look at the shade of pink you see. If it is a solid pink to red, you are probably not anemic. If it is white or white-pink, you probably are. *********************************************' My surgeon always checked to see the color of the palms of my hands. If white, not getting enough. Nice pink color means all is good. Dawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2002 Report Share Posted September 30, 2002 I was told today that it doesn't matter if I donate for this little child or not... they are going to charge the same for the blood either way. So I guess they won't miss mine if I don't donate... felt rather bad signing up and then having to say " I can't " ... now I don't... still need to find out more... need to talk to my doctor... Betty Re: Blood donation Here's some information that might help anyone out there with a history of anemia decide if they can donate blood. Pull back the lower lid of your eye just a little, and look at the shade of pink you see. If it is a solid pink to red, you are probably not anemic. If it is white or white-pink, you probably are. The people taking care of me during my wound complication used this method frequently. I've learned what the mucous membrane around my eye looks like when I'm healthy, so now I can tell when I'm getting anemic. The only time I've been anemic is when battling a wound complication. Other than that, I don't have a problem. I don't menstruate (had cancer) but when I'm running low, I take carbonyl iron with a vitamin C and seem to get a healthy blood count in no time. Personally, I think anyone who's had a distal bypass or one of the other high-malabsorption surgeries should check with their surgeon before donating. Homepage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG Unsubscribe: mailto:Graduate-OSSG-unsubscribe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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