Donating Blood

[JamieLogical 8,710]

Before my sleeve, I used to donate blood pretty regularly. I had this whole routine of drinking a bottle of apple juice and eating some pop-tarts before hand in order to be well hydrated and make sure my blood sugar wasn't low.

I decided I would wait until I was 12 months post-op before donating blood again and that is about a month away now. The Red Cross calls me a couple of times a week wanting to schedule an appointment, so I am thinking the next time they call, I'd like to schedule something for September.

I'm a little worried about not being able to get enough calories/sugar in before and after donating now that I've been sleeved. For one thing, I hardly ever have sugar anymore and I'm worried trying to load up on it before I donate might actually make me a little sick.

Has anyone donated blood post-op? If so, what did you do to prepare and recover?

[TealSister 296]

I regularly donate as well. I tried to donate at 2 months post-op but I clotted up after about 5 minutes. Honestly I was scared I wouldn't even pass the pre-screening but hate to not donate.

I asked my surgeon about it afterwards and they said that after 12 months I should be able to donate again. Good luck!!

[JamieLogical 8,710]

I regularly donate as well. I tried to donate at 2 months post-op but I clotted up after about 5 minutes. Honestly I was scared I wouldn't even pass the pre-screening but hate to not donate.

I asked my surgeon about it afterwards and they said that after 12 months I should be able to donate again. Good luck!!

Did he give you any advice about what to eat/drink before and after?

Edit: Actually, this seems like a question I should ask my nutritionist. I'll shoot her an email!

[TealSister 296]

Just what we normally would (within boundaries). I will probably have juice before and after to be safe.

[JamieLogical 8,710]

My nutritionist got back to me and said I can have Gatorade diluted with Water to get some electrolytes and be well hydrated going in and to have fruit to get/keep my blood sugar up.

[MrsGreen84 2]

Thanks for posting this. At 5 weeks out, I was recently thinking about this. Now I know I have to wait a lot longer.

[JamieLogical 8,710]

Just wanted to post a quick update. I gave blood for my first time post-op last Thursday. I did it right after I ate lunch, so I didn't have to worry about low blood sugar or anything. Afterward I had a 4 oz. can of apple juice and two oreos. Made it through the rest of the day without incident. However, I have been having more issues with dizziness over the weekend than normal.

For a long time now I've gotten dizzy when I stand up from sitting or lying down. I've had all my levels checked and spoken to my doctor about it. The only conclusion she came to was that my blood pressure is now very low (for me, not technically in the low range medically). She told me to "liberally increase my intake of salt."

Anyway, I'd gotten pretty used to it and it had actually gotten a bit better more recently, but after donating blood I was definitely getting more intensely and frequently dizzy upon standing over the weekend. I suspect it will get better on its own as I replenish my blood.

Overall, I think it went well and plan to get back to giving blood every 8 weeks or so like I used to.