Have you ever considered donating blood? It is one of the most altruistic and supportive gestures that you can carry out, so if you have not attended yet, we recommend that you do so. Blood has an expiration date, so it’s very necessary throughout the year for those who need it most, don’t you think?
However, it is normal for thousands of questions about donating blood to arise. Above all, around whether or not you can donate with certain diseases, pathologies or even if you just got a piercing or a tattoo. Can I donate blood if I have had surgery? You will ask yourself.
Donate blood after surgery
- There are three groups when we differentiate possible donors: those who can donate without problem, those who cannot donate (such as chronic patients) or those who cannot donate for a specific time but it is a period of temporary exclusion.
- As in the case of tattoos or piercings, or even when you take a trip to a tropical country, surgeries are also included in this last temporary group that we have just mentioned. After them there is an exclusion period, that is, a certain time after the operation in which we cannot donate. This time varies depending on the type of intervention you have undergone:
Minor surgical interventions
- Minor surgical interventions are a set of techniques that usually involve local anesthesia and, in addition, have a generally short duration. They include a series of simple surgical procedures and are, for example, hernia operations, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, and a long list of interventions.
- In this case, the exclusion period for donating blood is 7 days. Although obviously this can vary and the main thing is that you are fully recovered. If after 8 days you are not, you must wait until you are in optimal conditions to go to donate.
Major surgical interventions
- These types of interventions refer to more complex surgical procedures, which entail a longer duration, more risk and general or regional anesthesia. These cases include any operation that involves opening and penetration into the body cavity, such as hip, knee or heart surgery. In all these cases, the exclusion period for donating blood is 4 months, when it is considered that there is no probability of infection and the patient is recovered.
- Although these are general guidelines that extend and explain hospitals and blood donation points, it doesn’t hurt to ask your doctor about your operation. It will be he or she who will explain to you how long you will have to wait and the recommendations that you will have to follow, because they will know better than anyone the process you are carrying out and how you are recovering.
Why is it important to donate blood?
- We are used to hearing that, if we can and our physical conditions allow it, we should donate blood. But, on many occasions, leaving the comfort zone to go to a donation center is not easy. If we think about it carefully, it will only be making a small effort, overcoming a fear in exchange for saving lives.
- Blood is necessary and we cannot and should not hide behind the fact that there are many donors. Blood units are used on a daily basis, and as you may already know, blood cannot be crafted. If the number of donors decreased considerably, there would be a very serious problem. In addition, during the holiday periods there are more accidents, so it is necessary for donors to come the previous months to have sufficient reserves.
- Do you still need more reasons to go to donate blood? Do not wait more! Those who need it most are waiting impatiently for you to come and donate. And, if you have any questions, do not forget to consult with your family doctor all your questions.