Orthostatic Hypotension

This is really common in that first year postop. We really abused our circulatory system when we hit morbid obesity.

No matter how much you are drinking, more will help. 64 ounces is just acrecommendation, and many need more. A lot more. If I don't get 120 ounces, I feel like death.

More salt and other electrolytes. There are a bunch of recent studies showing that all the warnings about salt have no scientific basis. A good overview is here

Stand up slowly. Continue pumping your legs.

I passed out a couple of times from OH. Be careful. It will eventually get better.

More salt, more fat, more meat. I like you.

OH - means you are dehydrated - and you body is not able to keep water and minerals?.

Low carb- low salt diet combination may leaves us dehydrated. Getting extra salt and other minerals (magnesium, potassium, etc) is critical.

Pickles. Olives. Make sure they are NSA - no sugar added.

Homemade eggdrop soup. Or just drink any stock - or bone broth.

Summer is coming - make sure to use salt and hydrate well before any activity- even just going to the park...Or a concert.. I made that mistake once. Summer concert. Ugh.

If you plan lots of outdoor activities in summer - you can buy "salt capsules" (any athletic type store has them) to have with you...In case you need it. I am taking mine with me when I go on a cruise.

Orthostatic Hypotension is super normal post-op. For most people, it'll pass within a year.

For me, it didn't. So I wen to see a cardiologist at the recommendation of my surgeon and here's the advice I got:

1. pump your legs (you know this one already)
2. increase salt and electrolytes - the only people who have to watch their sodium consumption are people who have a medical reason to. Yes, americans tend to get too much thanks to processed food, but for those of us who don't eat processed foods it's not a concern. My drink of choice is crystal light lemonade powder in water, so now I mix in some G2 powder as well at the advice of my cardiologist. Adding in some sort of sports drink to your life (preferably a zero calorie one) is a good plan.
3. compression stocking to help keep blood from pooling in your extremities. Sadly, compression tights are best vs the lower options. These don't work well for me due to the excess skin since it just causes moisture to trap under my panniculus and that's no good.

If it continues, consider making an appointment with a cardiologist to get your leg veins and heart checked out with ultrasound.

Thanks! I was drinking a sports drink (zero cal) when I first had surgery. For some reason they all taste like garbage to me now. I now love just plain old ice water, but it still does go down slower. I'll look into a few new flavors and see if I can find something to tolerate. I'm also just going to try to up my water intake.

I have seen a cardiologist semi-recently due to palatalization (benign) and had an echo-cardiogram and stress test which were both totally normal, plus a halter monitor for 48 hours. I will go back to see him if it doesn't resolve when my weight loss slows.

Auto-Correct Fail on palpitations and I can't edit!