Really low blood pressure post-op

Hi guys,

me again. I have had wildly low blood pressure since I was released from the hospital. I get dizzy as soon as I get up and taking a shower was a bit of an experience just now. I haven't been able to take a walk unless it's down my hallway, much less being able to go out and enjoy the sunshine.

Did you experience this too? Am I crazy or is this my new normal for a while?

Looks like you just had the surgery. Some people can deal with a longer time recovery from anesthesia. Some people report feeling off for 7-10 days after any major surgery. And having RNY - is a major surgery.

Are you taking any pain medication? They can cause low BP, or feeling dizzy, off.

Are you drinking enough liquids? Not drinking enough may cause dehydration and lower BP. But drinking just plain water, and not getting enough minerals - electrolytes (sodium, magnesium, potassium, etc.) may cause another form of dehydration since we need the electrolytes to keep the liquids inside our bodies.

When I star filling like you describe, yes, even now, almost 11 years post op, it often means that I don't get enough liquids, or enough electrolytes. To fix that - I often make and drink a nice serving of chicken or beef broth. I often had to make sure that I get enough sodium daily in my diet. I don;t eat a lot, plus most foods I eat are simple, or homemade, and I often, specifically in summertime, i may take a salt capsule, or eat a fair serving of pickles, or olives. I often crave them (pickles, olives) when I don't get enough sodium in my diet.

I can so relate. When I was in the hospital a couple of weeks ago mine was 72/58 and they could not get it up for a couple of days.

Drinking lots of water will help you and so will adding some salt to your diet. Make sure you get up slowly from a sitting or laying down position. One of the big risks is fainting, and hitting your head on something on the way down. Do everything you can to avoid that.

Maybe call your surgeon or your nurse as well; they'll likely have other ideas you can try.

Good luck, I hope it gets better. Blood pressure issues can be quite disabling and are absolutely no fun.

Thanks so much. I finally was able to add some Nori to my diet today. The salt helped a lot and I'm up on water. ð?'

I had the same problems after my surgery. I went off my blood pressure meds with in 2 weeks. My dr gave me a blood pressure monitor to track my bp for 3 days. I was told it is quite normal for people to stop having to take their bp pills shortly after having a rny.I would contact your dr. Also make sure u are getting enough water as if u are dehydrated It can cause the same problems.

Congrats on the no blood pressure meds. That happened to me also and it felt so good!

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Drink, drink, drink. Dehydration is the single biggest complication after surgery. Extra fluid will always help blood pressure.

What you are experiencing now, just a few days after surgery, is just a result of having majir surgery.

But.

Low blood pressure is an extremely common result of losing a lot of weight, whether you had surgery or not.

Look up orthostatic hypotension. That's the technical term.

Our obese bodies grow lots of extra veins, miles of them, to supply blood to our large bodies. Eventually, your skinny body no longer needs that expanded network. That what will lower your blood pressure as you lose lots of weight.

As an analogy, imagine turning on the water in all the faucets and showers and toilets in your neighborhood at once. Water pressure will drop. That's what happens as a result of obese folks becoming skinny.

Your body will adapt. Orthostatic hypotension is rare after the first year. But it can give you a scare when it happens.

Grim, I've never seen it explained that way but such a great analogy!

Awesome post!

OP, be aware that this may be your new normal. At almost 15 years out, I still get orthostatic hypertension!