Just dropping in for a quick question...

For those of you who had normal or "elevated" blood pressure (borderline but not treated with medications) prior to surgery. What is your blood pressure now? Does it drop when you stand up? Gina

Hi Gina. I had elevated bp before surgery. I was not put on a bp medication, but I did take a prescription water pill due to retaining fluids. My bp now runs around 110/70. Are you experiencing dizziness, passing out or black outs when you stand up? Since an early post op thru now, I've gone thru many times when I've gotten very dizzy when going from sitting to standing. My issue has turned out to be more related to low blood sugar rather than low bp. I hope this helps! Good Luck to You! Tracy B 328/150 5'9"

Hi Tracy, Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm having a few dizzy spells when I stand up. I have a hypogylcemic reaction if I eat starches but this is not like that. My dizziness only last a few seconds to maybe a minute. I've never actually fainted but felt like I might. I started monitoring my B/P and my average lying B/P is 120/62 but my standing B/P can be as low as 70/50. If I'm dizzy, I usually get an error message when I check it. Gina

Hi Gina, I was borderline hypertensive (running 140-145 over 85-90 regularly) pre-surgery...Now I actually have low BP( runs 90-95 over 50-60)...Doesn't seem to affect how I feel on a day to day basis, but every time I see a doctor I always get asked if my BP and heartrate are usually that low (of course, I reply "they are now", LOL)... Alesia

Alesia, Your pre-op blood pressure was similar to mine. At 90/50, I dont feel bad either but when I stand up, mine drops even lower. This morning it was 70/50. I was only slightly dizzy. When I'm real dizzy, the machine gives me an error message. Gina

I just found this out at a recent ER visit...If you're dehydrated, you BP will drop when you go from sitting to standing. This may not be your case, but it's something to think about...

Cindy, On an average day, I drink approximately a gallon a day, however, after a recent surgery, I did have an episode where I was SICK for 10-12 days and I could have dehydrated during that time. I was not able to eat but I thought I was taking in plenty of fluids. (I vomited if I ate so I may have lost more than I drank). I've been tolerating food for about 2 weeks but I'm still having dizzy spells. Gina

It's called orthostatic hypotension. Your BP is too low while resting and does not react quickly enough when you change positions. Have your PCP check it out. Jay

Jay, I had an appointment with my surgeon today and I discussed it with him. He said that as long as it clears up in less than 3 minutes (mine usually clears within a few seconds to maybe a minute) that I will be fine. He related a lot of it to the heat we are having (Alabama). I had labs and an EKG done recently and they were all fine.. well, my calcium was 2/10 of a point low.. but I was normal other than that. I know that discussing it with a surgeon is not the same as discussing it with a PCP, but I trust my sugeon and he stays current on medical issues. However, if it continues to bother me, I'll bring it up to my PCP when I see him. Gina PS I love the your avartar. What a cutie!!

48 years ago I was cute. As to his advise, if you stand up and fall down and injure yourself, it does not matter how quickly it clears up. J