Question:
Has any one developed high blood pressure after surgery?

I am 11 months post op and am down 97 pounds, before losing the weight I have always had excelent blood pressure and now I have high blood pressure. I do not have high blood pressure all the time, I just have spikes in my blood pressure and when this happens I pass out. Has any one else had this happen to them after losing the weight?    — Marcy S. (posted on February 4, 2004)

February 4, 2004
Marcy, Totally happened to me! Here's how it went. Before my DS I weighed 365 lbs, had diabetes, hypertension (185/115 with meds!), sleep apnea, CHF, GERD, etc., etc., etc... Had surgery 7/2/02 - was off of my HTN meds by the end of the first week! (As well as done with diabetes, GERD, sleep apnea, etc.) Stayed off of them until I was about 9 months out - and wammo - my B/P started spiking! I was totally amazed because I'd lost like 140 lbs by then. But, I had to go back on B/P meds - granted, a lower dose, but still had to go back on them. Let's see that was April 2003. Had hernia repair/abdominoplasty in May - stayed on the B/P meds. Summer came, by my 1 yr anniversary, I was down 175 lbs, and still on the B/P meds! September rolls around and I'm feeling AWFUL - I mean as dogged as you can imagine - totally wiped out - kinda like someone pulled the plug, you know? So I stop by the B/P machine in the grocery store and took my pressure. It was 96/53. DUH! No wonder I was so dogged - my B/P was too low! That was the last day I took meds for my B/P. It's been perfect ever since. Totally wierd, but I'm not the only one I've heard of this happening with. In fact, I think I did a search here and found a couple of other people had been through it, too. I just kept telling myself, "I'm the only WLS patient in the world who GETS HTN post-op!" It was a major pity party! LOL! Make sure to talk to your PCP about it - it's important to get on meds if it's too high. Oh - and not getting enough water in can be a problem with the B/P, too. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

February 4, 2004
Hi, <br> I tried reading profiles, but there isn't a lot posted that could give me any clues! Blood pressure is related to many many factors, not just weight! As we age, we tend to develop high blood pressure. There is a degree of genetics involved. Some races are more prone to high blood pressure than others. Then there are external factors...stress, lifestyle, etc. Look around...there are loads of skinny folks who have blood pressures out the roof! If your high blood pressure is caused <b>solely</b> by obesity, losing the weight should get rid of it. But losing weight will not change the other factors involved! Hope this helps some.<br> Linda
   — Linda S.

February 4, 2004
I was hypertensive prior to surgery on Sept 24th 2003. My blood pressure fluctuated a great deal to the point that my PCP took me off my old pill and placed me on 3 types. Now you would think THREE pilss would lower it...Recently I took myself off those pills and started back taking my Maxide...walla..my bp is now back under control. I crave salty things..especially olives. Sugars never has been an issue for me...so I ultimately had to cut them way back and hope to eventually be rid of them totally.
   — TerryS