Question:
After 8 months, why do I have lower body numbness?

I am 8 months post op and 112 lbs lost. I haven't had any exceptional problems along the way. My Dr has done lab work every 3 months and all reports good. A few weeks ago I started experiencing numbness in both legs, feet and the crotch area. The numbness comes and goes but lately is more often. Any information is appreciated. Thank you.    — Patricia H. (posted on November 9, 2001)

November 9, 2001
Hi Patricia, I wouldn't necessarily relate numbness to being post-op WLS. It could be many things. I would definitely contact your primary care doc and ask for a referral to a neurologist. Certainly numbness in the legs and feet could cause falls, and I'm sure you don't want to get into trouble that way. Good luck. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 9, 2001
You said your doctor has checked your labs..did he mention anything about Vitamin b-12 levels? My doctor has warned me that if I don't take my daily B-12 that one of the side effects would be numbness in the extremities. Just a thought...I hope it's something as simple as that! Good luck! :) Nicole
   — DolcezzaVT

November 9, 2001
A friend just told me that one time she lost a bunch of weight and had numbness in her extremities due to low potassium. Get your potassium levels checked!
   — careywatkins

November 9, 2001
I have a lot of problems with low potassim. When it drops to dangerous levels, so far I always can tell. First I get light headed then my "upper" body goes numb. Read my profile if you want to know more. If you do have low potassim it is VERY dangerous. DON'T WAIT. GET A BLOOD TEST NOW. Go to the emergency room if you can't see your doctor. Low potassium may cause a heart attack. I've had to have potassium by IV in the emergency room twice but it beats getting a heart attack. Low potassim effects the muscles and of course the heart is a big muscle. Don't wait.
   — Danmark

November 9, 2001
Patricia, Numbness in your feet and legs could be alot of things. If your labs are O.K. and your doc has checked your Potasium Levels you really need to see a Neurologist it may be MS. Good Luck!
   — [Anonymous]

November 15, 2005
My wife is post-op 1 & 1/2 years, her problems are close to yours, but to the extreme. this may answer your question, but you may not want to hear it. her surgery took place in April, and (being Military) we moved in July. when we moved, i took 45 days of leave, and we spent all 45 days on the road, visiting relatives, etc. one big problem with that... ROAD FOOD. during the last week gone, she experienced the same numbness, and we moved into our new housethe following week. by this time she had a "sleep" feeling (like when your foot falls asleep) in both her feet, and lower legs. and it did not ever go away. it made it hard for her to sleep, and function normally. And with all of this, and her other mental issues over concern, etc. she started getting panic attacks which were so bad, that she needed to be ambulanced to the hospital for an IV of medicine to treat that. Her pain in her lower legs and feet got so bad she couldn't wear shoes, or even have the bedsheets over her feet. This was directly caused by a vitamin B complex deficiency, and a potassium deficiency, which took place over such a time as to cause semi-permanent (or at least long term) nerve damage to her lower legs and feet. When you look up this condition it is called "Burning Foot Syndrome" it normally happens in third world countries afflicted with famine, and in old people. we also learned that the portion of her intestine that they took out of her GI (she had a full RNY) Happened to be the specific area that she absorbed more of her B complex vitamins than the other areas of her tract. It's been over a year since, and she is on all manner of medication to keep her pain down, she gets B-12 shots monthly(more often if needed), the occasional slow potassium drip, a multi-vitamin, iron pills, potassium pills, B-12 pills, B-6 pills, ambien, gabitril, and a whole slew of other meds that she goes on and off of as needed. all told, in one day she takes about twelve different pills. And god forbid she gets actually sick. Add marital issues, self-confidence issues, constant pain, consistant tiredness, reducing muscle mass, The nasty bronchitis she just got over, the bad drug interactions that happen from time to time, you name it, she has had a pretty tough time. But though all this, i love her dearly, and i have never left her side, even when she has left mine. (marriage counselors can work wonders, when they are post-op themselves)
   — sparky_vq3