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9 months out and Complications



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Hey everyone,

I had my surgery in June of last year, and I've lost almost 75 pounds. Which has been great, and tbh, I haven't really worked out, which isn't great. But I will now, I really want to tone up and gain some muscle.

But I've had an unforeseen complication that I wasn't aware of, despite my research before hand. My blood pressure is now constantly low, which it wasn't before the procedure. Sometimes it drops really low and I almost pass out, I get cold sweats, feel nauseous, hands have gotten numb. I can't tell if its a combination of the low bp plus dehydration, if its a lack of nutrition, I don't know, I made an appointment with my surgeon later this week.

Sometimes these spells come on after I've eaten something, they definitely happen if I eat something that is even slightly spicy.

On the plus side, my hair appears to have stopped falling out.

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There's many possible causes. Sounds like a vasovagal response but could be as simple as needing more fluids. Good luck at the Drs - please update and let us know how you're doing.

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I had problems with low blood pressure around 9 months too. My doctor told me to "liberally increase my intake of salt"... that was actually printed on my patient plan! It seems to have worked, as now I have far fewer issues. I was getting dizzy every time I stood up from sitting down or especially lying down. And I also sometimes just felt dizzy while out walking around and had to sit for a second to get my bearings. But I stopped worrying about sodium at all in anything I ate (still couldn't bring myself to ADD salt to things) and that seems to have done the trick. My BP is still lower than it was pre-WLS, but not dangerously low anymore.

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Silly question -- but are you taking any blood pressure medicine (that you were taking pre-op)?

If so, you really need to lower the dosage -- or maybe even stop it altogether.

If you aren't taking BP meds, ignore this post. ;)

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@@TexasGirl86 I got the lightheadedness and figured out it was dehydration. Once I upped my fluids it went away.

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My issue was also too much Water and not enough salt. @@Jamie, I was confused when my doc told me to lower my Water intake and increase my salt (strange) but now that it has corrected itself it makes perfect sense (sort of).

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I come from a family of nurses although I myself am in a different field. They told me that these issues/symptoms was a blood pressure issue and that I should drink salty chicken broth when I feel lightheaded while standing up or something. My symptoms not as severe as yours, but figured I would pass out on more than one occasion just from standing up

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

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