I am curious how common post-bariatric surgery hypotension is. 18 months after my bypass I was admitted to the hospital for pain that was later determined to be from a marginal ulcer. My blood pressure at that time was 78/45 after 4 liters of IV fluids even though I was in terrible pain. For the next 6 months my pressure rarely exceeded 85/55 and was as low as 61/45 one morning-I had to stay home from work, couldn't stand up. I went through a million tests, echocardiogram, EKG, endocrine testing, etc-all negative. No cause was found. I am told I have dysautonomia which is a nerve dysfunction, in this case of the blood pressure-regulating mechanism. This happens after gastric bypass sometimes. I am taking midodrine which is a medication that raises blood pressure so now my BP is usually 95/65 or so-no more passing out! Has anyone else heard of this?

10 hours ago, eudys3 said:

I am curious how common post-bariatric surgery hypotension is. 18 months after my bypass I was admitted to the hospital for pain that was later determined to be from a marginal ulcer. My blood pressure at that time was 78/45 after 4 liters of IV fluids even though I was in terrible pain. For the next 6 months my pressure rarely exceeded 85/55 and was as low as 61/45 one morning-I had to stay home from work, couldn't stand up. I went through a million tests, echocardiogram, EKG, endocrine testing, etc-all negative. No cause was found. I am told I have dysautonomia which is a nerve dysfunction, in this case of the blood pressure-regulating mechanism. This happens after gastric bypass sometimes. I am taking midodrine which is a medication that raises blood pressure so now my BP is usually 95/65 or so-no more passing out! Has anyone else heard of this?

I've heard (and experience) issues with pressure drops upon standing after resting recumbent for a while. But overall pressure hasn't ventured too far from perfect since surgery otherwise (for me anyway).

Being dizzy, lightheadedness, fainting can also be caused by low blood sugar. There is a condition that occurs in Gastric Bypass patients called Reactive Hypoglycemia. One man in our bariatric surgery support group developed that condition. After fainting one time, he figured out the cause and then learned how to control the condition. Here are a few links.

https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/

https://www.stjoes.ca/patients-visitors/patient-education/f-j/PD 7972 Reactive Hypoglycemia after Bariatric Surgery.pdf

Thanks James those links are great. I have been looking for examples of what to eat to treat a hypo after rny. Most articles tell you how to avoid it but they don’t tell you what to do to treat it.