"Low BP as a result of Rapid Weight Loss"

That is the primary doc's verdict on my continuing dizziness.  My "nervous" blood pressure in the office was 100/60.   Laying down it was 90 / 58.  I think the tech didn't get an accurate reading when I stood because it took her probably 30 full seconds to get going - but it was 112/something.   I was incredibly dizzy when I first stood, but had recovered by the time she did her reading.

 A couple of weeks ago I asked the office manager at the surgeon's office did I see him or my primary for the dizziness. She said go to my primary. Well, they are sending me back to Dr. Friedman.  I know he will be more than happy to talk to me, but I don't know what to expect?

The PA at my doc's office said something along the lines of my heart pumping so hard to take care of the heavier me that the blood vessels were bigger or something? and that now that I have lost weight the vessels are relaxed, but still big ?  (I guess like the skin on my arms :)  ).
Anyway, I was supposed to call Dr. Friedman today and I forgot, so I'll have to do that first thing in the morning.

Anybody heard of this sort of thing?

i havent heard of it but theoretically your body should still have the same amount of blood and if you aren't dehydrated, it should have the same blood volume as your vessels.. be they large or small.

but then again, wow.. you lost 143 pounds in 7 months? heck, maybe they are right! maybe your body just hasn't caught up yet!

do you restrict your sodium? if so, then it might be too restricted. you have to get enough sodium for your body to retain enough water to give your blood enough volume. my mother has this issue and has to track her sodium to make sure she gets enough.

I count the 36lbs I lost on my pre-surg diet too ... I figure I worked hard for it too...

I do restrict sodium pretty tightly, but I don't keep track of it or anything.

Had to edit because I forgot I used to drink a lot of Powerade zero, which is high sodium, and I cut back quite a bit on it.

How many carbs are you eating per day?  Many WLS patients experience dizziness when they are not getting enough carbs and as soon as they add in some additional good carbs, the dizziness subsides.

My BP was a "very normal" 120/80 when I was 330+ pounds.  Now it runs 90-100 over about 64-70.  When I am stressed it is 104 over something.  The only time it has been up to 120 again since my RNY was when i was having extreme belly pain adn wehn I was passing a kidney stone!  I had the dizziness at about 5-6 months out.  I added some additional healthy carbs (and fats as well... I was noticing very dry skin and was starting to suddenly have some constipation) and the dizziness subsided within a few days.

Lora

thanks....

I was the same way.... low BP, low cholesterol, good bloodwork etc at my heaviest weight. I just knew it was a matter of time though since my mom has so many issues, including diabetes.

 I actually eat a lot of carbs (80-100) - they come from dairy (cheese mostly), protein shakes, quest bars and veggies. I don't eat any rice or pasta at this point and the only bread I have had (other than a slice of pizza last night) has been P28 protein bread.

Well it's not the carbs then, LOL. 

Lora

Technically, weight gain doesn't change the diameter of your blood vessels (unless you are unlucky to have plaque build-up that diminishes the vessel lumen), but your body needs to nourish the fat tissue, so often the vessels will slowly branch out to feed the expanding tissues. Once you lose weight, it is true that your heart doesn't have to work so hard to get the blood to move around a smaller space, thus your need for antihypertensive medication also decreases. Once you grow these smaller branches of your blood vessels they do not go away when you get smaller. Sounds like a good exam with smart medication dose reduction, or stoppage is what you need. Dizziness is a concerning safety issue, and you deserve a good workup if it's not medication related.

  That makes more sense.   I haven't been on any bp meds ever, mine has always been low.  They did call me in a prescription of something to "help regulate" my blood pressure, but I didn't make it to pick it up today so I don't know what it is.

I am sorry to tell you that your doctor doesn't know what she is talking about - losing weight doens't cause low blood pressure unless there are other factors causing the low blood pressure.  And what you called NERVOUS BLOOD PRESSURE - that is high blood pressure, not low pressure - it is a new diagnosis that is in medical books because it is so common, mainly in women - I am sorry to be biased but it is true - it is caused White Coated Hypertension  = the women go in and see the doctors and get so nervous, there blood pressures skyrocket.  I don't think how much you weight determines how big your blood vessels are.

It is more likely that since you are 2 months out - that you aren't getting in enough fluids -the most common cause for low blood pressure - I can't beleive that both your surgeon and PCP couldnt figure that out.  You need to make sure you are getting in atleast 60 fluids per day and if possible 80 ounces per day - this will help with the blood pressure, reverse the dehydration and prevent kidney stones which we are at high risk from after surgery.  I have had 3 surgeries already from kidney stones and have an appointment next week to find out if they are back.  You need to drink