Expert: JM Starkman, MD - 6/22/2009

Question
My blood pressure has always been on the lower end, usually about 100/70.  I had lipo under general anesthesia on 6-17-09.  On Sunday, I almost passed out, had cold sweats and dizziness.  I had to lay down for a while until I felt better.  My bp was 82/62, usually lower than my normal.  Could the surgery have something to do with my lower than normal bp and what can I do to raise it so that I don't feel sick.

Thank you!

Answer
Four days later your BP was not just low, but symptomatic.  I'd guess that after four days, any anesthesia you'd had was long dissipated/metabolized out of your system, whether you received a local infiltrative type, regional or general anesthetic.  However, you should know that this type of surgery can be associated with significant fluid loss and shifting.

Without getting overly complicated and pedantic:  Have you been hydrating (drinking fluids) well after surgery (or has your approach been to lay around taking pain medications and "getting behind" fluid-wise)?  A simple way to tell if you are relatively dehydrated is to note whether or not your urine is dilute(clear and alot=well-hydrated) or concentrated (dark and not-much-urine=dehydrated).

A more serious cause of dehydation and low blood pressure after surgery would be continued bleeding into the liposuction site with resultant anemia;   more seriously, an infection at the site and impending sepsis. See your surgeon ASAP if drinking ("pushing") fluids (alot!) does not quickly alleviate your symptoms.