Does Weight Loss Surgery Lower Blood Pressure in the First Month?
A 2026 study found that blood pressure dropped measurably within the first week after gastric sleeve surgery and kept falling over the following month. The researchers also examined how the heart's pumping activity shifted during that early period after surgery.
Forty People Were Tracked for One Month Using Heart Scans and Blood Pressure Monitoring
Forty people with obesity took part, with an average age of around 45 and an average body mass index of 42. Researchers measured blood pressure at the bedside and over 24 hours using a wearable monitoring device, and used echocardiography (an ultrasound scan of the heart) to check how the heart was working. Readings were taken at one week and again at one month after gastric sleeve surgery.
Blood Pressure Dropped Within One Week and Roughly Doubled That Drop by One Month
On average, systolic blood pressure (the higher number in a blood pressure reading) fell by about 5 mmHg within the first week. By one month, that drop had roughly doubled to around 10 mmHg. The researchers also recorded early changes in the volume of blood the heart was pumping each beat, though those changes appeared to settle back toward normal within the month.
The Drop in Blood Pressure Is Clear but the Reasons Behind It Are Not Yet Fully Understood
The study showed a consistent early reduction in blood pressure after gastric sleeve surgery, but the researchers concluded that the exact reasons involve several factors and are not yet fully understood. This was a small study of 40 people followed for one month only, so the findings may not apply to everyone.
About this research: The early impact of bariatric surgery on blood pressure: A hemodynamic analysis using echocardiography in a prospective observational cohort study, Hypertension Research, 2026. Read the study summary
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