Weight-loss surgery can lead to severe headaches

(HEALTH.USNEWS) — After weight-loss surgery, some patients may be at risk for developing severe headaches, a new study suggests.

In a small number of people, the surgery was associated with a condition known as spontaneous intracranial hypotension -- or low blood pressure in the brain. The condition can trigger headaches while standing that disappear when lying down. These headaches can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, neck stiffness and difficulty concentrating, the researchers added.

But Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of bariatric surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said the study is too small to be able to draw any firm conclusions.

"You're talking about 11 people out of more than 300, and that's a low number," said Roslin, who had no part in the study. "The other thing that's strange is that these headaches showed up an average of 56.5 months after surgery, which is a long time.

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