Embarrassed and struggling

[emgem 53]

This is a weird post... I don't know anyone else who has gone through this surgery so I feel a little isolated

I'm in my late 20s and I am 4 weeks post op. Surgery went great but two weeks later I couldn't keep anything down so went back to the hospital for dehydration. They couldn't see anything wrong but did an endoscopy with dialation to give me some more space where my stomach and esophagus connect. That was four days ago and I've been getting my fluids down since then.

Then... last night while washing my hair I got very light headed and dizzy. I sat down and it passed in 5-10 minutes.

Tonight, the same dizzy spell started but it didn't stop. I completely blacked out and sat in my shower for 5 minutes unable to move. I live alone so I probably freaked out a bit. Crawled out and called my sister. She yelled at me (literally) to call the dr at 8 pm on a Sunday.

DR wasn't too concerned which I am glad about. But now I fee crazy! I was supposed to be the easy patient! Young with no health issues! Why am I blacking out suddenly and is it all in my head?

Has anyone else experienced black outs before? I'm still a little light headed hours later

Sorry for the long post! I needed somewhere to express my frustration and EMBARRASSMENT!!!

[James Marusek 5,244]

Here are a few potential causes.

1. If you were diabetic prior to surgery and on meds, you may have to reduce your meds at this point.

2. You may be experiencing reactive hypoglycemia. Here are a few links that might help.

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

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p48tip.shtml

https://www.healthline.com/health/hypoglycemia-without-diabetes

3. Dehydration can also cause dizziness and lightheadedness.

https://www.emedicinehealth.com/dehydration_in_adults/page3_em.htm

[emgem 53]

Here are a few potential causes.
1. If you were diabetic prior to surgery and on meds, you may have to reduce your meds at this point.
2. You may be experiencing reactive hypoglycemia. Here are a few links that might help.
https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass/
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p48tip.shtml
https://www.healthline.com/health/hypoglycemia-without-diabetes
3. Dehydration can also cause dizziness and lightheadedness.
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/dehydration_in_adults/page3_em.htm

Wow, thank you for such a wonderful reply. I'm not diabetic but I'm gonna check out those dehydration articles!

Thank you!

[JavaKnut 104]

You may not be diabetic, but you might do well to test your blood sugar to see if you dropped too low. If you aren't getting all your Proteins in, and only doing Water - that could be why.

[katieroybal 183]

I struggled with dizziness the first couple of months. My issue was blood pressure. I wasn't drinking enough Water to keep my blood pressure up. I bought a blood pressure machine that I use when I feel dizzy to help monitor how I'm doing. If I get enough water during the day, I'm fine.

[fruitandveggies 456]

I had this same issue but luckily I don't live alone! I also have no health problems. It was determined that my blood pressure was too low and hot showers make it even worse. Once I had some higher sodium broth (and then foods), I didn't feel that again. But yeah be sure to have the other issues mentioned checked too!

[emgem 53]

Thanks to everyone who responded! Can't tell you how much I appreciate it! Makes me feel a LITTLE less crazy

I talked to the DR again today who thought it might be "re-feeding syndrome"??? I guess I had such a hard time getting food down for so long my body is now having a WTF moment.

Thanks again

[travelergirl 142]

I agree with the others on the blood pressure. That is what got me. Turns out I "had" to go off my bp meds. No longer needed them.

Sent from my SM-G920V using BariatricPal mobile app

[Berry78 4,259]

A re-feeding syndrome is basically low electrolytes. Sodium, potassium, magnesium. Coconut Water is fabulous for adding a bit of sodium and a lot of potassium. I drink some almost every day. When I miss a few days, I start getting "charlie horse" muscle cramps.

Sodium, of course, comes from salt. The best sources of potassium are potatoes, coconut water, and low sodium v8. Electrolytes aren't found much in Multivitamins (you can get a separate pill over the counter for magnesium and Calcium, but not potassium).

Coconut water can be consumed at any time during the postop diets (it's a clear liquid). V8 is Tomato based, and can be irritating to a new tummy, and potatoes don't show up in most patients' plans for a long time.

[FluffyChix 17,410]

NoSalt is potassium chloride. 650mg in 1/4tsp. But you should only use it with doc's care if you're on BP meds or having trouble like this cuz potassium could push things more out of whack if it's really sodium and Water that you need. Just shake a little on your food. But I use chicken bouillon, MOM, and NoSalt per Drs. Westman and Phinney - low carb docs...

Edited December 5, 2017 by FluffyChix

[DropWt4Life 957]

I have never blacked out, but I do get dizzy whenever I go from sitting to standing and walk immediately. If I wait a second or two, I am fine. My doctor thinks that it is my equilibrium. My levels and bp are all fine. I never had this issue before surgery, but I'm not too worried about it.

[DropWt4Life 957]

I have never blacked out, but I do get dizzy whenever I go from sitting to standing and walk immediately. If I wait a second or two, I am fine. My doctor thinks that it is my equilibrium. My levels and bp are all fine. I never had this issue before surgery, but I'm not too worried about it.

[FluffyChix 17,410]

33 minutes ago, DropWt4Life said:

I have never blacked out, but I do get dizzy whenever I go from sitting to standing and walk immediately. If I wait a second or two, I am fine. My doctor thinks that it is my equilibrium. My levels and bp are all fine. I never had this issue before surgery, but I'm not too worried about it.

Dang boy! You're just a shadow of your former self. So close to goal and so quickly! Congrats and hat tip to you fine sir!

[DropWt4Life 957]

5 hours ago, FluffyChix said:

Dang boy! You're just a shadow of your former self. So close to goal and so quickly! Congrats and hat tip to you fine sir!

Well thank you, ma'am! My weight loss has slowed to a crawl. I have a lot of muscle, and think that I might be close to maintenance already. I am still dropping 1-2 pounds per week, so time will tell. I would like to reach my goal by the beginning of February as I will be 6 months post-op.

You're doing as well as I am, and you haven't even had surgery yet. You are going to kill it once that date is in the rear-view.

[FluffyChix 17,410]

1 hour ago, DropWt4Life said:

Well thank you, ma'am! My weight loss has slowed to a crawl. I have a lot of muscle, and think that I might be close to maintenance already. I am still dropping 1-2 pounds per week, so time will tell. I would like to reach my goal by the beginning of February as I will be 6 months post-op.

You're doing as well as I am, and you haven't even had surgery yet. You are going to kill it once that date is in the rear-view.

Well the progress you've made in 4months is astounding! I think you will def make the 6month goal or maybe even exceed it. Hey for grins have you plugged in your new weight into any macro calculator to see if you're eating the correct amounts? I know that is skewed for WLS peeps, but just a thought! I'm seeing the RD tomorrow and am gonna talk more with her about calories/macros post surgery to see if we truly are supposed to keep them as low as physically possible in the honeymoon 6 months.

Thank you. It's tough. Some days are easy, other days like today, I feel like I'm a Starvin' Marvin' and can't shove down enough Protein. I just would pray the surgery blunts some of my appetite. It's come back with a vengeance since I started going to PT! Every day is an interesting walk with compliance. As we all do, I just fear the regain so badly!!!!