Dehydration?

[briae13 46]

So every now and then I'll stand up from sitting, walk a few feet and then suddenly feel very light headed and have spots flash across my vision. Could this be a sign of dehydration? Trying to keep hydrated the best I can. I have a pcp visit & post op surgeon visit in the next couple of days and will definitely mention it then but wondering if anyone else experienced this.

[orionburn 1,023]

Yes, it can be a sign. It can also be due to a sudden drop in blood pressure going from sitting to standing. I didn't have any dehydration worries post-op but did suffer from some light headed spells from time to time (usually worse when in the shower). Are you keeping track of your fluids? If so what exactly are you getting in every day?

Definitely keep and eye on it and mention it to your doc. Take your time getting up and if possible have something to steady yourself against when you stand up.

[briae13 46]

I was tracking pretty regularly using the 1oz cups but now I just use a Water bottle. I'd say probably at least 20oz between water and Powerade. Might go back to the cups and try and keep a better eye on it.

[frust8 963]

Well Briae it could be orthostatic hypotension, that happens when your blood pools in your lower half and the blood doesn't get up to your brain and your body's complaining. Very common after major surgery, your body's been through a lot. But it also could be mildish dehydration, keep your fluids coming in , move slower and easier, you're not quite ready to run the New York Marathon. Give yourself time and permission to heal. Hugs to you.

Sent from my VS880PP using BariatricPal mobile app

[Sosewsue61 3,185]

Push more fluids, popsicles, hot tea, broth whatever it takes to get it increased. Hang in there.

[orionburn 1,023]

30 minutes ago, briae13 said:

I was tracking pretty regularly using the 1oz cups but now I just use a Water bottle. I'd say probably at least 20oz between Water and Powerade. Might go back to the cups and try and keep a better eye on it.

Only 20 oz between the two? If you're only getting 20-30 oz then yeah...you're pretty risky for getting dehydrated. Like Sosewsue said do everything you can for extra fluids - popsicles, broth...whatever. If you're really struggling with getting Protein in you may have to say to hell with that and focus on fluids. My doc would rather us not get all our protein in for a day or two if it was between that and getting dehydrated.

An easy way to track is to reuse one or two Powerade bottles. Get the 32 oz size and know that your goal is to drink 2 of those every day. I'd drink Powerade and then reuse those bottles and fill it up with Cyrstal Light. My goal was to have one of them finished by early afternoon and the other one by bedtime. Keep it with you at all times. If I woke up in the middle of the night I had it next to the bed and would take a sip or two since I was awake.

[briae13 46]

Yeah I've been throwing Protein to the wind and focusing on liquids to be honest. I've been keeping a water bottle and a Powerade bottle with me at all times consistently but I just can't seem to get enough between trying to fit meds and purées. Think I'm going to try going back to cups and track it better with those. Thanks everyone!