I ended up in the emergency room today after my lightheadedness and vision loss (vision going black) rapidly progressed after the past 3 weeks. It's a little fuzzy when I sit, but when I stand, I get very, very dizzy and my vision goes dark and I get some confusion. After a ton of tests (labs, ekg, chest xray, urine, orthostatic BP tilt test) ,and a consult with my bariatric surgeon, I was told I had orthostatic hypotension. The surgeon's office said that some people develop this after rapid weight loss and I can try adding salt to my food to raise my BP.

Does this get better? Has anyone experienced this? No one told me this was a possible effect of the surgery. I've already had an ulcer, hernia, and gallbladder removal and now this. It's pretty scary because I have to hold onto the wall and stuff sometimes when I walk, and I am afraid I may get dizzy while driving. I just had some heavily salted mashed cauliflower but still feel off.

I have had issues with this myself. I had pretty low blood pressure even before surgery, but it is really low now. Adding a bit of salt has helped, but I just have to be aware of when I stand up. Sometimes if I feel the dizziness come on, I will bend over for a second and that seems to resolve it. I have had it so badly a few times that all I saw was black and my legs began to give out. That hasn’t happened in a while, but it was still scary.

I'm glad I'm not alone. I thought it was something unrelated to the surgery at first.

I did go to yoga this morning and got lightheaded a few times, but fortunately it is "flowy" so my body has time to adjust so it isn't severe. And I just stop for a moment if it gets bad. I start with the trainer Monday so def something to discuss.

thank you though for everyone sharing that they experience this too. i feel better. i hope it improves for us soon!

just ordered some sodium chloride tablets.

I have this issue even pre-op at 245 pounds. I’ve dealt with it since I was 10. It’s an annoying thing my body does. I can’t say if it improves as your weight stabilizes, but I can tell you that most remedies have been useless for me. Increasing sodium, taking atenolol, wearing compression stockings, chugging Gatorade, it was for naught. I know now to just manage the symptoms as they come. I try to avoid triggers like doing anything too exerting first thing in the morning, exercising too intensely, standing stationary too long, especially in stuffy/hot environments. If I feel an “episode” coming on, I try to lie down if possible, and if not I sit down and try to ensure I won’t fall if I faint. Good luck!

Yeah my normal BP has always been in the low 100s over the low 70s. Now it's in the 80s over the 40s. My braaaiiinn.

Cripes that's low!

I had this problem too! It started 2-3 weeks out and has gotten much better now (I'm 2.5 months out). The nurse at my surgeon's clinic told me to drink broth once every day or two, and weirdly that has helped a lot. There's drinkable broth powder that you can buy here at the grocery store (I live in Amsterdam) and it actually tastes good and warming and gives me a bit of extra salt. If I were more on my game I would be making bone broth for myself. When I don't feel like drinking the broth or if I'm a bit hungry I drink V8 and sometimes spice it up to make a virgin bloody mary.

My doctor also advised me to be vigilant about taking my vitamins (I wasn't because the iron in my multi made me throw up and I've since switched to chewable multis without iron) and also to make sure I'm getting all of my water in, which I wasn't. She said I have to make sure I have enough water in me in the first place, and then have the right salts and minerals to make sure my body keeps it in. So I went from where you are--on the verge of passing out every time I stood up--to now rarely having problems and just being a bit more cautious with standing. Good luck, I'm sure that you'll find something that works for you.

Also, regarding regretting the surgery: the only way is forward. I know you're trying to come to terms with this huge change, but maybe consider whether regret is a helpful emotion right now. Things will get better--hang in there!

12 hours ago, ummyasmin said:

Cripes that's low!

I knowwww. I get so confused! I'll stand up and someone will be talking to me and it's like I barely comprehend what they are saying for about a minute until my blood comes back to my head. lol!

So, this resolved for a month and a half but has now returned with a vengeance! aaaaaaaa!!!! When I stand up, my vision just goes black and I have to just stand super still while everything.. flushes back to normal.

OMG Mousecat, some days you just can't win for trying!

Try tensing leg muscles before standing. The higher muscle mass the better it is for me. BP is low - 100/55 or so. Just has been that way for me even pre WLS. Try to be as focused on the good as possible as you wade through muck.

Unf. The last 2 weeks I have been losing my vision nearly every single time I stand up. I also get very confused for a moment, occasionally. It's affecting my ability to exercise at the intensity I am at (and otherwise ready for). I stand up from the sofa, slowly, to walk to the kitchen, lose my vision and stand totally still, then as it's coming back slowly edge my way towards the counter to hold on for a moment until the blood rushes back to where it's supposed to be. lol. I messaged my doctor about this and he's just like "hopefully it will eventually get better".

O__O OKAY

Edited June 21, 20197 yr by mousecat88

Your internal barometer has gone a little wookey and it is a MISERABLE THING! More deluberate, move sliw, right now you can't set any Land Speed Records!

Your internal barometer has gone a little wookey and it is a MISERABLE THING! More deluberate, move sliw, right now you can't set any Land Speed Records!

Tell me about it! I think I'm going to see my primary care about Midodrine. I have GOT to raise my BP! Salt doesn't help. It's really scary feeling so woozy and losing vision so often. My trainer is concerned because I'll be doing something and then get like this thousand yard stare and confusion for a moment and then I'm fine again.

You know MouseCat we live in the wrong Era. We could have swooned into the nearest man's arms and they would regard you as a tender flower to be gently nurtured. Yeah we couldn't stand it constantly , but once in awhile? Yeah Baby Yeah!