Light headness

[Jumebe 1]

It's been 9 months and a few weeks out. I still get light headed when I stand up from sitting. Lasting just a few second to close to a min. I just hold still and hold on to something to just ground me. I drink as much as told to do, I eat the right things,and take my meds/vit and get enough sleep. I have to wear oxygen when I sleep do to my O2 drops to the mid to low 80s. And I wondering how long does this last. Or am I not doing something right.

[Jaelzion 1,129]

It's called "Orthostatic Hypotension". Your blood pressure drops when you stand up, making you feel dizzy and light-headed. It's really common in people who have lost a lot of weight quickly. For some people, this goes away in time. I still have it, but then I had it before surgery, so...

https://www.dssurgery.com/orthostatic-hypotensionintolerance/#:~:text=One of the possible side,a seated or reclined position.

One of the possible side effects of rapid weight loss after undergoing weight loss surgery is orthostatic hypotension or orthostatic intolerance. These terms describe a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing from a seated or reclined position.

Treatments may include increasing hydration, Protein intake, changing medications and treating anemia. Also, allowing time for the body to adjust to the rapid weight loss if all the underlying issues are within normal limits. If symptoms persist, after all underlying issues are investigated, the patient will need to be diligent with hydration, protein intake, supplements and other treatments. Things that may also help is to slow down in moving from one position to the other, take a moment to adjust to your new position. Compression stocking and increasing salt intake can also help if all other causes are investigated. Post prandial hypotension can be avoided with low carbohydrate and small meals. Also, moderately increasing salt intake can improve symptoms.

[Arabesque 7,623]

You’re not doing anything wrong. It’s quite a common experience after weight loss surgery. it’s just scary if you’ve never experienced it before.

Like @Jaelzion I still suffer from postural or orthostatic hypotension but I’ve always had a tendency towards low blood pressure & experienced this before. I always had more attacks when I was slimmer than when I was carrying weight but I do suffer from more episodes now - several times a day vs a couple of times a month (more in Spring & autumn).

Up until a couple of months ago, it happened every time I got up now it’s probably 3/4 of the time so it has improved. I too look for something I can touch (wall, chair, another person) to ‘ground’ myself for those couple of seconds. Sometimes I bend over especially if there’s more severe vision loss & dizziness just to get the blood back to my head.

My GP put me on some meds but they did nothing. I added extra salt, waited before standing, wriggled my feet & toes before standing but nothing helped. I look at it as something that’s just me now especially as it was a pre existing condition just amplified.

[PolkSDA 116]

I experience this consistently as well, even now at 9 months out from surgery. Luckily only when standing up from having been bent down/over for any period of time. I don't experience it when just standing up from being seated or lying down. The first time I experienced it I was out shopping. I had bent down to read Blu-Ray titles on a floor-level shelf, and when I stood up, the room spun. I had to hang onto the shelf for dear life for about 30 seconds to get my legs under me. Scared the sh*t out of me.

The severity of the effect has diminished slightly over time, but I still need to be very aware of this when I bend over for something and try to make sure that there's something to hold on to or lean on once I stand up.

[Arabesque 7,623]

Forgot to say it also sometimes happens to me if I reach up to get something from a high shelf like at the supermarket or in my kitchen. Itv can be more disorientating cause being short I’m often on my toes trying to reach the item & I can lose my balance too.

[Mike Long 52]

I experienced this as well. I’m 4 weeks post op tomorrow. I was on blood pressure meds before (still am) and never felt light headed in my life until after the surgery. The solution was simple, I cut one of my meds in half. Since I did that a few days ago, I’ve only felt the sensation once or so. I spoke with my PCP & surgeon and they both agreed it was best. Not sure if you’re on BP meds but maybe talk to your dr’s about it if you are.