headache and dizziness - HELP!

I had my RNY on Tuesday, Aug. 31 and came home on Thursday. I felt pretty good that day, but yesterday and today (but to a slightly lesser extent) I have been DIZZY and have headaches! I also feel like I'm about to keel over and pass out half of the time. Is this just a question of "willpower" (as many in my family think I lack) or is something wrong? I've stopped all pain meds except for a 1/2 dose of adult liquid tylenol (I do think the pain meds contribute to this situation) and I'm TRYING to get all my liquids in. But I feel like I just can't get back with it... I just want to lie around all of the time. Any suggestions??

First of all, you're only 4 days post op -- it's not about willpower! Don't forget (and I needed to be reminded of this myself) that you had "major surgery". That's "major" -- your body is responding to the anestesia and the surgery itself as well as not getting hardly any nourishment right now -- all of these factor into how you you're feeling and how you will feel for these next 4-6 weeks. Three things come to mind that could be causing the dizziness and headaches. The first is your blood pressure -- get it checked immediately. A low blood pressure or a high one can cause these symptoms. Also, how much protein are you getting in? You should be trying to get in at least 40-50 grams of protein a day -- most new post ops get this with protein shakes or protein powder. If your protein consumption is lower than this it could be causing these syptoms also. Finally, you mentioned you're trying to get your fluids in -- my doctor said to shoot for 64 ounces a day and that was impossible for me as a new post op, so we compromised at 32 ounces a day for the first couple of weeks and even that was a struggle. He indicated anything lower than 32 would be dangerous. When my fluid consumption dropped below that once, I found myself dizzy and with a headache. I've gradually increased beyond 32 ounces as my new pouch can tolerate it. Also, it's perfectly normal to feel rather lifeless, only wanting to lay around -- it's only been 4 days since your surgery! You are recovering from "major surgery" -- you need to take it a little easier on yourself. I didn't start feeling like I had any energy at all until I was well into my second week post op. Take care!

Kim- Remember you had major surgery. You can expect to feel like lying around all of the time. If the headaches and dizziness continue I'd call your doctor. Willpower has nothing to do with it. You've been rebuilt on the inside of you. Keep trying to get the liquids in, that the most important thing. I was uncomfortable and took all my pain meds and did sleep alot during the first week. I'm almost 3 weeks out and still feel tender along my incision line. Hang in there, you'll feel better soon!! God bless you and your speedy recovery.

I just posted a similar post on the main board. I am SO GLAD I stopped over here. I too am having the dizziness issue. I upped my water intake today and it DEFINATELY helped but I am still dizzy. I am working on the protein. Thanks for all the information everyone! Melissa Lap-RNY 8/31/04 Home 9/2/04 and feeling pretty d@mn good!

Thanks for the replies. I looked over the literature from the Dietician working with my surgeon. She doesn't / they don't recommend or suggest protein until after the first week has gone by. I guess I'll have to wait until Tuesday and see if it helps.

I had my surgery on Tuesday also! I have a little problem with dizziness when I am not drinking enough of my juice. I cannot have protein drinks until after I see my surgeon this Friday (Aug 10) My paperwork says that until then I will be basically getting all of my calories from Fruit juice. It is to be diluted to half juice, half water because of sugar content. All i am living on right now is broth, juice and the occasional sugar free popsicle (rarely) Joy

I had my surgery 8/30 Lap RNY. Came home on Wednesday. In the hospital I had a terrific headache the first day and decided to get off the morf pump asap but did use it most of the 1st day and into the night. Then they started me on Tylenol3 with codeine so I quit using the pump at all. The headache decreased greatly.Keep drinking liquids!! Came home with the Tylenol3 and only use it if I really need it and my headache is pretty much gone. Never had any dizziness but tried to get online 1st day home and all the letters looked 3 dimensional so I just quit. As far as my diet: sf jello, sf popcicles , chicken broth occasionally but it seems too salty for me. Yesterday I tried cottage cheese and it was good. Today I tried refried beans and wow did they taste great and set well with me. I know some programs recommend protien shakes and bars but mine did not. Here's what I was told I could eat during 1-2 weeks post op: cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, yogurt w/10 grams or less of sugar, refried beans, tuna salad (tuna & lofat mayo), chicken salad (chicken & lofat mayo), egg salad (ditto), milk (fat free or 1% - limit 8oz per day), and potted meat. Hope this helps. Take care! Teresa