Worked out & felt completely lightheaded afterwards

So I'm 7 1/2 weeks post-op now & feeling great.  I've been working out off & on (doing mostly walking) with no problems.  I went to the gym this morning & worked out with a friend & we walked on the treadmill for about 40 min. (which isn't any longer & I didn't go any faster than I've done in the past).  Afterwards we spent about 30 minutes doing some strength machines which is new.  I worked my arms, stomach, & legs.  Then I came home & after a bit I jumped in the shower.  While I was in the shower I almost passed out.  I have no idea what came over me.  It scared me.  I started saying the alphabet out loud & sat down to try to keep myself "with it" since I'm home alone & I was scared I was gonna be one of those people that was gonna pass out in the shower & drown.    I ate breakfast before going to workout, I drank water with protein powder mixed in it while I was working out, and now I'm eating lunch after my shower.

Has this ever happened to anyone before?  Anyone have any ideas what could've caused it?  It just freaked me out.  I've never passed out before & especially being home alone I don't wanna collapse & hurt myself.  If I can figure out what may have caused it maybe I can do something to prevent it from happening next time I workout.  I'll take any & all suggestions!  Thanks!! 

Hiya Melissa!

I would hazard to guess that you had some low blood sugar.  Working out with the weights added just enough stress to put you over the edge.  There used to be an article onthis site on the front page about ezercise after WLS.  I think it addresses this issue.  Give it a look-see...

Congrats on working those weights and staying on the treadmill!  Very cool!

Kevin

I'll give a look for that article, thanks for the suggestion!

Been missing you at coffee meet-ups on Saturday mornings.  How are you doing since surgery?  How's your sister doing?  Hope you can make it to an upcoming coffee soon!! 

I have had this happen to me many times and I haven't even had surgery yet!  LOL...

What I have found is that I normally have a low blood pressure and if I work out too hard that when my body starts to slow back down that my blood pressure drops and so does my blood sugar.  One thing that I have found to help me out is to get some protien in right after the workout.  I normally will have a piece of cheese or beef jerky.  When I do this before my heart rate even really starts to drop much I find that I dont get so light headed.  I had talked to my doctor about it before and that was what she recomended and told me that if it keeps happening then I should go back to see her.  But since I started doing this, it hasn't been unbearable....

If it keeps up I would definatly talk to your dr!

Dharma

What did you eat for breakfast?

For breakfast I had some Kashi Heart to Heart cereal w/milk (but didn't drink the milk) and greek yogurt..  I literally had it about 30 min. before I started my workout.  I didn't even think about needing to eat something right after my workout.  I'll give that a try next time. 

Many of us had high BP pre-op.  Did you?  If so, especially if you're taking any meds for it, you could actually be going lower than your body is used to.  Check with your doc.

It has happened to me a couple of times, and it is a very scary feeling.  But sitting down, drinking something (Powerade helped me a great deal!), getting a bit of protein in before and after - this can all help.

The whole post-WLS period is a time of getting re-acquainted with your body.  Things are changing rapidly, be sure you pay attention, which it sounds like you are.

Too much too soon is part of the problem most likely, the other thing is low blood sugar.

I had to add snacks to my diet plan because I was so active.  My blood sugar dives and I am ready to pass out. 

I always have something with protein in it as soon as I leave the gym.  If I don't it's bad news.

It was nice to see you on Saturday.. Hope to see you again this week!

Stephanie