NSV and an exercise question

I'm four weeks post-op of my revision and up until a few days ago I've been having a rough time of it (nausea, extremely tired, really painful colon spasms, and did I mention, LOTS of nausea).  I have only left the house to 1) go to one of my many follow-up medical appointments, 2) go to the pharmacy, 3) quick trips to the grocery store for safe food.

My NSV is that I left the house for non-essential reasons TWICE yesterday!  I did an hour of yard work (the weeds got bad in a month), and then went out to dinner with my husband! I feel like I'm finally getting better and life is going back to normal. I realize this is an extra small NSV, but to me at the moment, it's a really big deal.

OK, now for the question.  I'd like to try going back to the gym tomorrow. My doctor says it should be ok, as long as I don't lift over 20 lbs.  My only concern is that prior to surgery, during the pre-op all liquid diet, I twice experienced what I *think* is a low blood sugar episode after doing my normal high-intensity cardio workout.  I got dizzy, I felt like my heart was racing even though my pulse was normal, and I was super weak. I seriously considered asking them to call an ambulance. Thinking it might be low blood sugar, I took a few bites of a quest bar I kept in my purse, and after maybe 15 minutes it resolved.  I assume it was because I was consuming so few calories and carbs (like post-op).

As I was out pulling weeds yesterday, I started to feel the weak/dizzy feelings a few times so I sat in the shade and sipped a protein shake until it went away.   

Can anyone verify if that sounds like low blood sugar to them?  Can anyone provide suggestions on how to avoid it if I go to the gym tomorrow?  I asked my NUT about it, and she just suggested "taking it easy" and maybe talking to my primary doc about getting a glucometer though I'm not diabetic. I will "take it easy," but even pulling weeds caused it so I'm thinking I need  to do more than just go slow. Should I sip protein while I exercise... instead of the usual plain/flavored water?  Any other suggestions? Do I need to time a meal for right before I leave for the gym? FWIW, protein bars are not on my current list of approved foods so I don't think I should use them as a "rescue" measure if it happens again.  I'm just allowed soft stuff at the moment (fish, cheese, mushy veggies, tofu). 

Thanks for any suggestions you can provide. 

Edit: PS - I have been doing 15-20 minutes at a time on a recumbent exercise bike at home and have not had the problem. But I want to go back to the gym for a little more intensity than the bike allows. 

It could be low blood sugar. Could be dehydration, or orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure). Get ahold of a meter, and you'll know for sure if it's blood sugar.

I'm pretty good about staying hydrated but hadn't even considered it could be low blood pressure.  Thanks for the suggestions!

Im 7 weeks out but ever since the day I came home I have been recording and monitoring both blood pressure and blood sugar. As far as the blood sugar is concerned....I am very low first thing in the morning but between lunch and dinner, I measure normal. I am like you but I think (for me) it happens around 2:00 in the afternoon. My blood pressure goes very low. I get dizzy. Take one saltine cracker. The salt will bring your blood pressure up a little. I never feel my heart racing. I tried a piece of protein bar to see if that would help and I will never do that again. I keep a bottle of Protein2O water with me and sip, sip sip. I seem to do fine. I still rest for 1/2 hr before supper. If you want to go to the gym, please low impact and not too much. Sip sip sip the whole time. Either Protein Shake of Protein water.  Whenever I go into the garden or take a walk, I am sipping, sipping, sipping. Get yourself a blood pressure cuff and record in the morning and in the afternoon and let the Dr. know your stats. Remember you are in rehab stage so watch out for the "intensity" at the gym.

I bought my husband one of those wrist cuffs to monitor his high blood pressure.  I think I'll go steal it out of his closet and monitor for a few days. Thanks!

At only four weeks out, I would think bending over the weeds puts a fair amount of stress on your abdomen.  In addition, the torque it takes to pull out weeds might be as physically demanding as lifting.  Could "taking it easy" means lighter things like walking and your recumbent bike a couple more weeks?  Blood sugar or blood pressure can both cause weakness/dizzy but at four weeks, it just might be your body's way of telling you to take it easy like your NUT suggested, too.  I'm four weeks out from obstruction/hernia surgery and I am walking, that's it.  

Hmm. I knew the weeding burned a lot of calories (per my apple watch) but I hadn't thought about how all the bending, twisting and pulling might be too much on my still-healing abdomen. I think I was just so excited to have the energy to do it that I didn't think too much about it. That's for the suggestion. Perhaps I should focus on extending the duration of my bike sessions first. 

That a gal...and hope the wrist cuff from hubby helps a little to know where you are blood pressure wise. I am jealous...I have no desire yet to go back to the gym....just aqua arobics right now.

Aqua aerobics and/or swimming laps is a great workout and no impact! At my weight 0 gravity is a beautiful thing even if it's only for a little while!

I am three weeks out from an abdominal surgery and also just walking.  Don't push yourself too hard.  You can do more harm than good.