Light headed EVERY time I stand up,
It's been getting worse since I had my surgery 3 weeks ago. I've lost 22 pounds since my pre-op appointment (about a month).
These past few days, I can't go from reaching over to pick up something to standing back up without getting light headed, feeling dizzy, and sometimes needing to hang on to something because I feel like I will pass out.
I've always had low blood pressure and this used to be an occasional issue way back when I was normal weight in my 20's and 30's.
Does anyone else have this? Is it temporary?
Thanks
Your heart is a pump and had to work harder when you weighed more. Now when you are sitting or lying down the blood will pool in your legs.
Before standing up or bending over pump your legs a few times to get the blood moving towards your head.
This is scary, but temporary.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
As emelar said, it's orthostatic hypotension, also called positional hypotension. It's very common. Mine lasted several months.
It's easy to see if it's this or something else. They test you by taking your BP lying down, then right after sitting up, then right after standing.
If you are on any BP meds at all, look into getting off them. Ask your doctor.
You need to drink more. No matter how many ounces you are getting, double it. Get more electrolytes. Powerade Zero is good for that. Get more salt in your diet. And make sure you stand very slowly.
6'3" tall, male.
Highest weight was 475. RNY on 08/21/12. Current weight: 198.
M1 -24; M2 -21; M3 -19; M4 -21; M5 -13; M6 -21; M7 -10; M8 -16; M9 -10; M10 -8; M11 -6; M12 -5.
on 8/29/16 5:19 pm
It's common and can occur at different points in your weight loss journey. I had it pretty bad from 8 to 12 months out, and more recently at about 20 months.
You should:
- Sit up, stand slowly and give your body a chance to adjust.
- Drink more fluids
- Increase salt
- Monitor blood pressure
I would worry about it, just take some basic precautions and see your cardiologists if it becomes severe (highly unlikely).