Question:
Feeling dizzy and light headed whenever I stand up...

I was wondering if this dizziness is a common problem for post op patients. I had Lap RNY 2 and a half weeks ago and feel pretty good, except for the faintness, etc. Is this due to low blood sugar, or low blood pressure??? Any ideas for remedies, or how long this may last? Thanks for any help!!    — newleaseonlife (posted on February 7, 2009)

February 7, 2009
Actually, my guess is dehydration. I sometimes feel a little dizzy, accompanied by a headache, if I don't get in enough water in a day. Make sure you hit your goal with that, and see if the symptoms still exist. If they do, don't bother with us--call your doctor!
   — suezahn4me

February 7, 2009
I started feeling dizzy and a light headed about a month after RNY and decided to check my blood pressure before calling my doctor. It was low so my primary care doctor wanted me to make an appointment to check it out. Bottom line, my blood pressure meds were decreased. Good luck and be sure to work with your surgeon and primary care doctor through this process. They are very important in your success.
   — Trish47

February 7, 2009
I felt the same way for about 3-4 weeks after surgery dr says my body is going through alot of changes and i am eating alot less so my body needs to adjust i feel fine now and no longer get the light headed or dizzy feelings it will go away and you will feel fine good luck with everything and congrats
   — JOHN S.

February 7, 2009
I usee to experience that same condition for about 6 months after my surgery. It can be caused by EITHER low blood sugar OR low blood pressure, but may be more likely due to low blood pressure if it happens when you stand up. In any case, you probably want to check with your physician, and drink plenty of fluids. Carry water with you at all times and sip from it constantly. It may be the only way that you are going to be able to get enough fluid intake to keep your blood pressure normal.
   — hubarlow

February 7, 2009
OOOOOHHHHH Yea. Brings back memorys... I had the dizziness alot after VSG in Late nov 08... called doc and we lowered my BP meds it help for a week or two than happened again and we stopped my BP med all together. SSSOOOOO cool no more BP meds and no more dizziness. Keep going just make sure to tell the doc's if continues. BTW 10 weeks out 64 down. it works use the tool.
   — scubaok

February 8, 2009
At 2.5 weeks out I vote for dehydration, are you getting in st least 64 oz. fluid in each day? Hoot
   — Hoot

February 8, 2009
Okay...if you are having low blood sugar...You need to talk to see a doctor...IF you are having low blood pressure, that's your heart and you DEFINATELY need to see a doctor...So, call your surgeon's office and talk to them! When I felt that dizziness and "saw stars", I was malnourished and anemic, because of lack of oxygen to my brain and heart...Don't mess with the brain and/or heart! Damage can be irreversible. It might be something simple like dehydration, but why risk it?
   — .Anita R.

February 8, 2009
Hi. so I also get dizzy and light headed. My doctor told me to eat a pickel a day. The sodium intake now is so low that your body is asking for some, so give it some. But also if you were one blood pressure medicine and others then I would check with your dr. Good luck
   — bostonkid33

February 8, 2009
With myself and in my nursing career, I have seen this often. It sounds like you may be experiencing orthostatic hypotension. Big way of saying when you stand up- your blood pressure goes low, heart rate usually goes up and you feel light headed and/or dizzy until your body adjusts and blood flow goes back to your brain. Usually seen with dehydration or after weight loss when it is time to decrease your meds- most likely blood pressure meds. Best to call your doctor to be on the safe side and have it checked out. If you are on blood sugar meds- they might have to be lowered as well. Again, you need to see your doc asap to have it diagnosed and figure out your new doseages of meds or if you need to discontinue them altogether. Do not do this on your own. In the mean time- be sure to change positions slowly- when you are laying down- sit up and level off, then stand slowly and level off before walking. Check your own blood pressure and sugars and take the results to your doc- it will help. Drink, drink, drink. Best of luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

February 8, 2009
I agree with the other posters, get enough water. Eat enough. If you still feel dizzy; call the doctor or if you faint get to the ER with someone who knows about your surgery. Good Luck and God Bless, vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

February 8, 2009
I would consult the dr...but i did feel that way too. I was taking 2 diff meds for high bp and my pcp took me off one when I was felling light headed. After two weeks I was off both. Good luck to you and get checked out by your dr! After all this you don't want to do anything to jeopardize your health. Good luck and hugs, Kim
   — gpcmist

February 8, 2009
Like Dawn and VinJan, I too am an RN; I agree with the advice both of them gave you. I wanted to add that you need to make sure ALL your doctors, specialists, caregivers, etc. are aware of your gastric surgery, because it does effect so many medications and treatments. In my case, it took only three weeks for my blood pressure to start dropping enough that my dr. took me off one of my BP meds, and within two months I was off them all! Good luck and God bless.
   — MuseAcal

February 8, 2009
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question! It is wonderful to read all of your thoughts and experiences...this site is such a great resource and you have helped a lot. Thanks again! Good luck to you all!
   — newleaseonlife

February 8, 2009
Are you getting enough protein? Write down everything you are taking in and use it to check if you are meeting the needs of your body.
   — ntssmith

February 9, 2009
I am 7 weeks post-op and experienced the same thing at about 2-3 weeks. My doctor said it was a combination of low blood sugars and not getting in enough water. I was really having a hard time at that point getting all of my water in. I forced myself to do better at that and since I was eating "3 meals" a day, bumped it up to 3 meals and a snack and that really helped. I drink about 72 ounces of water everyday. Good luck, this too will pass!
   — brindledanes

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