Question:
Has anyone had any fainting spells or black outs after WLS?

I had open RNY on 1-19-00, to date my unofficial weight loss is about 45 lbs. Lately, I have been experiencing "black outs" and "fainting spells". My daily supplements include, two multivitamins, sub-ligual b-12, magnesium, biotin, st. johns wart, iron, and zinc. I am having a hard time getting my protein and h2o in. Could this be the reason? I feel dizzy when I get up too fast. It is scary especially since it happened at a store as I was trying on a pair of shoes and I had my daughter with me. Has anyone experienced the same thing? Thanks in advance.    — Lady C. (posted on April 3, 2000)

April 3, 2000
Obviously you need to call your surgeon. However, I did (and still do) get dizzy when I don't drink enough water. At the hospital, I got very dizzy and was told lack of water would cause it. After drinking more water, the sympton disappeared.
   — Carly K.

April 3, 2000
..Gosh, Lady that can be so many different things... From anemia, blood pressure, dehydration and others, better not guess on this...why not call your surgeon or PCP ASAP....
   — Victoria B.

April 3, 2000
Lady, I had my RNY on 1/19/00 also and yesterday during church, when we were told to stand, I nearly passed out. Today on the phone the same thing happened. I thought about posting a question here and thought maybe I should call my Dr. Now that you did the post for me I guess I will be making that call. And for the water...I am averaging about 5 of the recommended 8 glasses and I don't drink any other fluids so maybe that is my problem. Thanks Lady and good luck with finding the answer.
   — S S.

April 3, 2000
Lady, I have suffered from the dizziness before and after the RYN surgery. The problem with me is a lack of potassium. When I get the dizziness or shakes, I eat one jar of the bananas and I keep a supply of the baby food in my house because it is easier than worrying about fresh bananas going bad. They are good tasting and tolerable. I suggest you try this. Good luck.
   — Renee C.

April 3, 2000
When I had this problem, my PCP suggested I add a little salt (I've never been in the habit of using salt) to my food ... voila! no more dizziness! Our dramatically changed food intake, especially immediately post-op, is certainly less salt-ladden than before. At any rate, you may want to try adding a bit of salt (in moderation)and see if it helps. Jut my .02
   — Cynthia B.

April 4, 2000
I had the same problem. Are you on high blood pressure meds. That was my problem. They took me off of them and I have had no problem since. Good Luck.
   — Janice K.

April 4, 2000
First, how is your water intake daily? if you are having a hard time getting in your water, this may be the culprit. I would start with that first, if you are still having this problem after this checks out, then you should contact your Dr. as many have stated there could be many other underlying issues causing this problem. I do know that my dr. told me that the majority of people that experience dizziness and fainting usually aren't getting enough water in daily... and I for one found it very difficult at the begginning to get all that water in. I hope everything comes out ok :-)
   — Jamie T.

April 5, 2000
I think that it's unlikely that you are getting "too much" water 3 months post-op. It's more likely that you needed to eat, were having a low-sugar (hypOglycemia) spell, or could have thyroid (hormonal) issues easily tested with a blood panel. Not sure how relevant it is, but once again, the lack of nutritional preperation given by BTC to thier patients (phone calls "after the fact" are a shoddy band-aid)seems to come into play, here. I wish you luck, and would encourage you to see how many visits to a nutritionist are covered by your insurance each year (mine covers 20), and go and learn about how food works to keep you going. I did this before surgery for a few months and continue to go to my nutritionist, now that I am post-op. All the best!
   — [Anonymous]

June 26, 2000
I had this problem but nothing appeared wrong with me. I sat and laid around a lot until I got a blood pressure monitor for my Mom. It turned out I got very nervous when I went to the doctor, so my blood pressure seemed at least normal and sometimes even a tad high. When in fact, my blood pressure was very low. They took me off my blood pressure meds and I was fine.
   — Bonnie B.

June 26, 2000
I did not exhibit any fainting, however, I would become very lightheaded when getting up from sitting or lying position. I brought this up to my family doc and surgeon who thought my blood pressure was too low. I was 10 mos. post-op Open RNY and still taking my BP meds. I still have an occasional spell but no where near the severity of past spells. Just a possibility. Regards, Mark B
   — Mark B.

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