Question:
Headaches and dizzyness - could it be electrolyte imbalance?

I am 6 months post-op lap rny and have lost about 95 pounds. In the past week or so I have started having headaches everyday and frequent dizzy spells. I'm trying to get in to see my dr. tomorrow but am looking for insight from others who have expereinced this. I don't think it is dehydration, though there were a few days I got closer to 40 than 64 oz. water. Have any post-ops found their potassium or other electrolyte levels got out of whack and could that be a possibility here?    — Melissa F. (posted on October 2, 2002)

October 2, 2002
Hi, Are you taking B-12 shots? You've got to make sure you get enough B-12, and that you are getting enough protein in. Do you drink protein shakes? It's almost impossible to get enough protein from food. I try to get 120g proteins a day. You might try to increase your protein and see if you don't start feeling better. Good luck, and hang in there.
   — Amanda E.

October 2, 2002
I was having the same symptoms and so my dr did a gloclose tolerence test on me and foudn that I have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).. I wouldnt recommend doing the 3 hr fasting with the liquid they give you expecially if you are a dumper like me but they do other tests to find out if that is the cause of your dizzyness and headaches!
   — Deanna Wise

October 2, 2002
HI, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I THOUGHT I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO DRINKING WATER. THE DOCTER SAID I WAS JUST DIZZY AND HEADACHES BECAUSE OF WIEGHTLOSS SO QUICK, WELL ONE NIGHT I COULDNT TAKE IT ANY MORE AND WENT TO ER AND THEY GAVE ME FLUIDS AND RAN TESTS AND SAID MY TEST WERE OK AS FAR AS ELECTROLYTES AND SO ON, BUT WHEN I LEFT THE ER AFTER SOME IV FLUIDS I FELT GREAT AND THE DIZZY SPELLS LEFT AND HEADACHES SO GO FIGURE THE TESTS SAID ONE THING BUT I FELT ANOTHER. SO GO TO ER IF IT KEEPS IT UP AND SEE IF IT HELPS IT WOULNT HURT. GOOD LUCK ANGIE
   — ANGIE M.

October 4, 2002
The headaches and dizziness can also be do to a DROP in blood pressure. Mine dropped dramatically post-op.
   — LLinderman