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I was wondering when you had surgery and what type. There could be several causes. Here is an internet link. http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/bleeding-digestive-tract?page=2 So whatever the condition it needs to be examined and identified by a doctor. The fact that you had chest pains is also disturbing. The dizziness sounds like you are experiencing low blood sugar. If you were on diabetes medicine or insulin prior to surgery, it may be time to adjust down your dosage or complete eliminate the medicine. Many individuals who had gastric bypass also experience reactive hypoglycemia. But this condition normal first occurs in patients that are over 1 year post-op. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass

As I understand it (purely from reading research studies, not from personal experience), reactive hypoglycemia is a post-WLS condition more likely to occur in RnY patients than sleeved patients, although it's not unheard of among sleevers. Sorry you guys are having to deal with this. Best to you.

Does this happen to you? I had my RNY in March of 2014 and some days the struggle to keep my blood sugar steady is a challenge. Sometimes it is because I eat too many carbs in a meal, but sometimes I can have a balanced Breakfast and I still get shaky after an hour or two. I'm getting much better about managing it. Here is the thing I can not figure out. I have a diagnosis of ADD. I take Adderall (which is a stimulant) but the side effects in combination with my dietary needs can be hard to manage so I do take days off. But the strangest side effect of all is that when I'm on it my blood sugar stays very steady. Initially I thought it was because I'm eating a lot less but I can eat the same thing for breakfast and my blood sugar will drop a few hours later if I haven't taken the Adderall. My other other hypothesis is that I'm much more active on weekend mornings than I am on work day mornings so maybe that's causing my blood sugar to drop faster. I really have no idea but I'm thankful for the unexpected side effect. So anyone else struggling with this? It's a pain, like when I blacked it at the gym or almost passed out getting tattooed, but I am slowly learning to manage it.

It could be a Vitamin issue. For example B12. If your taking it using a time release tablet instead of a subliminal tablet or if you are taking the wrong type of B12 (it should be methylcobalamin). But I don't think that is the problem in your case. The clue is in the symptoms that you described. Low blood pressure reading, tired, lightheaded, fainting. Some patients after weight loss surgery develop a condition called "reactive hypoglycemia". Here is a link. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778 and another link http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/060415p48tip.shtml If this is the cause, you want to become aware of the problem and the simple steps that need to be taken before it progresses to passing out.

Me, too. Getting a potential breast cancer diagnosis and considering preventative double-mastectomy has made me say "eff it" and make bad food choices. I've been eating like a hog, with little discretion. This is a set-back, I know, and temporary. That said, I've gained 5 pounds. Sucks, but I know EXACTLY where I went wrong, and it's all reactive to the cancer scare. Will be getting biopsies tomorrow and will be eating according to the results.....! LOL! xxoo

Some individuals who undergo RNY gastric bypass surgery experience Reactive Hypoglycemia. It is caused by low blood sugar a few hours after a meal. Here is a link that describes the condition. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/reactive-hypoglycemia/faq-20057778 This condition can cause you to faint or lose your balance. Signs and symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia may include hunger, weakness, shakiness, sleepiness, sweating, lightheadedness, anxiety and confusion. Generally those that experience this condition can manage it without much difficulty because they can detect the signs and take something (such as a small glass of fruit juice) to stop it. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass It might be rather then the stress causing the fainting; is that the low blood sugar is causing the fainting and amplifying the stress. I have no idea about the stomach pains. Maybe it is an ulcer.

I had Type 2 diabetes prior to surgery and was on two types of medication for it. But after RNY gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago it went into remission and stayed there. But Type 1 diabetes is a different beast. I know that some individuals that undergo surgery develop a type of low blood sugar called "reactive hypoglycemia". I am no doctor but it seems that the same approach that these individuals follow with this condition may be applicable to your condition. Here is one link but if you get on the computer, I believe you can find more. http://pamtremble.blogspot.com/2010/10/reactive-hypoglycemia-after-bariatric.html So your nutritionist/surgeon staff are probably the best to answer this. It is definitely a discussion point.

@@Inner Surfer Girl Great article. Many factors on diabetics and surgery that are still in the research phase. The surgery does amazing things with diabetics. People off medication. Getting their health back. This is what I have experienced as a type 1 Diabetic...In perspective of complications with surgery, This is not a big thing to manage. (only two concerns driving and sleeping) I had no pancreas function before surgery. After surgery at 6 months out. My pancreas started working by releasing large amounts of insulin. The Insulin release drops your blood sugar. (reactive hypoglycemia) Normal range of blood sugar is 120 - 70. The low blood sugar can happen at any time..No pattern to them. I'm not sure how to explain this so bare with me...Here is how I manage what is going on. 6:35pm Test..BS 70..I don't want it to go lower. I eat a meal. 6:40pm test BS 66 - Drink orange juice 6:50pm test BS 105..I'm Normal 7:41pm I'm shaky dizzy..test BS 62 orange juice and a Protein & vegetable snack 8:12pm test BS 168..I feel safe enough to sleep. My lowest was 24 in the middle of the night. So with that..If I have sugar in large amounts..I will still have high blood sugar and use Insulin. I hardly use my insulin because I eat healthy and exercise. I am a well controlled type 1.

I am no doctor so take anything I say with a grain of salt. Lightheadedness can be a sign of low blood sugar. Some patients develop a type of hypoglycemia called "reactive hypoglycemia". Here is one link to the condition but if you search the internet you might find more. https://www.ridgeviewmedical.org/services/bariatric-weight-loss/enewsletter-articles/reactive-hypoglycemia-postgastric-bypass After surgery, the three most important elements are meeting your daily Vitamin, Fluid and Protein goals. So make sure this is not a problem. Also I never eat near bedtime. My body digest food differently when I am in a horizontal state than when I am in a vertical state. Also prescription drugs and even some over the counter medicine can have some adverse side effects.

@@Wayward Traveler Hey! Thanks for the reply, I have ventured to the gym twice. The first day was just 40 minutes on the treadmill, I found medium incline and a moderate walking pace was my best bet. I definitely feel like running is a little far off, I get the feeling that the jarring motion would make the balloon... uncomfortable? I can't say I feel it specifically in my stomach, but I'm aware of the weight of it and it can move a bit. For instance, if I'm in bed and I roll onto my right side to turn off a lamp or grab my phone I can feel the balloon sort of bear down on the remainder of my stomach. It's not painful by any means, but certainly peculiar and unpleasant. I think if I were to run any great distance/duration I might get the same sensation in an up/down kind of way (I'm trying to avoid saying the balloon would 'bounce' because I feel it's pretty secure in situ, but it would definitely maybe push as I move up and down). So running, short term, maybe for a warm up or something I think would be fine, but not as a complete form of exercise. At least not for me after only one week. Today I tried my hand at the cross trainer, basically fine, though I did get a little... er, fullness (?) around the diaphragm (not heartburn, but like something was sitting low in my chest?) when I started to get a bit too high intensity, I think it was the twisting through the torso that caused that. I calmed it down by shifting my hands from the long moving grips to the short, stationary ones for a minutes or so, so that I twisted a little less. So, anyway, I was pretty happy with the outcome. Now, Krav Maga! Oh my goodness I love it! I started it last year and I have zero regrets. Not only is it a great workout, but its a useful skill to have under your belt. The practice I go to is for people 18 and above and it's pretty serious about what it does, but that works for me because no one is there to waste time. For my first class I rocked up feeling like I'd be this loser 30 YO woman, far too overweight and surrounded by hotheaded dudebros tripping on testosterone. I persevered only because I had watched a doco years ago about Krav Maga and had promised myself I'd investigate when I moved to an area that had a class. Anyway, so I was expecting some sort of quasi UFC thing: not at all what happened. People there came from so many different backgrounds and fitness levels. Young women, older women, fit guys, unfit guys... you get the point, all different and all there just to learn. The class is essentially at whatever difficultly level you require, if you're a beginner there's a grade for that and other students to work with, I progress when I am ready. Some people pick it up quickly and some don't and that's fine. You stay at your level until you are confident to move on. It also isn't really a 'martial art' as much as it is a system of self protection. You won't see people competing for belts (or at all, though there is a grading system) because in Krav Maga the best fight is the one you see coming and can avoid altogether (or with a swift knee to the groin). The warm up is typical of any fitness class, jogging in a circle, a few push ups (on your knees if you need to), sit ups, stretches. Then usually it's about learning new techniques then consolidating them with a partner and protective pads. The part that I found most challenging when I began (and still struggle with) is the confrontational nature of it. I'm not sure why (because it seems obvious in hindsight) but I was shocked in my first class to realise actual people would be attacking me (in a controlled and force-appropriate way, no one was trying to beat me or anything). I think the first thing we drilled what getting out of a front-on chokehold so there I was with a stranger trying to choke me. I learned very quickly that I freeze and panic in aggressive situations, but now that months have passed and I'm slowly teaching myself to have more reactive and useful responses to stress (not just in terms of physical violence, but in very useful situations like unexpected traffic panics, dropping things etc). So the thing that I hated about the class at first is actually the cause for one of the things I love about the class: I haven't just gotten fitter, I've become more situationally aware and better at handling pressure. As for backs and knees, my class is about working with what you've got, so if you're older or have injuries you learn to compensate and work with what you can do. Plus I'm sure you'd be able to opt out of any drills that cause pain. I'm sure all classes and teachers vary a bit. My class is affiliated with Krav Maga Global, and I know they are everywhere but it can't hurt to get in touch with the people near you and see if you can get in on an info session or beginners class. In my experience if you actually like what you're doing it won't feel so much like having to work out. For me, Krav Maga gives me those few nights a week that I can look forward to and work on myself, that fact that there's an element of fitness is just a bonus. I am so vey keen to get back to class and I'm aiming for the first week of June. @@flamingfeather_fly The balloon is a Fluid filled orb placed in the stomach to inhibit appetite and limit space. I have an Orbera but if you'd like to know more I'd suggest looking at Google.

Being exhausted can be a sign of low blood sugar. I was diabetic prior to surgery. If I had not come off all my diabetic meds after surgery, these meds could have forced my blood sugar to go towards the low side. For the first month after surgery, your body is in a major heal mode. That might cause the exhaustion. Some meds may cause these symptoms. There is also a condition called reactive hypoglycemia that some people who underwent WLS encounter. But at 2 weeks, I think this is too soon for that condition.

@@bellabloom - I am so sorry you are dealing with this and my response is a bit off topic, but I wanted to mention something. Have you ever been tested for autoimmune diseases? The reason I ask is that many of your symptoms sound like what I had when they discovered I had Graves disease (and likely Hashimotos but long story on that). Graves is when your immune system attacks your thyroid and you become Hyperthyroid (not hypo which is what you hear most people have). it was discovered when I was 44 and still at 320 pounds. The thing is, I had massive hot flashes, sweating, sudden weight loss, tremors, heart palpitations, etc. With Hashimotos, your thyroid will swing wildly back and forth between hyper and hypo and some of your symptoms sound hypo (hair loss, cold, low heart rate). (I too swung back and forth which is why I think mine was also Hashimotos but they had already destroyed my thyroid before testing for Hashis.) Anyway, all to say, is it at all possible there is something else going on in your body? A good rheumatologist can run a lot of tests but if it is thyroid related, they will refer you to endocrinologist. Might be worth checking out.... Best wishes on your recovery.

It seems that several individuals that underwent RNY gastric bypass surgery have experienced sleepiness after eating a meal. A search on the internet seems to give a variety of reasons rather than just one. My only advise is to make sure that you are following the guidelines for daily Vitamin, Protein and Fluid requirements. This is extremely important. Next, some people experience "reactive hypoglycemia" after surgery. After consuming a meal, your blood sugars can drop suddenly. Patients may experience any of these symptoms one to three hours after a meal high in carbohydrates: hunger, feeling shaky, dizziness, sleepiness, sweating, anxiety, feeling weak, confusion, heart palpitations, fatigue, aggression, tremors, fainting, or loss of consciousness.

@@Killian I am 8 weeks post op, and I am steadily losing weight. Lost 12kg (26.4 Ibs) so far. When is your surgery, and what type of surgery are you having? Sleeve or Bypass? I am finding that the more weight I lose, my Thyroxine (Synthroid) levels get too high, and I am swinging back to Hyper thyroid again .... I am glad to learn that you also skip Sunday dose. I will start this Sunday, and see what happens. I had RAI in August last year (2015), and went Hypo in December last year, 2015 On Thyroxine since January 2016, so this is a new learning curve for me. I have to have 6 weekly blood tests post surgery, seeing my Endo every 3 months, unless I get issues ..... I take my Thyroxine early in the morning, when I first wake up, on empty stomach, then go back to sleep. This way I can have my coffee and Breakfast when I get up. Calcium, I take it in the evening. With weight loss, the Synthroid levels can be affected, and doses need to be monitored and adjusted, if needed. Good luck with your surgery Cheers, Margo

@@Killian - that's a pretty high dose. Have you ever tried taking it in the morning on empty stomach? Might be able to have a lower dose that way as I think food and other meds affect it. Having said that, as long as you are consistent, that is the key. I am same as you (graves, RAI in 2012, hypo by 6 weeks post-Rai). Good news is it hasn't hindered my weight loss at all. I am down about 115 pounds since surgery (11 months). I have had to increase my med as it doesn't absorb as easily post-op (at least with bypass). Good luck to you!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Someone posted something similar happening to him earlier this week. Search reactive hypoglycemia and you will find it. He ended up fainting twice and was in the ER. Here it is. http://BariatricPal.com/index.php?/topic/366629-Reactive-Hypoglycemia?

@ Grave's disease here too. Had my thyroid destroyed by RAI (radioactive iodine) swallow when I was in the Navy Sometime in 1999. Been Hypo and on Synthroid since 1999. I am Pre-op and hope my thyroid does not hinder my weight loss progress. Time will tell. Currently on 300 Mcg tablet once a day and skipping Sundays. I never knew about taking it with Calcium..will have to watch for that. I take it everynight at bed time and my levels have been steady ever since. I see an Endo once every 6 months, I find the Endo knows a bit more about Graves then my PCP.

@proud3bme Thank you for your response. My surgeon said it's not uncommon for WLS patients to have "reactive hypoglycemia" from eating carbs. He said to avoid carbs. BUT...that's the thing, I haven't been eating them. Yesterday I had 9 g of carbs and that would be typical for me at this point due to the restricted diet they have me on. So he's not right...it's not reactive hypoglycemia (I researched it)...he was no help. I think I'm going to add in a few more complex carbs each time I eat from nutrient dense foods like sweet potatoes. Maybe that will help. I drank 1/2 of a Protein shake before bed and it didn't help at all.

I don't have diabetes. I was sleeved on 4/4 and have lost 34 lbs (HW was 277). The last few days I've woken up shaky. I decided to test my blood sugars - this morn it was 58 - anything below 70 is considered hypoglycemic. My surgeon said its not unlikely for WLS to develop reactive hypoglycemia - but that is caused from eating carbs. I'm just now 5-6 days into my pureed food diet and I haven't been eating carbs. Yesterday I had 9g of carbs that came from my Protein shakes - ones that are approved by them. I also had 510 calories and like 68 g of protein. What is going on? Anyone else deal with this? It sucks, it's scary and it makes me feel like crap! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hi Jen: Are you seeing a Rheumatologist? If not you might want to consult one to help with a diagnosis. I went to doctors or 14 years, most of them told me that my symptoms were all in my head. It wasn't till I sat down one day and wrote down everything I though was a symptom and when I was done I had 2 sides of a piece of paper. I went and saw a new Rhematologist and gave him the paper with the symptoms, he spent an hour and a half with me going over everything and then sent me for a million x-rays and tons of blood work and some other tests. He had told me he thought I had reactive arthritis. I went home and looked it up and thought hum, that doesn't sound too bad. When he got my results he told me I have Ankylosing Spondylitis! I said what the HELL is that I can't even pronounce that. It is also a form of arthritis and is an autoimmune disease with no known cure. I also have a secondary diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis , along with Fibromyalgia. He is constantly testing me though for Lupus, that's what they thought I might have in the beginning, but it is hard to diagnos. Don't give up on a diagnosis, only you know your body and you need to keep pressing the doctors for a diagnosis, not just arthritis of unknown origin. I am pre-op right now, but will be getting sleeved in July. My doctors say it should help with some of the issues I have. Also when you have one autoimmune disease, it is possible to have more than one of them. I hope you get a clear diagnosis in the near future it will help put your mind at ease when you have a name to what is causing you so much troiuble. Sorry for the long post....Jill

@@Daisee68 Yes, I kept my beta blocker for "just in case". I have both propranolol and atenolol, and I am glad that I kept both. This disease can make life so much harder, especially when trying to get back on track with all the responsibilities, and social interactions. I have been on 100mcg of Thyroxine since January this year. 4 months after my RAI and thyroid destroyed, I swung to TSH 17.4 Now, back to square one .... My Endo doesn't want me to cut my pills (ironically I got another refill for more 100mcg script, recently, and still have 1/2 box of the currrent 100mcg .....) She just wants me to take my med for 6 days, then not take it on 1 day per week. So, I am to take it Monday-Saturday, then not take it on Sunday My blood tests are due in 6 weeks time, then again 6 weeks later. Yes, I have to monitor it carefully. If in 2-3 weeks I don't see a change, I may have to cut the tablet, and try it that way. I don't want to go hypo, but hyper is tough too ..... Thank you for your support.

@ - I am so sorry to hear this! I know how miserable that is. Glad you have a beta blocker on hand. If it helps, even when I only adjusted by 1/4 of a pill per week (ie only 37.5mcg pet week, I felt better pretty quick - within a couple of weeks). Are you scheduled tiniest again in 6 or 8 weeks? 100mcg per week is a pretty. If adjustment and I don't want it to make you hypo and not catch it. Keep an eye on your symptoms and try to wait out the 8 weeks before retesting. Again so sorry you are miserable. It will stabilize eventually! Hugs!! Sent from my HTC One M9 using the BariatricPal App

Thanks Jamie, I thought it was a lot. I wonder if I should reduce the carbs a bit. I thought it might be to prevent hypos..which I have had anyway Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Can i please ask for some advice, I am an insulin dependant diabetic and the pre op diet they have me on includes some carbs...a weetabix for Breakfast, 2 crisp breads at lunch and 3 tablespoons of rice at dinner...along side that I am having a small amount of lean meat, salad, and some vegetables. My surgery is next Tuesday.. Will this still shrink my liver enough? I am following what the hospital gave me. Many thanks X (I am still experiencing the had aches, irritability, feeling lethargic, and have had a hypo) Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hiya all, I'm new to here and just was wanting to make contact. I am insulin dependant diabetic with sever insulin resistance, I am 1 week away from rny surgery and on day 3 of the pre surgical prep. From what I have seen I don't really have much to moan about, as I am still able to eat actual food, but wondered..did anyone else have extreme cravings, headaches, insomnia, low mood, and agitation when doing the prep? Also did anyone feel just generally really unwell? It's only day 3 but it's kicking the hell out of me. I am able to have the following each day (which I know is more than most), but am worried that I am maybe eating a bit too much to shrink my liver, or that I am just getting it all wrong. The hospital have me the following diet: Breakfast - 1 weetabix Lunch- small portion of lean meat or fish, salad (no dressing), 2 crisp breads or a slice of bread Dinner- small portion of lean meat or fish, 3 small potatoes or 3 spoons of rice, vegetables 1/2 pint of skimmed milk per day (to be used in tea or coffee and my breakfast) A sugar free & fat free yoghurt No sauces no alcohol no fizzy drinks I had a hypo today I am currently 106kg, I weighed 122kg at the start of my journey 2 years ago. I have gone from a 44 inch trouser to a 34/36 inch. Am having the surgery for diabetes reasons not so much for weight loss. Thank you in advance for any replies xx Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App