Weak and lightheaded

[LindsayT 593]

It's happened several times in the last week, I get extremely weak and lightheaded- like I'm going to pass out. The first time was walking up the stairs and then it happened again today in the shower. I've been walking, so it's not every time I am active. I'm thinking of either blood pressure or lack of fluids. Is this normal? Should I talk to my team? I'm almost a week out from rny

[CrazyMama907 1]

I am 2 weeks post op. I would suggest calling your team. I had major blood pressure complications the first week, thankfully all ok now.

[learn2cook 574]

Yeah, talk to your team. In the meantime, try to get all your fluids in, and Protein Shakes count as liquids for you right now. Best of luck!

[catwoman7 11,209]

that's often due to low blood pressure or low blood sugar - but I suppose dehydration could do it, too. Usually when it's low pressure, though, you feel it more when you've been lying down or sitting and you suddenly stand up (and that particular scenario is not that uncommon the first few weeks after surgery). But I agree with the others - might be good to run it by your team.

[Arabesque 7,192]

It’s pretty common but usually temporary. As @catwoman7 said it’s usually related to getting up from lying down or sitting - postural hypotension. Your blood rushes to your feet thanks to gravity & it takes a little time to be pumped up to your head again. Hence the light head mess, dizziness, loss of vision or fainting. I always had a predisposition to low blood pressure (hereditary) & now I have it all the time. I can experience it tipping my head back, reaching up to get something off a shelf & with a hot shower/bath as well as getting up.

Definitely talk to your team. If you are on BP meds they may need to be adjusted. Keep your fluids up. Add extra salt to your diet. Get up slowly & stand before moving. I find bending over at my waist so my head is level or just below my heart helps it pass more quickly. And as I feel it coming on I reach for a wall, table, chair, person, etc. to ground myself until it passes.

[Lisa XO 117]

I was (and still am occasionally) lightheaded, dizzy, and weak. It started a week or two post op and was pretty consistent for a few weeks. It gradually got better as I was able to eat and drink more. Now it is pretty rare. I had an episode yesterday and before that, it had been weeks. I would still give your team a call, if it concerns you.

[Kvibes73 0]

This has been the biggest issue for me since surgery on 4/17/23. I get very dizzy and light headed I brought it up to my post op appointment basically was told it’s not normal and to follow up with my pcp (wow thanks) basically through out ideas of middle ear issue, low blood sugar, coming off certain meds. It’s slowly getting better but it happens to me almost daily and it’s the worst feeling ever