HELP! - OptiFast 800 - Leg Cramps

I'm in my pre-op phase and my surgeon has me on a 2-week liquid diet.  Not fun but ya do whatcha have to do.  My question is has anyone experienced leg cramping while on this type of diet?  I have 5 of the shakes per day and all the non-calorie fluids I want.  For me that's Crystal Lite and water and I'm drinking copious amounts of both to help stave off the sense of starvation so I know I'm well hydrated.  Just unsure about the charley horses.  I was awakened by one in my sleep night before last and then last night, it happened twice.  Once in my left calf muscle and the 2nd time in my right ankle.  Ouch!  I'm beginning to wonder if I'm experiencing a potassium deficiency after only 4 days.  Is that even possible?  Thanks to all who may have some insight. 

I would probably ask my doctor if it's ok to throw a banana into the blender with the shake. I know I was allowed to do that immediatly after surgery.

Thanks for the tip but I already know the answer.  My surgeon is one of those 'strict' types.  Absolutely nothing beside my OptiFast shakes except for non-caloric fluids.  I will give him a call though & alert them to what's going on. 

I had leg cramps too the first couple of weeks after surgery. I just figured it was due to the lack of water and nutrients. They went away and haven't had any since. When I felt a leg cramp coming, I would immediately flex my foot, bringing my toes up toward my chest. It made it go away everytime.

Yep, that's definitely the reaction to a leg cramp.  Mine have woke me up out of dead sleep.

I'm still pre-op and trying to determine if my cramps are stemming from the OptiFast shakes as I haven't any type of leg cramp since I was last pregnant 16 yrs ago.  I haven't changed anything in my routine except this liquid diet which is to shrink my liver prior to surgery.  I just hope it doesn't intensify or become more frequent. 

Yes, it's possible.  I'm in the pre-op phase, too, and I've been extra careful about getting in all my vitamins and minerals, in addition to being very compliant on the Dr.'s diet - and particularly so after I had a calf cramp or two!  By the way - 5/18/09 - me, too!

A surgery buddy -- Hi!  Exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time, huh?

Thanks for sharing your pre-op diet experience.  I am just curious to see if anyone else had been on the same program as me and gotten leg cramps in such a short period of time.  I've only been on them for 4 days.  I wouldn't think I would be deficient in anything at this point as I've always taken a multi vitamin and eaten healthy (albeit too much).  I guess it was the timing and onset of the cramps that is making me think it's the OptiFast even though they're supposedly a medical grade food containing all the nutrients you need (for short term).  I dunno.  Not overly worried, just aggravated by the jerked awake in pain episodes along with the existing stress incontinence that is being exacerbated by the all liquid intake.  Oh well, this too shall pass I suppose.  Not the end of the world by any means.  Thanks again and good luck and blessings to you on your surgery.

try drinking Smar****er.  It has electrolites and NO sugar.  Tastes like or better than bottled water.  It helped when I was having leg cramps a lot when I first got put on medications for my diabetes and I haven't had problems since I started drinking it.

the other thing (and this I got from FYI years ago) when the cramp starts pinch your bottom lip.  One finger inside and the other outside as low as you can and keep applying pressure.  Don't know why but it does work.