HELP low Potassium

TaraB3660
on 7/22/15 4:38 pm

Help! Scheduled for surgery next Wed. Bariatric clinic called my potassium is low again. Dr. Glazer wants me to get it rechecked tomorrow. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Did some research and apparently low potassium is nothing to snuff at. It effects anesthetic and your heart. Of course I want to be safe but dang two years and three weeks of Optifast might be squashed! Anyone have any information on this?

    
Robyn R.
on 7/22/15 6:12 pm - Bowmanville, Canada

Professionally I can tell you low potassium is easier to deal with than high potassium. Are you currently on optifast?  Are you on any diuretics?

Referral Summer 2012, Orientation June 10/13 HRRH, Dr Hagen July 3/13, Dr Glazer, RN/RD/SW September 19/13, Dr Hagen October 10/13, Surgery January 21/14

   http://images.obesityhelp.com/uploads/profile/370613/tickers/robynrne2b9ddd6b097c6ab0185ec57651b7f22.png?1392080601

HW 290  Opti Start Weight 280.9  Surgery Weight 264.8 CW 207

    

    
TaraB3660
on 7/22/15 8:02 pm

Hello there and thank-you. Yes I am on Optifast and take no diuretics.

    
Robyn R.
on 7/23/15 5:48 am - Bowmanville, Canada

How low are you?  Did they give you a value?  Personally I would not take anything until Dr Glazer tells you too.  They may just give you a different IV fluid or give you a dose IV. Hardto tell without knowing your value

Referral Summer 2012, Orientation June 10/13 HRRH, Dr Hagen July 3/13, Dr Glazer, RN/RD/SW September 19/13, Dr Hagen October 10/13, Surgery January 21/14

   http://images.obesityhelp.com/uploads/profile/370613/tickers/robynrne2b9ddd6b097c6ab0185ec57651b7f22.png?1392080601

HW 290  Opti Start Weight 280.9  Surgery Weight 264.8 CW 207

    

    
juleeg
on 7/22/15 11:39 pm - Canada

Hi, I have had low potassium since surgery, I have had to take potassium pills and syrup(horrible tasting stuff) but one day if taking it and my levels were normal, mind you this is post op. But you could buy the pills and get it up before surgery.

 

 Referral Sent:  June 2014  Orientation TWH:  Sept 17, 2014 Social Worker:  Oct 6, 2014 Nurse Practitioner:  Nov 10, 2014 NUT Class: Nov 11, 2014 PYSCH:  Nov 19, 2014 Dietician:  Nov. 21, 2014 Surgeon: Jan 16, 2015 Surgery: Feb 3rd, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karen M.
on 7/23/15 7:47 am - Mississauga, Canada

You're right, low potassium (or high potassium) is a definite concern. If you haven't gone for additional blood work yet, be sure not to squeeze/pump the ball before they take it as this can skew the results.

If you are low, the doctor will likely prescribe a very potent potassium pill (beware, these are quite literally horse pills) to quickly bring it back up. The same thing happened to a friend on this forum - got a call that it was low, got a prescription for the pills, surgery went ahead as planned.

 

Karen

Ontario Recipes Forum - http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/ontario_recipes/

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