Are we at risk like Terry Schiavo?

Hi all, I don't want to post anything too controversial, so please stick to this topic... I know Terry ended up in the state she's in because she was anorexic and had an electrolyte inbalance. More to the point, she was deficient in potassium which caused her heart to stop beating. So I am wondering if there's any type of potassium supplement WE should be taking to make sure this doesn't happen to us. I know bananas are a good source, but honestly I can't eat a whole banana and would that even provide the amount we need to stay healthy considering we don't absorb everything we eat? I looked at my multi-vitamin, no potassium. My protein drink (ISOPURE) has only 1% of the recommended daily value. Has anyone heard whether this is something we should be concerned with??? I know her situation was a bit different because most of us are eating a balanced diet, but still... it's kind of scary! I don't want to put myself at risk for heart failure by not eating something simple like that. Let me know! Thanks, Dawn

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE ANSWER FOR US, BUT AS FOR MYSELF I DRINK AT LEAST 1 SPORTS DRINK A DAY BECAUSE IT HAS THE ELECTROLYTES AND POTASSIUM IN IT THAT WE NEED...I FEEL THIS WAY THAT IF NOTHING ELSE I WON'T RUN THE RISK OF GETTING DEHYDRATED AS EASILY AS SOME PEOPLE I KNOW DO THAT HAVE HAD THE WLS, AND EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. HOPE THIS HELPS!! BARB

Before WLS, my regular doctor was very concerned about my low potassium level. It runs in my family and even relatives that did not struggle with their weight had to take extra supplements. Since WLS, I have been taking vitamins regularly and watching my diet closely. I am healthier than ever, and my doctor has the blood test results to prove it. He's thrilled with my progress and monitors me closely. I do not know the details of Terri's imbalance that led to her heart attack, but from what I understand about heart attacks, it could happen to anyone at any time.....healthy or not. This is a terrible thing for Terri, her parents, her family, and her husband. I don't think there are any winners here---no matter how it ends. But, I do not believe that we need to live in fear of becoming catatonic like Terri because of an imbalance created by our WLS. If we follow our doctor's advice, we stand as good a chance as anyone of living a long and healthy life. ~Laura

Actually Terry was not anorexic she was bulimic. The constant forced vomiting is very hard on the heart, and the electrolytes. So unless you are sticking your finger down your throat after each meal, you are not at risk. Sorry to be so blunt but if you are eating a well balanced diet and not doing anything to endanger yourself physically (like forced vomiting) then you really don't have anything to worry about. Just remember the rule of protein first and you will be ok. Greg