Question:
My question is similar to the lady w/the large ankles.

My question is similar to the lady w/the large ankles. I am 8 days post op from gastric banding and I was wondering if anyone had problems w/their potassium levels being too low before surgery and then no comments were made after surgery but my legs, feet and ankles are still really swollen again and I am back to taking 2 Lasix and 2 Poatassium pills a day and they are still just as swollen. The day I was scheduled to have surgery my potassium level read 3.2, so they fed me through iv's, 4 bags of potassium throughout til the next day. Each bag takes 4 hours to empty and your hand and arm feels like it is on fire and going to fall off your body, which I did complain and the nurses said everyone complains and says the same thing, but they would dilute with some of the electrolytes and slow the pulsing of it entering my veins down some, which would help. I am just wondering if anyone out there has gone through this and if so, is there an easier way to get the swelling down or other medications which don't make you spend hours in the bathroom urinating this out, and how long can I expect this to continue. The potassium pills are monstrous and they crumble but do not dissolve in hot liquids. With this swelling on my first week post op visit it appeared I had gained all my weight back from before I had lost my 11 pounds pre op? The Dr. didn't say a word about this, as I was really concerned with my whole stomach in pain, which he did a CT scan and said I had a 3" depth bruising all around my whole stomach, which would take 6-8 weeks to heal and my stomach would probably turn black, as I would heal from the inside out. He did give me some pain medication, as the Dr. sent me home from the hospital without any because I was on Hydrocodone previously for my arthritis in my knee and he said that would be good enough. (It was not, but he was not my surgeon or regular Dr. either?) I am not diabetic and have undergone many pulmonary and cardiovascular tests previously for the swelling and shortness of breath, but all tests came back normal? Another thing, I don't even salt my foods? Any ideas will be greatly appreciated, as this faster healing surgery is turning into a long, painful, and depressing recovery. :(    — premenewme (posted on December 29, 2007)

December 30, 2007
Talk with your Dr. There are other diuretics that are potassium sparing available. Donna, Indiana
   — Donna O.

December 31, 2007
I too had problems with fluid, both up and down. I agree with the other response...ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is something else you can take to help with the fluid. I know the fluid accumulation was tough in my legs and feet after the potassium and ivs, too. The fluid may partly be from the ivs and immobility and as you get up and move around more, it will start to be reabsorbed. Good luck! Julie D
   — JulieJD