Question:
Does WLS cause Low pottasium

   — Paulette G. (posted on December 8, 2003)

December 7, 2003
Well, the easy answer to this is, no. WLS doesnt cause low potassium. Not eating enough foods with potassium causes low potassium. Having said that, I believe some people have episodes of low potassium levels because of diet, especially since we focus so much on protein.
   — LMCLILLY

December 7, 2003
Hi Paulette, I am 100% with Lisa. One of the problems we have regarding potassium, is that many of us didn't drink enough water when we we were heavy, we also ate alot so we got in potassium ever day. Post op we are more prone to drink more than the recommended amounts and we flush the potassium out of our system without replensihing it with potassium rich foods. I have had a number of low-potassium problems since surgery and ended up back in my cardiologists office at one point because of the low potassium. He had me add 1 glass of low-sodium V8 every other day to keep my potassium levels on track.
   — M B.

December 8, 2003
Didn't know if these would apply to you but thought they were worth adding in. Prednisone can cause a low potassium and this is a common side effect of chronic administration of the drug. Other causes of low potassium are kidney disease, diuretics (fluid pills), uncontrolled diabetes, chronic vomiting, laxative abuse and chronic diarrhea, also sweating excessively due to heat. Dehydration can also be a cause, so be sure you are getting enough fluids.<BR><BR> Foods high in potassium are: one-half cup of orange juice, one large banana, one baked potato, one-half winter squash, one cup tomato juice, one cup vegetable juice cocktail, one-half cup avocado, one-half cup cooked dried beans and one tablespoon black strap molasses.<BR><BR> Additional foods that are moderately high in potassium are: 100% bran cereals, dried fruit (apricots, dates, peaches, figs, prunes, raisins), meat (beef, chicken, halibut, pork, salmon, veal), cantaloupe, milk, grapefruit juice, lima beans, mushrooms (canned), parsnips, peanut butter, pineapple juice, plums, spinach, watermelon, yams and yogurt. A wide variety of foods have potassium in them. If you eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods, you would normally eat enough foods high in potassium.<BR><BR> Potassium is necessary for water balance and is found inside of every cell in your body. The potassium inside the cells balances the sodium outside the cells to maintain pressure and water balance in the body. Otherwise, if either the potassium or the sodium is high or either low or one high and the other one low, a pooling of water or dehydration can occur. Symptoms of low potassium levels are tiredness, muscle weakness and heart muscle irritability
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 8, 2003
My potassium has been lo since having surgery- but I'm sure this is due to my food choices....I can tell when its lo because I get HORRIBLE leg cramps at night- everyone told me to eat a banana or drink a little OJ. I actually went out and bought some suppliments-
   — WABBIT F.

December 8, 2003
I know that I have had a problem with low potassium every since my surgery. Bananas are a good sourse.
   — raleah