pre op diet causing leg cramps

Patti C · June 21, 2007

I have been on my low fat low calorie liquid diet for one week. I am having a terible time with leg cramps! They get worse every night. I had to fast for a series of blood work this morning and I hurt all over. I think my potasium level might have gone low. I know I am not suppose to, but I ate 2 bananas today. I wasn't able to call the doctor today, but tomorrow I will. Has anyone else had this problem on the pre-op diet? Thanks for the info. Patti C

joanne1970 · June 21, 2007

I havent but low K+ sounds like th eproblem maybe the doc will put you on a supp. Good luck

MsPris · June 22, 2007

Patti: I used to suffer from such painful leg cramps they would wake me out of my sleep. My doctor suggested I try quinine Water. Did the trick. I'd ask your doctor if he'd recommend it for you. I buy the diet quinine. Not too bad. Good Luck! Hope they go away, there's nothing worse.

Jachut · June 22, 2007

I'd bring it up with your doc, and I would have eaten the bananas too. I've only suffered with leg cramps during one of my 3 pregnancies and it wasnt fun.

Those pre-op diets - they're only the lesser of two evils really. You dont want to go into surgery with your liver enlarged and fatty, but boy they're not very good for you in general. Way too extreme for average weight loss needs.

Patti C · June 22, 2007

Thanks for the support. I seem to be doing much better after that first day. The cramps in my legs are finally letting up. Thank goodness! I have ate one banana a day and started taking potasium once a day. My pre-op is for 4 weeks so I know it will be a long haul. My doctor said we could have a little fresh or frozen fruit with my shakes, so I am claiming my banana as that. I will make it cause this is my life saving statement and I am going to do it right!

Thanks again for writing me back. There are some really good people on the site.

Patti C

sniggle · June 22, 2007

My mother read in Dear Abby a while back about putting a few small bars of hand soap under your sheets at night helps leg cramps. I've been doing that for about 3 months now and it truly does work. Wierd I know, but worth a try for you!

Patti C · June 23, 2007

What would there be about hand soap under the sheets? I am kinda dense, but I don't get any connection. I will tell you that it is worth a try cause those leg cramps are very painful.

Patti C