Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Anyone have bad leg cramps?



Recommended Posts

I'm 10days postop and have the worst leg cramps in my calves all day long..... I know it's not a clot cuz I was in hospital yesterday for chest pain and I'm negative for clots or leaks so was wondering if anyone had this and if so what did you do to relieve it?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

YES !!

I distinctly remember having leg cramps in my calves for 2-3 days after getting home from the hospital.

I kept walking and ensuring that I was getting in my Water and what I could of my Protein. It passed and never returned.

Weird phenomenon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Keep yourself properly hydrated and active (walking, treadmill, etc.).

If it continues, some people take magnesium or potassium supplements for leg cramps, but I would ask your surgeon or PCP first.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm 6 1/2 months out, and for the last two days, I've had excruciating cramps, not only in my calves, but in the front of my thighs. The first night of this, I was awake every 90 minutes or so, walking them out.

I talked to my boss (a physician), and took a muscle relaxer (that I already had), potassium, and some extra Calcium. I already drink about 90 ounces of Fluid a day.

Last night was better, I only woke up once, but my legs are very tight and achy today.

I'm hoping this is a temporary situation.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the same problem and was diagnosed with low potassium. They said it sometimes happens to bariatric patients and they gave me potassium pills and told me to eat food high in potassium.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I get horrible cramps in my calves, thighs, abdomen, hands and sometimes even my tongue (!). They're a side-effect of a drug I have to take. They're exacerbated whenever I'm low in electrolytes (potassium, Calcium, sodium, magnesium, etc.). It's hard to pinpoint which you're low in without a blood test. The best quick cure I can suggest is a sugar free energy drink like Powerade Zero.

In my case after months and months of trying the more likely candidates, I discovered that lack of magnesium (for me) is the culprit.

We're all losing weight. That means we pee a lot. When we pee a lot, we lose electrolytes at a higher rate--yet another reason to meet our Water requirements!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me cramps are all about the potassium dunno why. When they show up, in the past at least, i'd start eating Beans as much as possible and theyd go away.

Edited by RoscoColetrain

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

As someone else had said look at a potassium supplement. I did that for the first like 60 days after talking to my doctor about it. I stopped having crapping, achey, weak feeling legs after I did that. And I was walking daily at that time too. I was able to get at the 2 month post surgery mark about 1 1/2 miles in a day. Now 15 months out I'm getting about 3 to 5 miles of walking in a day if nothing (exercise related) else.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can also get leg cramping if you are low on Iron.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Try G2 Gatorade or Powerade Zero, until you can get to the doctor to have your potassium level checked.

Edited by 1SlimmerMe

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×