post-op death - Page 4 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

poet_kelly · 10-16-2009, 10:58 AM

Hmm, you're right, they don't have it. Neither does Bariatric Advantage. Maybe multivitamins don't normally have potassium?

I would not be that concerned. When you have blood work done, they should test your potassium. Then you'll know if you need more. If you have symptoms of low potassium before you will be getting labs done, then ask your doctor to test it sooner. Obviously it can be very dangerous if it's too low, but I don't think it is something we have to really worry about a lot.

Kelly

bezobraz · 10-16-2009, 04:48 PM

Our muscles need potassium to contract. Hart is our most important muscle so when potassium goes really low person can go into cardiac arrest and die.

Sounds like this poor woman had some complications that could be surgery related.

For example low potassium can be caused by excessive diarrhea or vomiting. It also can be caused by leukemia or kidney decease.

Kelly, do you mind asking sister of the lady that had died to give more details? It is an important information for all people that are going to have surgery.

Could you also give us link to this forum?

WLS is not an easy or safe. But it is important to have information and be able to advocate for yourself post-op.

Low Potassium Symptoms:
Weakness, tiredness, or cramping in arm or leg muscles, sometimes severe enough to cause inability to move arms or legs due to weakness (much like a paralysis)
Tingling or numbness
Nausea or vomiting
Abdominal cramping, bloating
Constipation
Palpitations (feeling your heart beat irregularly)
Passing large amounts of urine or feeling very thirsty most of the time
Fainting due to low blood pressure
Abnormal psychological behavior: depression, psychosis, delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.

-tonya

bezobraz · 10-16-2009, 04:59 PM

People in average tend to have slightly low potassium level. Bananas can be a source of potassium. But some of us can't eat bananas.

There a less known vegetable that is very reach in potassium - BEETS.

I love beets, and I often make salads and soups with beets. I will post a couple easy beet recipes in Nutrition forum.

Although, I think that when potassium is seriously/dangerously low then food is not an option anymore

-tonya

twizlerbabe20 · 10-16-2009, 05:14 PM

they checked my potassium in the hospital and even gave me a bag of vitamins with added potassium (burned while goin in)

LyndasRoom · 10-16-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poet_kelly

There is this other WLS forum I post on sometimes, and there is a woman there who had surgery around the beginning of September. Tonight her sister posted to let people know that she passed away at the beginning of October from surgery-related complications. I did not really know her, but I feel really shaken by it.

I don't know many details, but apparently she was not feeling well and told her surgeon she felt poorly. I'm not sure what her symptoms were or what her surgeon did. But apparently her potassium had dropped dangerously low and he did not check that. She ended up going into cardiac arrest. They took her to the hospital, I assume by ambulance, where they checked her potassium and discovered how low it was. She coded again and they resucitated her, but in the end she didn't make it. Her sister is very angry that the surgeon didn't check her potassium in the first place, but I have no idea if that's something that should have been checked or if it was some unusual complication that would be easy to miss or what.

Like I said, I did not really know her, but I still feel very shaken by the news of her death. She has three small children she leaves behind. I am reminded of how lucky I am to have come through the surgery with what few complications I did have, and I am reminded of how risky this surgery can be. Yes, most people come through it fine. But some people don't. And leave behind little children and sisters who will mourn them forever.

Nothing like a little reminder of our own mortality, huh?

Kelly

How devastating...I know I took the risk with the surgery hoping it would improve the lives of my family as well as my own. I hope the bariatric community can learn from deaths like this...there is always more to be learned in this process.

poet_kelly · 10-16-2009, 05:25 PM

Here is the link: Becky Kimbell Death

Her sister has not been back to respond to any of the posts, so I don't know if I'll have an opportunity to ask for any further details. And I don't really know her and I don't want to bug her in her time of grief, you know? I do hope she at least comes back to read the posts, because a lot of people are thinking of her and praying for her, and I hope that would be some small comfort to her.

Kelly