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Blood test shows low protein and potassium levels

Hi everyone... Almost six months out & my surgeon ordered blood work. My potassium is low as well as my protein levels. I was pretty surprised about the protein levels considering I use MFP everyday to be sure I get around 80 g per day. Anyone else have these issues? Do you need to take an additional supplement?

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I had low b vitamins and vit d. I was scolded and told to make sure I get my supplements in.

I take additional potassium. It seems to be a common deficiency.

I have not been tested post op yet but have never been one to take vitamins or supplements. I struggle with how many we are asked to take as I don't know why sleevers would need more than daily recommendations for anyone? I track food and vitamins on MFP. Thoughts (p art of me thinks they just want to sell me bariatric vitamins)

I have not been tested post op yet but have never been one to take Vitamins or supplements. I struggle with how many we are asked to take as I don't know why sleevers would need more than daily recommendations for anyone? I track food and vitamins on MFP. Thoughts (p art of me thinks they just want to sell me bariatric vitamins)

Vitamin supplements are not as bioavailable as getting the vitamins through food.... You're not eating much food lately.... And I haven't been told to take any special vitamins per se, just "one a day" from the drugstore.... So I don't think you NEED to take special Bariatric vitamins.

I am with you soooooooo much on hating to take them tho. My surgeon asked me if I'm getting my vitamins every day and I'm like "I um... I average taking them about 4.5 out of seven days. I am trying." He gave me a look and said to take them every day....

I couldn't take prenatals when pregnant (they made me nauseated), I couldn't stomach them when breastfeeding ('til now, and Baby is almost 1.5 yrs)..... I TRY. But they're gross and my stomach turns, especially with Iron supplements (which I KNOW I need)..... YUCK!! So I get a week where I take them every day and then I forget a day and then I take them three days then forget another day..... And overall I'd say 4.5/7 is my average for the last 2 months. ;) I got a bunch of pill keepers and sorted out daily doses of vitamins for a month and I carry those little carriers around with me, and I try to remember to take them with my morning meds...

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Thanks- I do take Bariatric Fusion regularly and it does contain potassium iodide, but maybe not enough? According to MFP, my goal for potassium is 3500mg daily, don't think I could hit that mark if I tried with my diet. My dr ordered another blood test to see if the original test was a fluke so we'll see. Still wondering about my protein levels& why they would be low considering that I get around 80g each day.

  • Author

Vitamin supplements are not as bioavailable as getting the vitamins through food.... You're not eating much food lately.... And I haven't been told to take any special vitamins per se, just "one a day" from the drugstore.... So I don't think you NEED to take special Bariatric vitamins. I am with you soooooooo much on hating to take them tho. My surgeon asked me if I'm getting my vitamins every day and I'm like "I um... I average taking them about 4.5 out of seven days. I am trying." He gave me a look and said to take them every day.... I couldn't take prenatals when pregnant (they made me nauseated), I couldn't stomach them when breastfeeding ('til now, and Baby is almost 1.5 yrs)..... I TRY. But they're gross and my stomach turns, especially with iron supplements (which I KNOW I need)..... YUCK!! So I get a week where I take them every day and then I forget a day and then I take them three days then forget another day..... And overall I'd say 4.5/7 is my average for the last 2 months. ;) I got a bunch of pill keepers and sorted out daily doses of vitamins for a month and I carry those little carriers around with me, and I try to remember to take them with my morning meds...

Thanks, elfnow... I decided to go with bariatric fusion because I was trying to minimize the # of pills my dr was telling me to take and the frequency throughout the day, which, knowing myself, I wouldn't keep up with. For me, keeping it simple is best but it looks like I'll need potassium unless there's another multivitamin out there that contains more of it... My doctor's office does sell it, and although it's a lot cheaper through them. I want to trust that they are right but I did wonder if the formulation/quality was that much better, or just a way to keep patients coming back to their office....

I also did not take prenatals due to nausea. Even with the bariatric vitamins they want me to take 3 a day!#! Plus 1500 mg calcium. I take the iron before I go to bedcso thst helps.

I had to take a liquid potassium supplement for a couple weeks after surgery (low potassium and magnesium were causing some heart arrhythmias and tachycardia). Let me just say that liquid potassium is the devil! I despised it and dreaded both times each day that I had to take it. I got retested and my levels were ok so I am hoping they stay that way until I can start eating food and getting my nutrients that way. I hope you can get yours where it needs to be without the liquid supplement.

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