Ensuring Nutritional Wellness After Bariatric Surgery: The Importance of Coordinated Blood Work Review by Your Bariatric Team and Primary Care Physician
Disclaimer:
I am not a medical professional. The content shared in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical concerns or before making changes to your health routine.
Additionally, this post may contain affiliate links. If you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services I genuinely believe in and think may be helpful to you. Thank you for your support!
Following my recent bariatric surgery, my primary care physician raised concerns after reviewing two consecutive blood tests showing low potassium levels. Initially, we took a conservative approach—focusing on increasing potassium intake through dietary sources. Despite incorporating more potassium-rich foods, my lab results remained unchanged.
This prompted a deeper look into the broader picture of electrolyte balance. I began to consider the intricate relationship between potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the body. While my magnesium and calcium levels appeared normal on standard serum tests, I questioned how accurately these tests reflect total body stores, given that the majority of both minerals are stored in muscle tissue and bone.
Rather than relying solely on potassium supplementation (in the form of Potassium Chloride, Klor-Con M10), I decided to take a more integrative approach. I introduced Magnesium Glycinate (via Nature’s Bounty capsule) in the morning and Magnesium Citrate (via a Calm drink mix) in the evening into my daily routine.
Three months later, the results spoke for themselves—both my potassium and magnesium levels had normalized. However, the journey wasn’t without unexpected side effects. Shortly after starting magnesium supplementation, I experienced episodes of lightheadedness and hand tremors during the day. After researching and consulting with both my bariatric team and primary care provider, we identified the likely cause: hypoglycemia.
Magnesium can enhance the effects of certain diabetes medications and insulin sensitivity, potentially increasing the risk of low blood sugar. My care team advised me to manage these symptoms by keeping snacks, juice, or glucose tablets on hand until my body adjusted to the new magnesium levels.
Fortunately, within a few days, the symptoms subsided. I now carry a small snack with me as a precaution. An added benefit of this electrolyte correction was a noticeable improvement in my blood pressure, which allowed me to reduce my antihypertensive medications by half—with hopes of discontinuing them entirely in the near future.
This experience reinforced the importance of a holistic, team-based approach to post-bariatric care. Electrolyte imbalances can be complex, and addressing one deficiency in isolation may not be sufficient. Collaboration between your bariatric team and primary care provider is essential for interpreting lab results and tailoring a treatment plan that supports long-term health.
Have you experienced something similar? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.