RNY...2 years out+ Metabolism and feeling cold
I asked my Dr. about feeling cold all the time after RNY. This was asked in a large support group meeting. He said this is common and that usually after the second winter for most people the feeling goes away somewhat. He said the obvious about the loss of body fat and insulation. He also said your metabolism takes awhile to recover, usually 18-24 months. Can anyone who is at least 18 months out respond how you are doing in this area. I posted this on the main board, but it is getting so big that your post is off the first page in about 2 hours...Brian in Turlock, CA
on 4/15/07 6:49 am - MO
Hey Brian,
I can't speak from personal experience but most of the men in here report feeling the same way as you do. I asked my PCP about it and she didn't know. I think your doctor is pretty well right. DX will come in and give you his wisdom, he's the resident information/experience guy.
Good luck!
Bob.
on 4/15/07 8:09 am - Houston, TX
Hey Brian, Cold After RNY and Weight Loss? Yep. Can be from simple drop of Insulation, During rapid weightloss it can even be from drop in resting metabolic rate. I’m coming up on year 4 post-op, and I’m not "cold all the time" But I don’t live a life of seating through shirts and sweaty hair 24/7 either. The difference in the past and present may seem like I’m cooler all the time, But only in contrast to how I used to be. Follow? Around year two post-op it did level out for me. I’m cool when those other normal people around me are And warm when they are as well. This is in marked contrast to how I was at nearly 400 pounds. IF, you are remarkably cold (unlike other normal-sized folk around you)
Then it could be an indicator for a problem. Some of the ones that do hit RNY Post-ops include- Low Iron Level….Have you had this checked? Don’t just ‘up your iron’ without Dr.’s Orders. Too much can screw you worse than too little. Enough B-Vitamins? Blood levels checked again? This is one you can self-experiment with. Get a multi-B Vitamin like a B-50 from GNC or even Wal-Greens or such. Excess B vitamins pass on through in the urine. If you haven’t been getting enough B’s, you’ll notice ‘fitter feeling’ pretty quick. How’s the B-1 and B-12 Levels? Another call for blood test. B-1? Just take a pill. B-12? Trickier. RNY’s don’t process the B-12 due to the way the stomach is "re-worked." Just taking a B-12 tablet is as effective as throwing it straight into the toilet. You’d need to use the "Sub-Lingual" version or get B-12 injections to actually metabolize the B-12. That’s one to keep a close eye on. Leads to pernicious anemia which can begin as cold extremities and quickly advance to neuropathy. Once the damage is done, you’re screwed. B-12 is also one of the B-Vitamins that no one has ever "O-D’ed" on. If you get "Too much" it just passes out in your P.
If you are feeling cold when those around you don’t seem to,
Schedule a blood work up, And in the meanwhile up your B vitamins.
Hope this helps….
(or at least I hope we matched or bettered the Main Board with the answers here)
Best Wishes-
Dx
320 Then / 180 now
